Inflammation is a natural process, essential for your body’s defense against harmful invaders.
But when inflammation becomes chronic, it can spiral out of control, leaving your health in jeopardy.
In our modern world, short-term inflammation has become rare.
Instead, many people experience persistent, low-level inflammation that quietly paves the way for serious diseases like diabetes.
The good news is that there’s a simple way to counteract this.
You can calm inflammation while also supporting your blood sugar levels by trying intermittent fasting.
Intermittent fasting might sound intimidating at first, but it’s much easier than you might think, and the rewards are worth it.
Researchers at the Intermountain Healthcare Heart Institute recently conducted a fascinating study on intermittent fasting.
The study involved 67 patients with high LDL cholesterol and diabetes, divided into two groups.
After 22 weeks, they transitioned to fasting one day a week.
One group practiced fasting two days a week for four weeks, consuming only water.
The results were remarkable.
The participants who fasted showed improvements in insulin resistance and higher levels of a substance called galectin-3.
Galectin-3 plays a significant role in soothing inflammation, making it an important ally for better health.
Raising galectin-3 levels naturally leads to a reduction in inflammation, helping to protect your body from long-term damage.
If the idea of fasting feels overwhelming, you’re not alone.
Many people are apprehensive about skipping meals.
But there are ways to make it more manageable.
One approach is to have dinner around 5 or 6 PM, then avoid eating until dinnertime the following day.
This method often feels less challenging than skipping an entire day’s worth of meals.
Another option is to compress your eating schedule.
Instead of eating throughout the day, you can set aside a specific window of time for meals.
Most people eat over 14 to 16 hours a day, but even reducing that to a 10-hour window counts as intermittent fasting.
You may experience mild side effects when starting, such as headaches, irritability, or digestive discomfort.
Other temporary symptoms might include bad breath, a metallic taste in your mouth, or skin issues like acne.
These side effects typically subside within a day or two as your body adjusts.
Intermittent fasting isn’t just about skipping meals—it’s about giving your body the chance to heal and reset.
By making small, deliberate changes to your eating habits, you can take control of inflammation and support your overall health.