People With These Health Conditions Should Avoid Intermittent Fasting
Weight Loss Diet: Intermittent fasting can be fantastic if done right. But it is not suitable for everyone.
People have become health conscious these days. With so much information available on the internet or even on social media, everyone is ready to try new things. One such popular eating pattern is known as intermittent fasting. It is basically a pattern of eating that involves alternating periods of fasting (staying away from food for certain hours in a day) and eating. Well, most commonly, people do it with an aim of shedding those extra kilos. However, irrespective of all this, each and every diet plan or trend comes with its sets of pros and cons. Similarly, intermittent fasting is not meant for everyone. In fact, you must avoid it if you are facing some other health issues including PCOS, diabetes, and others.
Irrespective of what’s ‘trending’, or of the fabulous results you hear/see, you must speak to your doctor first! Intermittent fasting is fantastic for your health if done right.” But she states, “Not everyone is a candidate for it. In fact, I see cases every day where Intermittent Fasting has caused hormonal disruption in patients, hence causing more harm than good.”
Any particular trend or fad (not that intermittent fasting is a fad) can work for everyone. There are always exceptions, that’s what medicine is about because no two human bodies are the same.
But the group of people who definitely need to do it under supervision, if at all, are people with hormonal issues. They should do Intermittent Fasting only under guidance.
These groups of people should not follow Intermittent Fasting without supervision:
People with hormonal conditions like diabetics or PCOS
If you’ve got thyroid fluctuations
Women who are peri-menopausal etc.
Pregnant and lactating women should also avoid it. However, if you are doing it, take guidance from your doctor
If there’s anybody with a history of eating disorders, for example, bulimic or anorexic, please, intermittent fasting is not meant for you. So, don’t try it,
“I go a step ahead and tell my patients that even healthy individuals should not do Intermittent Fasting all seven days of the week.”
“I restrict it to 5 days at best. This allows your body to be ‘metabolically flexible,'”
“If you want to do Intermittent Fasting for health benefits- and there are tons of them when done correctly, I strongly recommend you consult an expert and devise a plan suitable for you.”
There are certain individuals who should avoid intermittent fasting, including:
- Children and adolescents: Intermittent fasting may not be appropriate for these age groups as they are still growing and developing.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Intermittent fasting may not provide enough nutrients for the developing fetus or baby.
- People with type 1 diabetes: Intermittent fasting may make it difficult to manage blood sugar levels.
- Individuals with a history of disordered eating: Intermittent fasting may trigger disordered eating patterns or exacerbate existing ones.
- People who are underweight or have a low body weight: Intermittent fasting may not be appropriate as it may lead to further weight loss.
- People with a history of malnutrition or malabsorption: Intermittent fasting may not provide enough nutrients to sustain health.
- People with any medical condition that requires frequent eating to manage symptoms: Intermittent fasting may not be appropriate as it may exacerbate symptoms.
It’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before starting any new diet or exercise program, including intermittent fasting.