“Water is the only drink for a wise man.” — Henry David Thoreau
F is for Fasting – Intermittent Fasting for Aging Well
My favorite meal of the day became the one I skip, breakfast, when I discovered coffee with cream, lost 40 lbs and found my waistline
Intermittent fasting (IF) isn’t just a trendy diet hack—it’s a legitimate strategy for aging better. At its core, IF is about timing your eating to give your body a break from constant digestion. Turns out, those breaks do a lot more than just shrink your snack bill. When you fast, your body shifts from using glucose to burning fat for energy, a state called ketosis. During this process, something fascinating happens: cells start cleaning house. This process, known as autophagy, helps clear out damaged cells and regenerates new, healthy ones. That’s a big win for longevity. Research shows IF can lower inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, and support brain health—factors that all play a role in how we age. IF isn’t a magic bullet, but it is a powerful tool that’s easy to adapt. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and you don’t have to suffer through 72-hour fasts. Common schedules like 18:6 (18 hours fasting, 6 hours eating) or even 16:8 can make a difference. The best part? You can still eat wholesome, fresh foods. Ask me how pairing IF with delicious low carb eating will make fasting simple and help maximize the benefits.
3 Easy Action Steps:
- Try a 14-hour fast to start. Stop eating after dinner (say 7 p.m.) and don’t eat again until breakfast at 9 a.m. It’s a gentle entry point.
- Drink water, coffee, or herbal tea during fasting hours. Staying hydrated curbs hunger and supports cellular cleanup.
- Skip the midnight snack. Replace it with a habit—like brushing your teeth right after dinner—to signal your brain the kitchen is closed. Or download a fasting timer app to your phone
Fasting isn’t about starving yourself. It’s about giving your body the time and space to repair itself. Aging well might be less about what you eat—and more about when you don’t.
Talk to Dr. Gillian about how to start : leave a comment about scheduling a call
or email at askdrgill@gmail.com for a link.
I’ve been doing intermittent fasting since January and my health has taken a turn for the better. I can definitely recommend it.
Ronel visiting for A-Z Challenge The Lovely and Enchanting Freyja & My Languishing TBR: F #AtoZChallenge2025 #Books #Bookreview