Unlocking the Relationship Between Intermittent Fasting and Its Effects On Women’s Health and Hormones

Intermittent fasting is popular for drastic weight loss. It has numerous effects on the body apart from this including cognitive function improvement, stamina, motivation increase, and boosting energy levels. This diet seems very promising; however, it does not benefit everyone. Studies show that some people have reported experiencing negative effects from engaging in intermittent fasting, especially when it comes to female hormones. This could lead to early menopause and even reproductive system issues. This article will help you identify some of the pros and cons of practicing this diet as a woman.

How Does It Work?

This type of fasting requires a person to fast for up to forty-eight hours and rely on liquids solely. Afterward, a person can then have an eating window. There are various methods of intermittent fasting and some seem more intense in comparison to others. Below are some of the positive effects of practicing this diet we have seen at our office Jones Family Chiropractic.

It boosts neurotrophic growth factor production. This relieves a person from brain-related issues such as neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and depression.

It improves the insulin sensitivity for overweight women.
It reduces inflammation and oxidative stress.
It increases the response to cell stress.
It boosts energy levels in the body.
It increases lean body mass.
It helps sustainable weight loss.
It helps stabilize and regulate hormonal imbalance.

On the other, women are very sensitive to this diet because this diet depends on starvation signs. This is because the female body is wired to increase its production of hunger hormones when it senses that it is about to experience famine. These hormones include leptin and ghrelin. In addition to this, the body shuts down the reproductive system when it senses that there is food scarcity. This protects the body from potential pregnancy. Thus, for women, the following are some of the negative effects of practicing intermittent fasting that we have seen in our office here in Elizabeth City, NC:

Issues with sleeping patterns
Fertility issues
Depression and anxiety
Ovary shrinkage
Metabolic stress
Amenorrhea and irregular periods

The woman’s body experiences a domino effect. When a hormone is not functioning as it is supposed to, the others are thrown off. This includes blood pressure, metabolism, digestion, and even the energy levels in the body. However, with all these setbacks, intermittent fasting could still help you reach your goals comfortably. You can engage in it without disrupting your hormones.

Tips for Women On How to Go About Their Intermittent Fasting

You need to approach intermittent fasting in a relaxed way. Apply the following guidelines:

• Stick to light exercises on the days that you practice fasting. These exercises include gentle stretching, jogging, walking, and yoga.
• Drink a lot of fluids when you fast such as water, herbal tea, and bone broth.
• On the first two to three weeks of fasting, make sure that you do not follow up your fasting on consecutive days. For example, if you begin with a sixteen-hour fast, practice this for three days and not the entire week.
• Do not fast for more than twenty-four hours until you have done intermittent fasting for several months
• Regulate your fasting days to twelve and sixteen hours