Semi-Broscience approach to Fasting.

[WubWubz]

Read through some articles and gathered this...

When the body is fasted (hasn't eaten in several hours), certain hormones are elevated that promote the breakdown of fat. Also, in a fasted state, the body upregulates production of desnutrin, or ATGL. ATGL is a newly discovered/understood enzyme that helps to facilitate the breakdown of fat into usable energy. Not eating increases ATGL and other fat destroying enzymes/hormones. Eating, on the other hand, increases the amount/concentration of insulin in the body, which does two things- Turns "off" the production of ATGL, and turns "on" an enzyme known as AdPLA. Before we get into that tho, you have to know what PGE2 is. PGE2 is a molecule that slows down fat loss on a molecular level by degrading, or lowering levels of, a chemical called cAMP. cAMP is a chemical "messenger" that basically tells fat molecules within the fat cell to get the **** on and get useful somewhere. Now...PGE2 is produced by...yep, AdPLA (ughhhhh...molecule abbvs...) which starts producing the PGE2 when insulin concentrations are high (ie: after eating). So, I think it can be fair to say that someone wanting to lose fat would want a high level of cAMP as often as possible, which can only be maintained by keeping low level of PGE2.

"But Wubzy," you say, "what does all this really mean?"

Well reader...it's okay. Your cries are elaborated upon.

Well, basically, in theory it means that fasting, or NOT eating 5-6 small meals a day is an effective fat loss technique for 2 reasons.

1- ATG levels in the body remain at higher levels for longer periods of time

and

2- PGE2 stays at low levels and, adversely affects our good frend cAMP.

Idk....I'm no physician or nutritionist...or even a college grad, but after doing some reading I've decided that drinking alot of water and eating small amounts once a day would be pretty effective for someone really heavy to lose a good amount of fat without having to worry about eating a bit every 2-3 hours.

None of it matters tho, all that matters is CALORIES IN v.s. ENERGY OUT

[kevsworld]

I'm now a huge fan of intermittent fasting for fat loss. You are correct, the body does respond to a temporary fast by elevating certain hormones responsible for mobilizing and burning fat. And yes, meal frequency is irrelevant for fat loss.

http://musclereview.net/6-meals-a-da...-and-fat-loss/

The potential problem with your theory is compliance. An obese person may simply find himself/herself unable to only eat one small meal a day. But yes--it would definitely work. A protein sparing modified fast is based on this principle--the dieter would eat very low calories, most of which would come from fat.

[WubWubz]

"The potential problem is compliance."


Isn't it always? haha

[E90335i]

IF works for a lot of people, but those people have the discipline to last the few weeks it takes to adjust your body to your new eating habits.
The small and frequent meals are for people who cannot control their cravings. 95% of America.

[kevsworld]

IF works for a lot of people, but those people have the discipline to last the few weeks it takes to adjust your body to your new eating habits.
The small and frequent meals are for people who cannot control their cravings. 95% of America.

Compliance can also be an issue with small frequent meals. Most of us have limited time/energy to prepare meals.

[DoubleChub]

Compliance can also be an issue with small frequent meals. Most of us have limited time/energy to prepare meals.

exactly, from personal experience, after the 4th day or so of preparing twice as many meals, it gets annoying. I have found that simply not eating breakfast until 10:30am, my meals are very controllable to 10:30, 2:30 and 6:30.( reg day is Wake up at 5:30am, gym at 5:30pm, dinner at 6:30-7pm.) so far this plan of mine is working a lot better than the frequent meal plan (i was always thinking about food because i was eating every 2 hours, so i was always hungry).

[bigmikey81]

I love IF. I could care less about if it is 5% more or less effective than a 6 meal per day diet for losing weight. It comes down to convenience and satiety for me.

I prepare far less meals and don't have to look at the clock constantly for my next meal, which will be unsatisfying. I can leave the house without a protein bar for fear of missing a meal.

I have zero hunger cravings at night, which is the time of day that most people cheat and spoil their efforts. I loathed this time of day on 6 meals per day. Now I'm so full I can't even think of eating.

I can go out to dinner with friends and family and enjoy the experience.

The ancillary benefits of IF far exceed the 6 meal a day routine. I don't know how long I could last at 6 meals per day (maybe a few months tops), but I know I can do IF forever.

[kevsworld]

Agreed--this is why intermittent fasting is my favorite way to stay lean now.

http://musclereview.net/intermittent-fasting/

[jmlenz]

I love IF. I could care less about if it is 5% more or less effective than a 6 meal per day diet for losing weight. It comes down to convenience and satiety for me.

I prepare far less meals and don't have to look at the clock constantly for my next meal, which will be unsatisfying. I can leave the house without a protein bar for fear of missing a meal.

I have zero hunger cravings at night, which is the time of day that most people cheat and spoil their efforts. I loathed this time of day on 6 meals per day. Now I'm so full I can't even think of eating.

I can go out to dinner with friends and family and enjoy the experience.

The ancillary benefits of IF far exceed the 6 meal a day routine. I don't know how long I could last at 6 meals per day (maybe a few months tops), but I know I can do IF forever.

Well said, I agree 1000%

[2260]

Here here. The best thing for me is the extra amount of time I have. In my past life I'd be either thinking about food or preparing a meal every hour. Now I'm so much more productive!

[ryancarlos]

I can't wait until I lose enough weight around my pancreas to be able to try IF, until then low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) ruins it for me..

[lssanchez]

Completely agree! I'm no longer hungry is have cravings except for the occasional desire to eat before my first meal. There are times when I eat because I had to complete the calories of the day. That's sweet!

I love IF. I could care less about if it is 5% more or less effective than a 6 meal per day diet for losing weight. It comes down to convenience and satiety for me.

I prepare far less meals and don't have to look at the clock constantly for my next meal, which will be unsatisfying. I can leave the house without a protein bar for fear of missing a meal.

I have zero hunger cravings at night, which is the time of day that most people cheat and spoil their efforts. I loathed this time of day on 6 meals per day. Now I'm so full I can't even think of eating.

I can go out to dinner with friends and family and enjoy the experience.

The ancillary benefits of IF far exceed the 6 meal a day routine. I don't know how long I could last at 6 meals per day (maybe a few months tops), but I know I can do IF forever.