Contrary to popular recommendations to eat smaller, more frequent meals, new research suggests that a short, periodic fast (called “intermittent fasting”) might actually rev up your fat-burning machinery while helping you control glucose and insulin. Important hormonal changes mean that you might lose more fat and gain more muscle, all by skipping a few meals.  Some data show that Intermittent  fasting, when done properly, might help extend life, regulate blood glucose, control blood lipids, manage body weight, gain (or maintain) lean mass, and more.There is no conclusiveness to the research on intermittent fasting, but honestly there doesn’t likely need to be.  In my opinion “conclusive” will always be somewhat unachievable and unrealistic when it comes to human nutrition.  For some people it will be a wise approach that will lead to better health while for others intermittent fasting will be the wrong approach.Elusive ConclusivenessThere is too much individuality and variability in humanity to make any one approach the answer for everyone.  From omnivorism vs. veganism to intermittent fasting, this is one truth that becomes apparent the more you investigate nutrition.  We all come from a line of genes that are built on highly diverse diets based on your ancestral geography.  And chances are good that it will be very different from the person next to you.  Espousing one approach as the correct way for all humans will always be wrong.Traditional Doesn’t Necessarily Make it RightYes, the idea that we should return to our roots and eat “paleo,” run barefoot, and eat less often all have a certain appeal.  But we have to be very careful with this line of thinking.  I’m guessing that we’re not going stop bathing, using deodorant, or using cell phones are we?  Not everything we used to do as cavemen is practical – or even smart – anymore. We have evolved. It doesn’t mean we should ignore our evolutionary history, but it also doesn’t mean we should devolve and embrace everything from the paleo period of human history.This is Your Brain on CaloriesSometimes I think I know too much about how the brain works.

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Intermittent Fasting – Blogs – Discovery Channel