I think when most of us are initially attracted to the Galveston Diet it is for the incredible weight loss results that have been experienced by thousands of pre, during, and post-menopausal women. However, in addition to this attractive benefit of incorporating the Galveston Diet to one’s lifestyle, there is plenty of research that is pointing to the health benefits of intermittent fasting (IF). That’s right – even when you attain your desired weight fasting is still greatly beneficial to your health. Below I have highlighted the most prominent, among many other, findings in recent research:
- Fasting improves neural connections & protects against the accumulation of amyloid plaques. Amyloid plaques are clumps of misfolded proteins in the brain that are very dangerous when accumulated. The formation of amyloid plaques naturally increases as we age, but intermittent fasting may beneficially decrease this rate. As a result, those who practice IF also have fewer signs of depression, improved cognitive functions (primarily memory), and decreased prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Obviously, there are many factors that come into play but wouldn’t you rather make preventative changes to your lifestyle now to decrease your risk of developing these conditions? I sure would.
- Fasting enhances neural plasticity of mitochondrial networks. In plain English, IF allows for your brain to stay adaptable and flexible, something that naturally diminishes with age and eventually leads to age-related diseases. The mitochondrial network encompasses the processes that allow cells to efficiently use energy to perform their daily functions. Using IF to preserve the adaptability of these mitochondrial networks increases one’s lifespan by simply reducing the likelihood of age-related diseases.
- Intermittent fasting leads to weight loss which promotes healthy aging, especially in menopause and post-menopause women. When the body is in a fasted state, the body obtains energy from fatty acids as opposed to glucose. As a result, fat preserves are burned while lean muscle mass is not. This is a huge motivator for menopausal/post-menopausal women given a primary symptom associated with menopause, and aging in general, is loss of muscle. In addition to incorporating strength-based (as opposed to solely cardio) exercise into your daily routine, IF can be used to combat the inevitable muscle loss associated with aging.
Make a conscious effort to promote your overall health sooner rather than later. There is so much research highlighting the benefits of intermittent fasting. The Galveston Diet was developed based on observable, concrete evidence; I encourage you to give it a try- take a step in the right direction and prioritize your health and wellness.
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