In recent years intermittent fasting gained popularity as a powerful tool for weight loss and overall wellness.
A prominent figure of this movement is Dr Eric Berg, a chiropractor and health coach who has dedicated his career to educating people about the benefits of intermittent fasting.
Meet Dr Berg
Chiropractor Dr Eric Berg is passionate about finding the underlying reasons why people get diseases, calling it his hobby.
His other passion is teaching, and apart from publishing bestsellers such as The Healthy Keto Plan he developed an extensive YouTube channel.
Dr. Berg’s journey with intermittent fasting began when he sought a solution to his own struggles with weight and health issues.
“During my college years, I lived on very cheap refined carbs, lots of coffee and absolutely no vegetables,” explains Dr Berg. “I craved and consumed jumbo-sized bags of Doritos.”
Multiple health issues started creeping into Dr Berg’s life, and he started looking for solutions. Eventually he stumbled upon the concept of intermittent fasting, and was immediately intrigued.
Through plenty of in-depth research and experimentation, he developed a comprehensive approach to intermittent fasting that combines periods of fasting with a nutritious, low carb diet rich in healthy fats.
This method is designed to help the body enter a state of ketosis, burning fat for fuel instead of glucose. This leads to increased energy levels, improved mental clarity and accelerated weight loss.
Intermittent fasting for weight loss
According to Dr Berg, intermittent fasting works and is good for you, and the science is there to back up his claim.
A study, published in Nutrition Research found that intermittent fasting stimulates metabolic and hormonal effects associated with healthy aging and longevity.
Furthermore, intermittent fasting keeps blood sugar and insulin levels low, profoundly benefitting metabolic health and significantly lowering the risk of obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
On this eating plan you also experience increased growth hormone production which aids tissue repair, muscle growth and overall health.
Some critics of intermittent fasting are concerned about nutrient deficiencies.
That is why Dr Berg recommends combining intermittent fasting with Healthy KetoⓇ, a nutritious high-fat diet that enhances the metabolic benefits of ketosis with balanced nutrition.
With Healthy Keto you are focusing on non-GMO organic vegetables, full fat organic dairy, pasture-raised eggs, game meats, wild-caught fish and grass-fed beef.
7 reasons why Dr Berg recommends intermittent fasting
- Proven weight loss.The impressive weight-loss effects of time-restricted eating have been confirmed by a randomised controlled trial published in Nutrition Journal.
The trial studied the weight-loss effects of one day of extended intermittent fasting (36 hours) per week compared to two days of extended intermittent fasting (60 hours) per week in obese adults.
After four weeks, all participants lost a significant amount of weight and reported no significant increase in hunger or cravings despite a caloric reduction of around 40%.
- Metabolic imbalances such as elevated blood glucose and insulin resistance leads to obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
According to a study in The International Journal of Obesity intermittent fasting is one of the most effective tools to significantly lower the risk of metabolic diseases.
- A healthy heart. Metabolic and cardiovascular health are closely linked, and poor metabolic function increases your risk of heart problems such as heart attacks, hypertension as well as stroke.
Studies confirmed that fasting improved heart-healthy (HDL) cholesterol and lowered ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL).
- Intermittent fasting has been found to promote liver health and could even potentially reverse fatty liver disease.
A clinical trial published in Nutrition compared the effects of a 16:8 intermittent fasting schedule (fasting for 16 hours per day) with that of a standard diet in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Significantly improved liver function was recorded in the group following the 16:8 eating schedule.
- Reduced inflammation in the body. Inflammation plays a role in immune system function and wound healing.
Chronic inflammation puts you at risk for heart disease, cancer, autoimmune diseases, liver damage, musculoskeletal conditions and mental health issues.
A laboratory study on mice concluded that mice that were fed on an intermittent fasting schedule had lower concentrations of proinflammatory compounds which cause inflammation.
These results were confirmed in human studies.
- Intermittent fasting promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in your body, potentially improving your immune system and digestive health.
One study found that just eight weeks of fasting for two days a week brought in significant changes in the microflora.
- The large variety of health benefits could see you living a longer life. As there is no way to predict how long someone will live, this is difficult to study.
However, a study did find that fasting can improve markers of aging, which protects the heart and increases blood flow to the brain – in turn potentially lengthening your life.
Final word
Dr. Berg has created a vast library of educational resources, including books, videos, and online courses.
His YouTube channel, with over 11 million subscribers, offers a wealth of information on intermittent fasting, healthy eating, and overall wellness. His goal: “I want to put people in the driver’s seat of creating health.”
With the potential benefits consistently backed by science, and Dr Berg’s information at your fingertips, a new you might just be around the corner.