Resetting your metabolism is an often discussed topic with a variety of opinions. However, there is one surefire way to fire up your metabolism that works every time without fail. It is found in utilizing the concept of intermittent fasting.
The “Fed State” of the Body
First, let’s understand that Americans, as a whole, are in a fed state too often. When the body is in a fed state, it is actively trying to digest, breakdown, and assimilate nutrients. There is not much reparation happening at this point. Yes, there is the thermic fact of food in play (calories are burned during the digestion process), however not enough calories are burned during this process to make that big of a difference.
We are taught to eat small frequent meals and constantly stay full. However, with meals being consistent on the standard American diet, we are getting a never-ending grain and sugar-based carbohydrate push. In this carbohydrate driven engine, the body is working far too hard with little return. The body is working too fast to repair it self, and over time, healthy metabolism screeches to a halt.
The “Non-Fed” State of the Body
Now let’s look at the non-fed state. It is a time when the body is allowed to repair. Further, natural cell death, called apoptosis, is allowed to occur. When in a non-fed state, the body can run through utilization of glycogen stores and begin to utilize fats as fuels, a process called ketosis. In this state, true preparation and recovery is accomplished in the body.
This is where consistent metabolism begins. There’s enough time for rest and recovery, and there’s enough time to utilize calories.
You might also enjoy: The Truth About Ketosis & Low-Carb Diets, Backed by Science
The best way to maintain healthy metabolism is to practice intermittent fasting.
This can be accomplished with 18 or 24 hour periods without food. Actually, before you panic, realize that you will be eating every day. To accomplish an 18-hour fast, you simply will eat dinner at the regular time (say 6) and then not eat your first meal the next day (referred to as breakfast) until around noon.
To accomplish the 24-hour fast, you would continue fasting until dinner the following day. This resets the metabolism every time. It works because of the effect it has on two hormones, insulin and growth hormone. When in the non-fed state, insulin goes down which allows the body to access and utilize fat as fuel. Additionally, growth hormone goes up which allows the body to maintain and build lean muscle tissue.
I recommend doing this every third or fourth day to ensure your metabolism is constantly being reset and fired up. When this becomes a practice in life, issues of weight control get relatively easy and less stressful.
