16-Hour Fasting: Yes or No?

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about 16-hour fasting, and it has sparked some controversy. Some say it is a weight loss diet, while others consider it to be simply a regular diet, but many claim that 16-hour fasting has completely changed their life – they feel better and more energetic, they have lost weight, and their hormone levels have normalised. The almighty Google has an opinion on it as well – according to their data, intermittent fasting was the most searched diet in 2019. The global bestselling book “Der Jungbrunnen-Effekt: Wie 16 Stunden FASTEN ihr Leben verändert” by P. A. Straubinger, Margit Fensl, and Nathalie Karré on intermittent fasting has been well-received in Croatia too, stating the following in the summary: For centuries, mankind has been searching for the fountain of youth – the secret to a healthier, happier, and more energetic life. But the answer is so simple. Intermittent fasting has been proven to promote the regeneration of cells: the autophagy process enables the body cells to detoxify and regenerate. The 2016 Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to this research as well. 16-hour fasting is based on those very scientific insights, and it can be easily incorporated into our everyday life. This book also explains how to reduce stress and the urge to overeat with regular meditation as well as offers mental techniques to enable you to achieve the permanent effects of longevity.

Autophagy is the Key

Intermittent fasting is one of the most popular global trends in the world of health and fitness. People use intermittent fasting to lose weight, improve their health, and simplify their way of life. There are also studies which have proven that intermittent fasting can have a positive effect on the body and the brain, and even help us live longer. The key to this special type of fasting is the autophagy process – it is a metabolic process which enables us to regenerate cells, preserve health, and lose weight. Autophagy comes from the Greek “auto” (self) and “phagein” (eating). The literal translation would be “eating oneself”, which primarily refers to the processes of self-detoxification and regeneration. Autophagy is activated by fasting, but the length and the type of fasting matter, so it is best to use intermittent fasting with a 16-hour fasting period per day. There are multiple types of intermittent fasting, but the most popular one is the 16:8, that is, 16 hours of fasting and 8 hours of eating.

What About a Healthy Breakfast?

I am a supporter of a healthy breakfast which begins with a glass of water or herbal tea with the juice of one whole lemon. Then comes the fruit: kiwi, pineapple, apple, banana, a bit of everything. This is followed by a boiled egg. After having breakfast, I feel satisfied and full of energy. 16-hour fasting as a method of achieving a youthful appearance and beauty is appealing and makes sense, especially because you can still drink liquids during those 16 hours. I don’t think anything, including this type of diet or fasting, can be taken for granted. Of course, how much and when you eat is important, but what you eat is important too.  It is interesting to note that fasting was a part of our evolution. People were forced to fast – they simply could not find anything to eat, but this helped them develop. We can see this nowadays as well – people suffer from many illnesses and allergies which are connected to their diet. Fasting today is also present as a part of Islamic, Christian, Judaic, and Buddhist tradition.