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Debunking the Hype: The Gender Divide in Intermittent Fasting

by | Jan 30, 2024

Intermittent Fasting, or time-restricted eating, has gained immense popularity, fueled by promises of weight loss and improved body composition. While it’s not a new concept, having been practiced for centuries for various reasons, its recent resurgence has sparked debates, especially concerning its impact on different genders. Let’s delve into the intricacies of Intermittent Fasting and dissect the claims surrounding its effects on insulin control, psychological well-being, autophagy, and weight loss.

Understanding Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent Fasting involves extended periods of not eating, with various approaches like the 12-hour, 16-hour, alternate day fast, Warrior, and 5:2 methods. The premise is that the body needs to be in a fasted state to effectively burn fat, hence the extended fasting windows.

Insulin and Glucose Control

Studies suggest that Intermittent Fasting may improve insulin and glucose control, especially in males. However, when scrutinizing the data, it appears that the positive effects are more pronounced in men, raising questions about its efficacy for women, particularly those at high risk for type II diabetes.

Psychological Response

The claim that Intermittent Fasting enhances psychological responses appears to be skewed towards males. While men exhibit improved mental clarity and a Parasympathetic (rest and digest) response, women experience a Sympathetic (fight or flight) response, leading to feelings of fogginess, anxiety, depression, and increased heart rate.

Autophagy

The benefits of autophagy, the process of cellular cleanup and repair, seem to favor men. Neurons in a fasted state exhibit autophagy in men, while women resist this process, questioning the proposed longevity and cellular repair benefits for females.

Weight Loss and Body Composition

Despite being a trendy choice for weight loss, Intermittent Fasting’s effectiveness is contested. While men might experience benefits similar to other diet trends, women may face challenges, including decreased muscle synthesis, higher body fat percentage, and reduced aerobic adaptation, making it less appealing for female adherence.

Conclusion

For men, Intermittent Fasting could potentially offer health benefits such as improved longevity, blood sugar control, insulin responses, and fat loss with muscle gain if aligned with their lifestyle. However, the data suggests that the evolutionary mismatch between males and females may make extended fasting less suitable for women. A balanced approach, incorporating shorter fasting periods and reduced snacking, may be more beneficial for both genders. Ultimately, the key to diet success lies in consistency, allowing individuals to lead fulfilling lives while maintaining their health and well-being.

References:

  1. Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease. de Cabo R, Mattonson MP. New England Journal of Medicine, December 2019.
  2. Effect of Alternate-Day Fasting on Weight Loss, Weight Maintenance, and Cardioprotection Among Metabolically Healthy Obese Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Internal Medicine, May 2017.
  3. Alternate-day fasting in nonobese subjects: effects on body weight, body composition, and energy metabolism. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2005.
  4. The Obesity Code, by Jason Fung, MD (Greystone Books, 2016).
  5. Intermittent fasting interventions for treatment of overweight and obesity in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, February 2018.
  6. Metabolic Effects of Intermittent Fasting. Annual Review of Nutrition, August 2017.
  7. Early Time-Restricted Feeding Improves Insulin Sensitivity, Blood Pressure, and Oxidative Stress Even without Weight Loss in Men with Prediabetes. Cell Metabolism, May 2018.
  8. Nejad SE, Tehrani FR, and Zadeh-Vakili A. The roll of kisspeptin in female reproduction. Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Jul, 15(3): e44337.
  9. Stannard, S. R., Buckley, A. J., Edge, J. A., & Thompson, M. W. (2010). Adaptations to skeletal muscle with endurance exercise training in the acutely fed versus overnight-fasted state. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 13(4), 465–469.
  10. Heilbronn, L. K., Civitarese, A. E., Bogacka, I., Smith, S. R., Hulver, M., & Ravussin, E. (2005, March). Glucose tolerance and skeletal muscle gene expression in response to alternate day fasting. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15833943?dopt=Abstract

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