TV medic Dr Michael Mosley’s new book The Fast 800 was launched earlier this year but it has taken me some time to read it and more importantly to get my head around the concept of intermittent fasting. I have never dieted in my life and never fasted. I am Italian and I love my food. The concept of being deprived of food is alien to me. However, I am very keen on reverse ageing. I would do anything to keep myself healthy and young-looking for as long as possible. Even fasting. Full fasting is not for me but resting my stomach and body overnight is a great way to start the healing fasting process. I am pleased to confirm that after three months of regular and consistent intermittent fasting I have lost weight, toned, got a new skin glow and even improved wellbeing.
Dr Michael Mosley, best known for the groundbreaking BBC Horizon documentary, The 5:2 Diet, has been discussing how he reversed his own diabetes using the The Fast 800 diet – as detailed in his new book and also his new multi-faceted online programme designed to target a range of obesity-linked chronic health issues, including type 2 diabetes. This really intrigued me even if I don’t have health problems. I have a strong will and I admire people who are equally determined to achieve the impossible through their perseverance and actions.
I had the pleasure of asking him a couple of questions about using intermittent fasting to reverse ageing and this is what he had to say.
Q: Can you please explain in simple terms why intermittent fasting is good for us? (Health benefits)
Dr MM: The idea behind intermittent fasting is that you give your body a rest from having to digest food right around the clock. Our remote ancestors did not have access to food all the time. Instead they would have eaten and then gone for long periods without. Our bodies evolved in a time of feast and famine. One of the main benefits of intermittent fasting is weight loss. A study of over 200 women showed that those who did 5:2 (eating healthily 5 days a week and cutting their calories down to ¼ two days a week lost twice as much fat as those on a conventional diet; intermittent fasting has also been shown to reduce inflammation (helpful for rheumatoid arthritis) and blood pressure. There is some evidence that it can also reduce your risk of developing dementia.
Dr MM: The idea behind intermittent fasting is that you give your body a rest from having to digest food right around the clock. Our remote ancestors did not have access to food all the time. Instead they would have eaten and then gone for long periods without. Our bodies evolved in a time of feast and famine. One of the main benefits of intermittent fasting is weight loss. A study of over 200 women showed that those who did 5:2 (eating healthily 5 days a week and cutting their calories down to ¼ two days a week lost twice as much fat as those on a conventional diet; intermittent fasting has also been shown to reduce inflammation (helpful for rheumatoid arthritis) and blood pressure. There is some evidence that it can also reduce your risk of developing dementia.
Q: How do we know which type of intermittent fasting is suitable for us?
Dr MM: Intermittent fasting isn’t suitable for everyone (see thefast800.com to see who should not do it). If you have a lots of weight to lose then I recommend starting with rapid weight loss (800 calories a day for a couple of weeks) before moving onto 5:2.
Dr MM: Intermittent fasting isn’t suitable for everyone (see thefast800.com to see who should not do it). If you have a lots of weight to lose then I recommend starting with rapid weight loss (800 calories a day for a couple of weeks) before moving onto 5:2.
Q: How is Fast 800 different from other types of fasting and why should we embrace it?
Dr MM: I also suggest you incorporate into your diet something called “Time Restricted Eating”. It is a way of extending your overnight fast. So typically people who do it will stop eating around 8 pm and not eat again till 10 am the next day. That way you have 14 hours without eating, followed by 10 hours within which you can eat. Time restricted Eating has been shown to be an effective way to lose visceral (gut) fat and reduce inflammation. The great thing is you can combine Time Restricted Eating with rapid weight loss or the 5:2 approach and it will make either easier and more effective. The health benefits include losing more fat than on a conventional diet, and an improvement in mood.
Q: You have written many books about fasting. Is each new book a more advanced development on the previous method?
Dr MM: I also suggest you incorporate into your diet something called “Time Restricted Eating”. It is a way of extending your overnight fast. So typically people who do it will stop eating around 8 pm and not eat again till 10 am the next day. That way you have 14 hours without eating, followed by 10 hours within which you can eat. Time restricted Eating has been shown to be an effective way to lose visceral (gut) fat and reduce inflammation. The great thing is you can combine Time Restricted Eating with rapid weight loss or the 5:2 approach and it will make either easier and more effective. The health benefits include losing more fat than on a conventional diet, and an improvement in mood.
Q: You have written many books about fasting. Is each new book a more advanced development on the previous method?
Dr MM: Yes.
Q: What is your personal favourite fasting approach and why?
Dr MM: My book, the Fast 800, goes into this in great depth.
Q: Who should not follow any fasting at all and why?
Dr MM: Fasting is not suitable for everyone and should be avoided by pregnant women and those who are already underweight.
Q: Who should not follow any fasting at all and why?
Dr MM: Fasting is not suitable for everyone and should be avoided by pregnant women and those who are already underweight.
www.thefast800.com is the reference website for Dr Michael Mosley’s latest book.
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Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
