Knowledge

How Long Does it Take for Intermittent Fasting to Work?

The results of intermittent fasting can vary based on individual factors such as metabolism, diet and exercise. However, if you consistently practice fasting, you may notice changes within a few weeks to a couple of months.

Intermittent fasting is a way of eating that involves rotating between periods of eating and fasting. The results may vary from person to person.

  • In 1 to 4 weeks you may experience benefits such as increased energy, better focus and reduced bloating.1
  • In 1-3 months you may see more significant changes, such as noticeable weight loss, reductions in body fat percentage and improved metabolic health markers like insulin sensitivity and cholesterol levels. 2 3
  • After 3 months, the benefits of intermittent fasting can continue to accrue. These can include sustained weight loss, better weight management, enhanced muscle definition, improved overall health, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.2,3,4

It’s important to remember that everyone responds differently to intermittent fasting and the results may vary depending on factors like age, gender and genetics.

References

  1. Shalabi, H., Hassan, A. S., AL-Zahrani, F. A., Alarbeidi, A. H., Mesawa, M., Rizk, H., & Aljubayri, A. A. (n.d.). Intermittent Fasting: Benefits, Side Effects, Quality of Life, and Knowledge of the Saudi Population. Cureus, 15(2), e34722. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.34722
  2. Vasim, I., Majeed, C. N., & DeBoer, M. D. (2022). Intermittent Fasting and Metabolic Health. Nutrients, 14(3), 631. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030631
  3. Patterson, R. E., Laughlin, G. A., Sears, D. D., LaCroix, A. Z., Marinac, C., Gallo, L. C., Hartman, S. J., Natarajan, L., Senger, C. M., Martínez, M. E., & Villaseñor, A. (2015). INTERMITTENT FASTING AND HUMAN METABOLIC HEALTH. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115(8), 1203–1212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2015.02.018
  4. Beneficial effects of intermittent fasting: A narrative review—PMC. (n.d.). Retrieved 22 April 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9946909/

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