Marla Ahlgrimm | Fasting and Hormones

Marla Ahlgrimm

Intermittent fasting has been in the news quite a bit lately. It is suspected that fasting for a short amount of time can help you lose weight and clear up digestive issues. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, fasting affects the hormones in some surprising ways.

Q: How does intermittent fasting help you lose weight?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Intermittent fasting can change the way your body produces certain hormones. Leptin, ghrelin, and insulin are specifically affected. By altering the way the brain produces these hormones, your body may be able to naturally increase its metabolism. And contrary to popular belief, fasting does not necessarily make you feel sluggish and hungry. Although there is an acclimation period, some healthcare professionals believe that not eating for a day, or eating only during certain hours, can improve dopamine levels and make the food you do eat more satisfying.

Q: Can fasting affect fertility?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Anything you do to your body that changes the way hormones are produced can absolutely affect fertility. As far as fasting goes, when you eat, the brain is in a better position to produce hormones. Women are especially sensitive to fasting-related changes and fasting the wrong way can actually cause a rift in the reproductive cycle.

Q: Should individuals with a thyroid disorder fast?

Marla Ahlgrimm: The thyroid is perhaps the most powerful of all the glands, and it directly impacts every hormones in the body. Anyone with a thyroid disorder should speak to their primary health care provider if they wish to lose weight or reap any other potential benefits of fasting.

Q: What is a typical fasting schedule?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Different advocates of intermittent fasting suggest different schedules. An example for a beginner would be to eat between 8 AM and 6 PM each day, and only between these hours. An advanced faster may only eat every other day.