Science Proves Intermittent Fasting Increases Fat Loss While Retaining Muscle Mass

OK. You have heard it said that when you fast that your body loses muscle mass, not just fat. Well, there are too many scientific studies to prove the opposite. It just isn't true that the body will consume lean body mass, no matter what the other experts say.

If it is true, then why is there so much out on the 'net that fasting is harmful to your body? There are several reasons which we will cover here briefly.

Before we try to establish the proof that fasting for fat loss is safe and healthy when taken with proper exercise, it is important to note that just because something is said in a magazine article, website, or even a "respected" authority - even this one - that you should take it on face value. There is a lot of confusion on the Internet about dieting, fitness, health, fasting, etc, so how do you know what is true? Well, part of learning the truth requires common sense and part of the truth requires blowing away some of the fog of misinformation.

You see, if fasting gets popular and people actually find out that they can safely lose fat all the while retaining muscle, then less folks will buy weight loss pills, weight loss foods, weight loss programs and plans and such.

There is just no money in fasting. And maybe you haven't heard, but the weight loss industry is multibillion dollar business. Lots of businesses would stand to lose a lot of money.

But then there are the folks who say they have science to prove fasting is harmful; that your body sort of has a "starvation mode" it goes into after a certain period of time of doing without food. Supposedly, your metabolism slows down and adjusts to the reduced intake causing you to retain and gain fat. To a certain extent this is true but, and this is the big "but" you really only lose about 100 calories of metabolism is 24 hours. That is the equivalent of a creamed coffee. That doesn't sound like the huge fat gain that the experts scared everyone with.

But just what does happen in a fast? Without going into the whole scientific jargon, when you fast for 24 to 72 hours, and you maintain a fitness plan that includes weights and interval training, your body not only doesn't gain fat, it preserves muscle mass. The fact is that growth hormone, the same stuff celebrities pay big bucks for, is secreted during a short fast. This growth hormone acts to preserve your muscle mass and when coupled with moderate fitness plan, you will lose fat.

Now, if you think fasting for 24 hours is unimaginable then think about this: you already fast for up to 12 hours every night, right? So, you choose the time to fast. You never go a day with out some food in it. Eat dinner then fast all the way till the next dinner. Breakfast till the next breakfast.

Really, fasting is the easiest most forgiving way to lose weight of all. No counting calories, or fat grams or carbs. No fancy or complicated menus to follow. Just eat the way you do all the rest of the time. NO more stressing over food. Just go without for 24 hours once or twice a week.

Want to learn more?

Marie Stimson is a research writer and freelance author specializing in fitness and weight loss. Not satisfied with all the confusion in the marketplace about fat loss and health, she uncovered the truths about weight loss and fitness in her report, Fat Loss Secrets of the Ages. Get a free copy here: http://besthealthyweightlossdiet.com/dietreport.htm