NUTRITION

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that alternates between periods of eating and voluntary fasting, used as a strategy to reduce calorie intake and improve metabolic health.

Intermittent fasting does not tell you what foods to eat but rather when to eat them. Common patterns include the 16:8 method, where you eat all your meals within an 8-hour window and fast for the remaining 16 hours, or the 5:2 approach, where you eat normally five days a week and restrict calories on two non-consecutive days. By shortening your eating window, many people naturally consume fewer calories and give their bodies more time to burn stored fat.

Intermittent fasting encompasses time-restricted feeding protocols that impose cyclic periods of voluntary abstinence from caloric intake, typically ranging from 16 hours daily to 24 hours on alternate days. Proposed mechanisms include metabolic switching from glucose-based to ketone-based energy, improved insulin sensitivity, enhanced autophagy, and favourable changes in gut microbiota. Meta-analyses indicate intermittent fasting produces weight loss comparable to continuous calorie restriction, with some studies showing superior preservation of lean mass.

Intermittent fasting can be an effective strategy for patients who find traditional daily calorie counting difficult. At NuLifeCare Singapore, we help determine whether this approach is safe and suitable for your individual health profile and weight-loss goals.

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Medical Disclaimer

This library is for general education and does not replace individual assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. Always consult a doctor for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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