You can call it whatever you like: intermittent fasting or episodic eating. The key to either is the limitation of caloric intake for as long as possible. In an ideal situation, humans should fast for 72 hrs to experience the full benefit of fasting conditions. I can hold out for most of the day, but by meal time I am ready to consume some food. The goal is to limit your time spent in a state of storage and maximize the time exposed to protective health mechanisms. So, when it’s time to eat, I’ve completed my goal and it’s time to eat big.
Eating triggers physiologic mechanisms which lead to increased Insulin and Growth Hormone in the bloodstream. This signaling tells the body to store the energy source being provided. During fasting the signaling is quiet and there is a down-regulation of the release of Insulin and Insulin-like Growth Factor -1 (IGF-1). The body remains in a state of repair, focusing upon cleaning up old cellular debris and waste. Fasting promotes a state of repair, preferring autophagy over proliferation. Simply put, the more time spent in a reparative state, the better.
There is a specific condition, known as “Laron Syndrome”, affecting a small population of indigenous people in Ecuador and the Middle East who release very little IGF-1. These individuals all likely descended from one ancestor who lacked the genetic material to produce this important hormone. This population has been protected against incidences of cancer. During a fasting state, the body can focus upon removing damaged cells rather than focus upon storage of energy source. Multiple studies have shown that lower levels of IGF-1 lead to decreased risk of cancers and increased longevity.
Fasting regimens have cured people from all types of ailments, ranging from arthritis and asthma to diabetes and cancer. In fact, scientists have argued that fasting is the best method to cure Type 2 diabetes. The best part is that there is no fancy product or medication to purchase. If you wish to learn more about fasting and how it can benefit you, check out The Complete Guide to Fasting, by James Fung. For those who really want to dive into the scientific literature, please read the 2019 Cells article. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells8060596