How To Do Intermittent Fasting, Without It Messing With Your Mental Health

If you’re questioning the mental health impacts of intermittent fasting, it’s important to know that IF may have some benefits for your mind, too. In fact, research shows that intermittent fasting can be a powerful mood-booster.

Fasting also triggers an important process called autophagy. Autophagy is like “spring cleaning” for your body: getting rid of old, damaged cells and making room for new, healthy ones so we can keep functioning at peak levels. It’s especially important in the brain, since autophagy helps to helps clear out damaged proteins and promote brain health.

In his book Life Lessons from a Brain Surgeon, Rahul Jandial, M.D., Ph.D. talks about how—and more importantly, why—he’s made intermittent fasting a part of his daily routine. “Intermittent hunger clears the mind, awakens the senses, and improves brain functioning,” he says. “Going without food for even a day increases your brain’s natural growth factors, which support the survival and growth of neurons.” 

Immune support, inflammation reduction, plus a brain and mood boost? You can see why fasting can be such a powerful tool in your well-being arsenal. Just be sure to choose the type of fast that works best for you and your body.