"Autophagy Can fasting make you look younger?" To find out more I read...Fast Like a Girl.

I discovered intermittent fasting just over two years ago and haven't looked back. Now, after reaching my ideal weight, it has become a valuable tool for keeping my weight in check when needed... Menopause followed by COVID added extra pounds that affected how I felt mentally and physically. The thought of dieting filled me with dread, but then I found intermittent fasting and the book "The Fast Diet: Lose Weight, Stay Healthy, Live Longer" by Dr. Michael Mosley & Mimi Spencer The original 5:2 version. Two years on, I have not only lost weight, I have adopted a practical lifestyle shift that keeps me feeling much healthier.

I won’t dress it up, the initial thought of fasting sounds terrifying, especially with the bombardment of ‘Just Eat!’ messages that the advertisement industry hurl at us. However, once you get past the initial shock of ‘Don’t eat!’, it becomes surprisingly easy. Now I’m hooked and find the topic really interesting…. which led me to a podcast interview with Steven Bartlett(my latest crush) and Dr. Mindy Pelz. They discuss the different types of fasting and the benefits that extend beyond weight loss. with its ability to increase growth hormone levels, boost immunity, promote healing, slow down the ageing process and improve skin health.… This sparked my interest, so I read Dr. Mindy’s book called “Fast Like a Girl” to learn more.

What is Autophagy?

Dr Mindy Pelz, PhD, is a well-known health expert and fasting coach who helps women achieve hormonal balance, burn fat, and increase their energy levels through fasting. In her in-depth book “Fast Like a Girl” Dr Mindy shares practical advice on leveraging fasting for weight loss and explains the scientific underpinnings of fasting. She also has chapters on … How to Fast After Menopause, How Fasting Heals Your Body and, The Five Types of Fasting... With some remarkable information backed by clinical studies. One of the most fascinating concepts that she covers in her book is autophagy, a cellular clean-up mechanism that discards old and damaged cells, think (Pac-Man) paving the path for the creation of new, healthy cells. This cycle of cellular renewal is believed to delay the onset of age-related diseases, maintain skin elasticity, and contribute to overall longevity. Furthermore, fasting enhances metabolic health, reduces inflammation, boosts the immune system and supports cognitive function—factors that are intimately linked with ageing.

How Fasting Boosts Collagen Production

But can fasting make you look younger? The battle with ageing skin starts with optimising collagen production and fasting has been shown to significantly enhance stem cell production and elevate human growth hormone (HGH) levels. These components are essential for collagen production… So boosting them with fasting as a strategy in the battle against ageing skin may prove to be a powerful tool.

Fast Like a Girl is all about empowering women to take charge of their health journey and if you’re curious about fasting, I highly recommend checking it out. The book highlights how amazing our bodies are, and how the effect of fasting can reboot us into a Cleanse and Renewal process …Given the opportunity,

If you planning on trying fasting my advice is to start a new project at the same time like re-organising a room…Stay Occupied!

My fasting journey is ongoing and I’m still learning new ways to make it work for me… So far I have managed a 24-hour fast fairly easily which I can only attribute to having already shifted my habits…(most of our eating today is purely poor habit) and am now planning a 48-hour fast. Only time will tell if it will improve my skin… I will keep you updated !!

Disclaimer: Fasting is not suitable for everyone and may cause adverse effects such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, headaches, fatigue and nutrient deficiencies. Please consult your doctor before starting any fasting regimen.

: Pelz M. Fast Like a Girl: A Woman’s Guide to Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss & Hormone Balance. Hay House Inc; 2022. : Mayo Clinic Staff. Fasting diet: Can it improve my heart health? Mayo Clinic; 2020. Available from: [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/expert-answers/fasting-diet/faq-20058334]