Technically, Non-Technical Fasting Terms

So much jargon is thrown around with terms so steep in medical that common understanding of the process takes a rocket scientist.

I hope to clarify this with simpler Fasting terms (though not 100% medically correct)

When we refer to fasting this is what others say:

Intermittent Fasting (IF) – An eating pattern where you intentionally cycle between eating and not eating

Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) – Fasting which focuses on the hours in which you can eat during a fast (same as IF)

Closeup shot of the word definition in a dictionary. Page curves and has a vignetting or edge burn effect where the corners are darker. Focus is on the word definition.

These are terms you will hear when talking about digestion/fasting

  • Digestion – The process of your body breaking down food/drinks to provide fuel and nutrients to cells
  • Metabolism – Transforming fuel into energy to maintain bodily functions
  • Glucose – Simple sugar, a subcategory of carbohydrate
  • Insulin – A hormone that helps glucose (simple sugar) enter cells to give them energy
  • Ketones – When glucose drops liver produces these as an alternative energy source to glucose
  • Ketosis – When your body breaks down fat and uses it as fuel
  • Autophagy – Your body breaking down (old/broken) cells to reuse or eliminate ( a very necessary process for “taking out the trash.”)

What happens when you eat?

  • English Version

When you eat, you are digesting food. Digesting is breaking down and absorption of nutrients. For a typical diet (not keto diet), this releases sugars. These sugars are used by your body to maintain itself. When sugars are not available, your body uses fat stores.

  • Body Processes Terminology Version

When eating – Glucose Metabolism
Digestion=>Metabolism=>Glucose=>Insulin=>Cell Fuel (Energy) (fewer benefits)

What happens when you fast?

  • English version

You are hungry for a while, then you are no longer hungry. In the meantime, your body uses fat stores as fuel and your body repairs itself.

  • Body Processes Terminology Version

When fasting (for long enough) – Ketosis Metabolism
Metabolism=>Ketosis=>Cell Fuel (Energy)=> Then, later=> Autophagy (& many other benefits)

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