Whether intermittent fasting is applicable or not depends on the type of fasting, as some types of fasting have more strict requirements and require more effort. For instance, zero-calorie fasting would not work for me due to the necessity to find appropriate food and have long intervals of not eating. In contrast, the time-restricted diet seems manageable as it involves fasting overnight and into the next morning. Calorie restriction means reducing caloric intake daily, while fasting focuses on limiting intake during particular times of the day. Calorie intake has shown a decreased level of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and disabilities, and fasting proved to contribute towards the reduction of inflammation and prevention of dementia. Researchers are still have not proved if fasting has a greater effect than calorie restriction, which requires further investigation.
Intermittent fasting has not proven to be a healthy alternative for weight and nutrition maintenance. The National Institute of Health states that during fasting, the energy is stored and released in the form of ketones that are considered a more efficient energy source than glucose, which can help to prevent aging, inflammation, and cancer. However, too many ketones can have adverse and harmful effects on health, which requires additional research to decide if fasting can be considered as a healthy route. Even though diets such as intermittent fasting can assist in losing weight, any diet should not substitute a healthy food intake unless prescribed due to medical conditions. Moreover, a constant restriction can lead to dissatisfaction and impact mental health. Also, sufficient research has been performed regarding the long-term effects of such a diet, which also contributes to the reasoning that fasting cannot be considered as a healthy alternative to sustain for an extended period of time.