The Fat-Burning Phase of Fasting: What Happens After 16 Hours
Fasting, or going without food for a set period, has become popular for its health benefits, including weight loss and improved metabolism. After around 16 hours of fasting, your body enters a special phase where it starts burning fat for energy and undergoing some important processes that can boost your health.
Transitioning to Fat-Burning Mode
Normally, your body relies on glucose (sugar) from food for energy. After eating, glucose circulates in your blood, giving you energy. But after 8-12 hours without food, your glucose stores begin to run low. By the 16-hour mark, your body has mostly used up its glucose, and it starts breaking down fat to fuel itself instead.
As fat breaks down, your body produces ketones, which it uses for energy. This shift into burning fat for fuel is called ketosis, and it’s often called the "fat-burning" phase of fasting. This process helps your body use fat more efficiently, leading to weight loss and preserving muscle mass.
Autophagy: Cleaning Up and Repairing Cells
Another key benefit of fasting is autophagy, which happens when your body starts recycling old or damaged cells. In simple terms, it’s like a spring cleaning for your body at a cellular level. Fasting triggers autophagy to help eliminate waste and repair cells, improving overall health and possibly reducing inflammation.
Other Health Benefits
Along with fat burning and autophagy, fasting can also help reduce inflammation, improve your immune system, and support better brain function. Many people report feeling more focused and energized after fasting for 16 hours or more.
In short, fasting gives your body a chance to burn fat, clean up damaged cells, and reset for better health overall. To kick start your weight loss journey, check out the Fuel. Fast. Thrive. 60-Day Program.
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