Intermittent fasting can be defined as a state of starvation, in which caloric intake is reduced for a period of time usually from one to four days. It has been reported that people who perform this practice, have more rapid fat loss results than those who follow more traditional methods of dieting and weight loss such as calorie Restriction diet and glycemic index (GI) diet. However, it is important to note that not all intermittent fasters turn out to be effective in weight loss. Most of them fail to produce sustainable and permanent weight loss results due to a number of reasons including: they are too restrictive to the person’s calorie intake; they are based on a time frame; they are confusing; and they are demanding physically and mentally. Nonetheless, there are intermittent fasting techniques that are known to be very effective in weight loss and weight maintenance.

Intermittent fasting may involve eating up to two times per day, or as intermittent feedings. It can either be short for several hours or extended for several days. For those who are looking to lose a large amount of weight in a short period of time, eating as intermittent feedings can be useful as it allows them to consume large amounts of food at a time, and in which case the body is forced to burn up the stored fat that it has gained during the time that they are eating less. However, for those who are looking to lose a large amount of weight in a long-term, consuming intermittent fasting feedings may be harmful as the person may face food cravings, and is no longer able to psychologically motivate him or herself to eat a healthy and balanced meal.

intermittent fasting may also be confused with extended state of starvation, which is a physiological state where a person is not able to eat anything because his body is undergoing hypoxia. Hypoxia often causes a person to lose consciousness and cause him or her to eat nothing. Those suffering from long-term diseases such as cancer, AIDS, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s are highly susceptible to hypoxia. For them, consuming a starvation diet may prove to be ineffective.