Why I Began Intermittent Fasting

The answer might come as a surprise to many of you, as I had no desire to lose additional weight when I started this journey. In fact, quite the opposite. It was my interest in a peer-reviewed medical study examining the effects of fasting on the male body that convinced me to give it a try. Not only has fasting been shown to rid the body of toxins and increase testosterone levels by up to 180%, it also effects an increase in luteinizing hormone (the direct precursor to testosterone.) Seeing as how I've regularly worked out, but struggled to gain muscle mass, this seemed like a no-brainer, so I decided to give it a try. What did I have to lose? I was already practicing caloric restriction at the time.

A one-handed push-up: a feat of strength made simple by increased testosterone levels and regular physical training.

Okay, so I suppose this all began about two weeks ago. I was consuming DHEA daily at the time, despite the fact that scant evidence shows a direct correlation between elevated DHEA levels and total testosterone. To make a long story short, it produced some rather nasty effects --  cold sweats in the middle of the night as I tossed and turned, totally restless. I had cardiac arrhythmia and suspected death was near more than once. Granted, these are atypical experiences for those using DHEA, but they made me discontinue use immediately.

It was around that time that I noticed I could go without having a fourth meal before bed, despite having my dinner as early as 5 p.m. and staying up late with my nose buried in a book (or more accurately, my beloved Kindle.) Not only did I find that a stubborn leg injury was starting to heal, but quickly learned the reason why -- HGH. In times of fasting, the body produces more human growth hormone. All of these neurochemical and hormonal enhancements make sense from an evolutionary perspective, as men would need increased endurance and aggression in hunter-gatherer societies. Since we're not so far removed from our ancestors, we still stand to benefit from employing the some restraints.

It's too early to say how pronounced the effects of this endeavor might be, but I'll be sure to post an update once more time has passed. So far, all is better than I could have imagined. It's even forced me to sleep earlier, as I look forward to waking up to my next meal. 

What's your experience with IF? With so many methods of fasting out there, it's easy to find one that suits your lifestyle. Whether you're looking to lose weight, boost cognitive function, or increase your libidio, there's surely a plan that's right for you.