Image Source: Freepik
Intermittent fasting, or IF for short, is a dieting pattern that involves periods of fasting and non-fasting. Depending on how long you fast for and how frequently you do it, the IF diet can have many varying results. Some known benefits of IF include weight loss, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of cancer, and a healthier hormone profile.
While other studies suggest this type of dieting may increase disease risk factors and increase levels of stress hormones in some people. If you’re considering adding IF to your routine, this article will explain everything you need to know about adding IF to your routine along with the pros and cons associated with taking melatonin while IF.
Read on to learn more!
SUGGESTED
How to burn fat quick on the keto diet
Contents
How Does IF Work?
There are many variations of the intermittent fasting diet pattern, but the one thing they all have in common is the fasting periods. On a daily basis, you’ll either fast completely, or you’ll consume very few calories. Most people choose to fast between 12-24 hours per day. There are, however, people who prefer to fast for nearly every single hour of the day.
With that said, there’s an endless amount of ways you can decide to fast if you choose to go down this dietary path. Some of the more popular fasting methods include:
The 16/8 method
The 5:2 diet
The Warrior Diet
The Alternate-Day Diet – Eat Stop Eat
How Does Melatonin Help With Weight Loss?
Melatonin is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. Among its many roles, melatonin is known as an appetite suppressor. When you supplement with melatonin, you’re helping your body produce more of this hormone. And when your body has more melatonin, you’ll notice a reduced appetite.
Not only does melatonin help with suppressing your appetite, but it also helps with regulating your metabolism. When melatonin is present in high amounts, your body will naturally increase its metabolism. Increased metabolism, in combination with a reduced appetite, can help you lose weight. Melatonin is also known as a sleep hormone.
While it’s possible to take melatonin while you’re awake, it’s not recommended to do so. Taking melatonin while you’re awake can disrupt your natural sleep cycle. Since sleep is crucial for weight loss, you really don’t want to mess with your sleeping patterns.
The Downsides of Taking Melatonin While Intermittent Fasting
While melatonin does have a few benefits for weight loss, there are also several downsides to taking melatonin while IF. First and foremost, melatonin can disrupt your sleep cycle. While it might help you lose weight, disrupting your sleep is not worth any of the benefits. If you’re not sleeping well, you’re simply hindering your progress.
If you’re taking melatonin while fasting, you’re not only hindering your sleeping patterns, but you’re also putting your health at risk. Taking melatonin while fasting can cause problems with your blood sugar levels.
If you’re fasting, your blood sugar will be low. Taking melatonin while fasting can make this low blood sugar even worse. When your blood sugar is low, you’re at a higher risk of having a seizure.
Should You Take Melatonin While Intermittent Fasting?
While intermittent fasting can be a very effective dieting pattern, taking melatonin while you’re fasting can pose many health risks. With that said, melatonin isn’t necessarily a bad option for those who are intermittent fasting. It’s just not an optimal solution. Since your body naturally produces melatonin, it makes sense to supplement with something that’s already in your body.
If you decide to take melatonin while fasting, make sure to only do so during times you’re not sleeping. Taking melatonin while you’re asleep is not recommended. If you do decide to take melatonin while fasting, be sure to monitor your blood sugar levels closely. If your blood sugar levels are dropping, take melatonin with food. You can also try taking a small snack with you while you’re fasting to prevent blood sugar drops.
Final Words
Excluding melatonin from your daily routine can help you boost your metabolism and reduce your appetite. When you’re fasting, it’s important to stay hydrated and eat plenty of healthy snacks.
While it’s possible to take melatonin while you’re intermittent fasting, it’s not recommended. If you do decide to take melatonin while fasting, make sure to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels. With that said, melatonin supplements are a great way to give your metabolism and appetite a boost.
