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I'm 33 now and after a bout of Accutane, my skin is generally clear. I use intermittent fasting for weight loss and on the occasions I've done it, my skin is flawless. I've read on several studies and experiences that people have experienced clearer skin while fasting.
I am the worlds worst when it comes to diets, I give up easily, especially fasting. I believe I lasted 4 hours when I tried the apple detox many years ago. So I wanted to share my own experience with IF. I believe almost anybody could do this.
What is intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting (IF) is a pattern of eating that alternates between periods of fasting (usually meaning consumption of water and sometimes low-calorie drinks such as black coffee) and non-fasting (eating regular food). -Wikipedia
Studies have shown that after 6 hours of fasting, the body enters a cleansing stage, where the cells recycle and repair. It's also been shown to have amazing anti-inflammatory effects on the body. But the exact science between acne and IF I do not know.
What's the best way to perform IF (in my experience and humble opinion)
- An 8 hour eating window with a 16 hour fast (which seems a lot but it's not). 8 hours are spent asleep, 4 hours after you wake up and 4 hours before you sleep.
- Skip breakfast. It's not the most important meal of the day, contrary to what breakfast cereal manufacturers would have you believe. If I have breakfast, I'll be hungry again a few hours later, if I skip it, I can easily hold out until 2pm.
- Start eating at 2pm and stop at 10pm. This suits me because I am usually more hungry in the evening. But others maybe better suited to starting to eat at noon.
- Eat at regular intervals. IMO this makes it easier, your body quickly falls in to the routine. I have 400 calories at 2pm, 400 at 6pm and 400 calories at 10pm. If you don't want to lose weight, ramp up the calories to 600-800 per meal.
- Eat lower carb than you usually would (not zero carb). This really helps keep your blood sugar levels more stable and prevents cravings.
Personally, I don't choose super healthy foods but if you enjoy them, it wouldn't hurt. For those of you who don't enjoy only eating fruits and vegetables (like me), then just eat your usual foods, I don't believe it will effect your results. But be mindful of calorie consumption.
It's worth noting that many people believe it's not important to count calories during IF, but I personally wouldn't recommend eating anymore than 2,000 calories per day when trying this.
So if any of you are looking for a natural approach to clear skin and not currently following a routine, it maybe worth giving this a go.
Any of you already tried this? How long for? What were your results?
Links
- Lean gains one of the original IF dudes!
- Dr Jones.tv talks about the anti-inflammatory effects of IF, as well as the cellular repair.
- Wikipedia on IF
Oh I am! Just curious about IF and its effects on acne.
There are so many people out there who do not realize how lucky they are with clear skin.
Diet, IF, sleeping cycles, leaky gut, etc. Acne sufferers have to take all this crap into consideration. Unbelievable
p.s., when did you take accutane and how much dosage?
Yes. Many people do it. See our lengthy thread on it. I do it, not religiously though, just when it works out. Because I do not skip breakfast and never will, but I'm really not hungry in the evening. We used to have a lot of warrior dieters here as well.
http://www.acne.org/search.html?i=forum-posts&q=Intermittent+fasting
And no, it doesn't have to be 16 hours. But the studies are On people doing 16 hour or alternate day fastin. There's some evidence that the fasting period should shorter for women.
I've only ever done 16 hours. It sounds a long time and I was certain I wouldn't be able to do it. But it turned out to be really easy, largely because you're asleep for 8 of them and then do 4 hours either side. Your body adjusts very quickly and after a few days, you'll be in a routine.
@alternativista I think the fact I'm always hungrier later, is why this works better for me, whereas for you, it's the other way around. Maybe worth people testing both.