

Thus, these hormones signal the body to mobilize energy from glycogen and fat stores. While insulin decreases, so-called counter-regulatory hormones rise, which counteract the storage hormone. Therefore, fasting for at least 16 hours also makes sense during intermittent fasting.

Moreover, high insulin levels cause the body to retain salt and water ( Quiñones-Galvan et al. 1997 14). The post-absorptive fasting stage is essential since high insulin levels are a significant risk factor for chronic diseases.Īccordingly, low insulin levels prevent ( Herman et al. Like fasting, therefore, ketogenic diets aim to lower insulin levels. Consequently, the body can fall back on stored fat even earlier.
Catabolic phase full#
The glycogen stores will not be full if you eat a low-carbohydrate diet. Therefore, they cover almost precisely the individual daily requirement of each person. The capacity of these carbohydrate stores depends on stature and body size. However, during this process, insulin levels begin to fall again.Īlthough most cells still use glucose for fuel, it now comes from glycogen stores rather than directly from food ( Cahill 2006 9).īecause the liver breaks glycogen down into glucose, it can be transported throughout the body via the bloodstream. The body digests the ingested food energy during these four to 16 hours after eating. In addition to fatty acid chains, glycerol is produced, which your body can convert into glucose for the brain.Īccording to Cahill, the second fasting stage is the post-absorptive phase. For this purpose, triglycerides from the fat cells enter the liver, where they are broken down. The body must draw on fat reserves when glycogen is no longer available. When the body needs blood sugar, it splits the molecule into smaller glucose molecules and relieves them into the bloodstream. Glycogen is stored primarily in the liver and partially in skeletal muscle. This molecule consists of glucose chains and water. While the body stores fat as triglycerides, carbohydrates are stored as glycogen. Other cells, such as those in the liver, kidneys, muscles, or heart, can use both energy sources. While most cells can use both energy sources, the brain is an exception because it cannot use triglycerides. He distinguishes between two primary fuel sources: George Cahill conceptualized his fasting stages according to which energy source the body predominantly uses at any given time ( Cahill 2006 6). The five stages of fasting are feeding, postabsorptive, gluconeogenesis, ketosis, and protein conservation stage.ĭr. He published his collected findings in the article “Fuel Metabolism in Starvation.” He was a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, where he conducted essential studies. George Cahill divided fasting into five general stages. Depending on the duration of the fasting period, various processes are triggered in the body, which can produce different effects. However, not all methods offer the same benefits. Mental clarity and cognition ( Witte et al.Its health benefits can balance the hormonal system, reduce inflammation and detoxify the body. Prolonged and intermittent fasting are natural methods that can dramatically improve health. Although people react differently to fasting, a general sequence of stages initiates different metabolic processes.įor this reason, this article uses five stages to explain how fasting affects an average person depending on their hourly progress. This way, you can adapt your fasting plan to your individual goals.įasting is more than a method for losing weight.
