Metabolic switching shifts the body from using glucose for energy to using fatty acid-derived ketones for energy. The act of switching between these two fuel sources elicits a healing response in the body. The easiest way to induce this metabolic switch is through fasting. You can also use certain breathing techniques and ice baths or ice plunges. For now, let’s try fasting and maybe later we will plunge into breath work in an ice bath.

Trillions of cells acting as a unified team make up our body. Each cell produces energy by metabolizing glucose, burning fat, and manufacturing antioxidants. When food is not available the cells switch to an alternate fuel source to continue functioning. It takes about eight hours for this switch to occur. This metabolic switch at the cellular level increases the bodies ability to heal itself and burn fat.

We all fast while we sleep and by extending that fasting window we can help our cells stay in the healing phase a little longer each day. For example, stop eating a few hours before bed and delay breakfast until a few hours after waking. Try to have a total of at least thirteen hours of no food. That might look like no food between 7pm-8am; if that doesn’t work for you just adjust the window to fit into your lifestyle. If you can extend your fasting window to sixteen hours that’s even more beneficial.

E.A. Fussell
08.19.2023