Fasting works wonders on the human body. Improved body composition, increased energy, appetite regulation, enhanced immunity, a healthier gut, a sharper mind, a healthier heart, a longer lifespan, and disease prevention are all proven benefits of fasting. The beautiful thing too is that there isn't only one way to do it.

It is important to distinguish between terms such as "Intermittent Fasting" (IF) and "Time-Restrictive Feeding" (TRF). Intermittent Fasting is sort of an umbrella term and covers different types of fasting like Time-Restrictive Feeding and 24-Hour Fasting. The big distinction to notice is that Intermittent Fasting usually involves calorie restriction, while TRF does not.

If you're fasting purely for the longevity benefits - keeping cellular autophagy in process - avoid any calories and any supplements that have calories. If you're fasting to simply feel good, to lose body fat, to sleep better, or to clean up your gut, consider taking amino acids before a fasted workout to maintain muscle levels. As an added bonus, taking amino acids prior to sleep will help to stabilize sleep and provide a slow bleed of anabolic muscle repairing or muscle building energy during sleep. Be sure to opt for Essential Amino Acids (EAA's) rather than Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA's), as BCAA's will reduce the glycemic impact of fasting, while EAA's will not. Any active person who incorporates fasting into their life should include EAA's in their arsenal.