In this issue, we are going to answer a few of the most unusual questions we get about intermittent fasting. In past issues, we have answered most of the common ones, so we didn’t want to skip over any of these more unusual ones, as they are good questions too!
Lots of our subscribers tell us they love reading the news on what we’re currently reading or watching, so of course, we’ll be bringing you that. For our premium subscribers, in this issue’s Research Spotlight we’ll be looking at an intriguing new study that looks at the promising results of doing “micro-workouts” on aerobic fitness. Wouldn’t it be nice to know you could get results from exercise in less time?
Plus our paid subscribers also get one of Ellen’s recipes each month and access to a live Q&A call. If you are a paid subscriber, last month we shared Ellen’s easy-to-make Matcha “Nice” Cream, which is a refreshing, totally non-dairy plant-based version of Matcha Ice Cream. This month we are featuring Ellen’s easy method for cold brewing Oolong and Green Tea, which are both excellent sources of health-giving antioxidants.
The paid option also includes a monthly live Q&A call with Ellen and Denise held on the second Tuesday of each month at 12 Noon Eastern (9 AM Pacific) time. The next call is on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.
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Three Unusual Questions About Intermittent Fasting
Over the past 34 issues of the IF Insider, we’ve fielded lots and lots of common questions…everything from “Can I fast if I am a diabetic?” (yes for Type 2 and doctor’s permission and no for Type 1 diabetics) to “What can I drink during the fast? (plain or sparkling water, green or black tea, or black coffee as long as all of them are unsweetened and unflavored, either naturally or artificially.)
But on occasion, we’ve been asked a few fairly unusual questions, so we want to answer those for you today:
One - Does using toothpaste break my fast?
First of all, you are not swallowing your toothpaste when you brush your teeth, so there are no calories to worry about. At least we hope you are not ingesting your toothpaste because many kinds of toothpaste contain chemicals such as fluoride which can be harmful if swallowed. So if you are brushing your teeth and then spitting the toothpaste out, then no, in terms of calories ingested, you are not breaking your fast.
Another reason that some folks worry about this has to do with the artificial flavors and sweeteners in toothpaste. They are worried that the flavor (peppermint for example) on the tongue might stimulate the body’s digestive response and cause a surge in insulin. Personally, I have not seen any research evidence that this is the case.
Oral hygiene is quite important, especially because when you fast, sometimes you can experience a “metallic” taste in your mouth and need to brush your teeth to get rid of it. And from personal experience, both Denise and I continued to brush our teeth during our fast and neither of us experienced any negative effects, such as a stall in weight loss, as a result.
You could use something like baking soda to brush your teeth, which is completely unflavored, but be warned that many dentists caution against this as the baking soda powder can be abrasive and not good for your tooth enamel.
NOTE: In January 2021, we were asked in the monthly Premium Subscriber Q&A about kinds of toothpaste containing saccharine, at one time thought to be associated with bladder cancer. That lead us to check the ingredients on tubes of toothpaste in our cabinets and we all discovered that each brand had saccharine as an ingredient.
Denise checked in with her dentist, Dr. Ramsey Amin, to find out what he recommended as the best natural toothpaste. His immediate reply:
Just make sure to use the one with fluoride. All the others are just like soap in your mouth. Without fluoride you are almost guaranteed to get root cavities.
This natural brand is what Dr. Amin recommends: Tom’s of Maine Simply White with Fluoride
Two - Can I smoke while fasting?
This question makes me cringe! But I get it, as nicotine is extremely addictive and also, some people use smoking as a weight control measure, as ill-advised as I believe that to be.
As with toothpaste, I have not seen any research evidence that smoking will break a fast. However, smoking has to be at the top of the list of things that are detrimental to your health. Presumably, you are fasting to improve your health and/or to lose weight, so the two would definitely work against each other.
If you smoke, please, please see your qualified health care provider for help in quitting. There are so many good products and programs on the market to help you be successful at giving up smoking for good!
Three - Will intermittent fasting make me more creative?
While we can’t speak to the benefits of increased creativity, there is evidence that fasting can increase focus, alertness, and productivity, helping you to do your best work.
Plus for most people, once they have gotten past the first couple of weeks and have become fat-adapted, they also report an increase in their general sense of well-being. And for those of us who have lost a considerable amount of weight due to intermittent fasting, we can attest that this is a tremendous boost to self-confidence.
Why It Matters
So there you have it. Three “weird” questions about intermittent fasting. If you have a question you have not seen answered, please send it to us and we will be sure to get the answer for you. No question is too weird for us!!
“The smart ones ask when they don’t know. And sometimes, when they do.”
~ Malcolm Forbes (1919 - 1990) - American entrepreneur and publisher of Forbes magazine, which was founded by his father, B.C. Forbes. He was an unabashed promoter of capitalism and free markets and was known for his extravagant lifestyle, which included a collection of yachts, aircraft, homes, art, and…Faberge eggs!
What We Are Reading 📚
With each issue, we bring you a short blurb on what we are currently reading or watching, including books, articles, podcasts, videos, movies, and research papers of value.
Denise - If you’ve been reading the IF Insider for very long, you know I’m slightly obsessed with cognitive health. When I learned that walnuts are the “ultimate brain-healthy snack” I had to look into this further.
I’ve never cared for walnuts too much. I’m more of a pecan gal. But I want the cognitive benefits of walnuts (healthy omega-3 fats) so I decided to figure out how to incorporate 1/4 cup of walnuts into my meals several days a week.
It’s actually pretty simple. I chop the nuts into small pieces and add them to my quinoa bowls, salads, and sauteed veggies. I’ve found I enjoy the crunch and don’t get the bitter flavor I have experienced in the past. This article talks about a longevity study with walnuts and other health benefits.
Ellen - When I had the opportunity to pre-order longevity investor and visionary Sergey Young’s new book, The Science And Technology Of Growing Young, I jumped at the chance. The book was just released today, so I have not yet had a chance to dive in.
I love Sergey’s mission: To extend the healthy lifespans of at least one billion people!! I was particularly interested in buying this book because I wanted to get the perspective of someone who is not a doctor or a research scientist, but someone who puts his money as an investor into the technology that he believes will help us live longer and healthier lives. I’ll let you know what I think of his book in our next IF Insider issue!
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