Intermittent fasting is a powerful tool for physical health and should be considered as part of a wellness routine in midlife. Benefits of intermittent fasting include stem cell regeneration, improved digestive health, weight loss, balanced blood sugar levels, and better hormone health.  We’re discussing all of this and more in this week’s episode of The Life after Kids Podcast.  Giving the body significant breaks between meals with intermittent fasting, enables it to enter a state of healing and repair known as autophagy. This allows the body to clean up dead and dying cells and build new ones, which is key for longevity.  Intermittent fasting also gives the digestive tract a break and can help reset the microbiome.  When intermittent fasting, it’s important to listen to one's body, adjust your fasting routine accordingly, and consult with a health care provider when necessary.  For more on intermittent fasting for women, listen to episode 11 of The Life after Kids Podcast in its’ entirety. Timestamped Chapter SummaryIntroduction to the benefits of intermittent fasting (0:00:00)Controversies surrounding intermittent fasting (0:01:07)Building muscle and fasting (0:02:39)Autophagy and the benefits of intermittent fasting for cell repair (0:03:09)The benefits of intermittent fasting for gut health (0:03:57)The benefits of fasting for stem cell regeneration (0:04:35)How fasting helps rebuild new tissue (0:05:32)The benefits of fasting for gut health, weight loss, and blood sugar balance (0:07:01)The production of ketones during fasting and its benefits for brain function (0:08:09)The importance of diet variation for overall health (0:09:32)How to begin a fast and the importance of variation (0:09:33)The importance of understanding how fasting affects women's hormones (0:10:14)The basics of women's hormonal cycles and how to balance them with fasting (0:12:25)The best way to start fasting (0:14:32)The importance of variation in fasting (0:15:28)Tracking your menstrual cycle and fasting (0:16:13)The importance of nourishing your body during the menstrual phase (0:17:22)Understanding the different phases of the menstrual cycle and how to fast during each phase (0:18:24)Cycling in and out of keto and eating carbs with intermittent fasting (0:23:07)The importance of variation in diet (0:23:37)Fasting and calorie restriction (0:24:15)Fasting and blood sugar balance and leptin levels (0:25:15)The importance of fasting for overall health and reducing obesity rates (0:25:47)The correlation between weight and health (0:26:20)The importance of being at the right size for your body and genetic makeup (0:26:54)The importance of avoiding flavor during fasting (0:28:55)The benefits of electrolytes for fasting and keto (0:31:11)The importance of eating after fasting and building muscle (0:32:22)Different fasting time frames and benefits (0:33:06)The importance of bone broth during longer fasts (0:35:03)The impact of intermittent fasting on anxiety and blo use AFTERKIDS15! for 15% off your purchase at www.ryzesuperfoods.com Enjoy the show, and we hope you learn a little bit more about living a fulfilling, vibrant, and meaningful Life after Kids! If you like what you hear please rate and review the podcast, hit subscribe, and pass it along to a friend. Making tomorrow even better than today, Dr. Brooke and Dr. Lynne PS... Don't forget to follow us! Instagram Facebook Tik Tok