Medical Offices of Manhattan’s Internist, Dr. Denise Pate speaks to Purewow about eating before or after a workout.
She’s quoted saying:
“Fasted cardio is exercise done in a fasted state, in which your body is no longer processing or digesting food. Benefits include increased lipolysis, fat oxidation and decreased insulin levels. When the body is resting, especially during sleep, blood insulin levels begin to drop. This means the body turns to using fat as energy instead of carbohydrates. These benefits all stem from increased body fat loss.”
OK, but is it safe? Per Dr. Pate, yes—if it’s done correctly. “Exercising or doing cardio during a fasted state can cause low blood sugar, which could lead to feelings of lightheadedness or lethargy. Because our body derives energy from a different source when we do fasted cardio, this energy can come from muscle. Some may experience muscle loss, especially the elderly. If you have other metabolic diseases or health concerns such as diabetes, it is best to contact your doctor prior to doing fasted cardio to prevent low blood sugar.”
View the original piece placement on Purewow.
