Intermittent Fasting and Fertility
Intermittent fasting for fertility? Yes - BUT only for women with high fasting insulin levels. This is a simple blood test I have all my patients do. If it's high, that insulin could be getting in the way of follicle maturation, harming egg quality, and affecting placenta development. So for fertility we need to decrease it. Fasting is an effective and simple way to lower fasting insulin levels. HOWEVER, for women, fasting for too long is seen as a stressor by the body. So I never recommend longer than 14 hours. 12-14 is the sweet spot. It means no calories, and no coffee (which essentially raises blood sugar). I always check in with the patient that...