3. Lowers Cancer Risk

Emerging evidence indicates intermittent fasting practices help lower risk for many cancers. This is thought to be due to reductions in insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and inflammation.

Studies show intermittent fasting slows tumor growth rates and improves survival rates in animal models. The fasting-induced ketosis creates an environment unfavorable for cancer cells to proliferate. Increased cancer cell death (apoptosis) also occurs.

Population studies associate intermittent fasting with lower incidence of breast, prostate, lung, and other cancers. More clinical trials in humans are underway, but findings consistently link intermittent fasting to cancer prevention.