Dr Mindy Pelz, a nutrition and functional medicine expert, has shared a fasting method she claims can effectively target stubborn belly fat. Speaking on the Diary Of A CEO podcast, she recommended a 36-hour fasting period followed by 12 hours of eating, which she calls the 'fat burner fast'.
According to Dr Pelz, after 36 hours of fasting, blood sugar levels drop, triggering autophagy and reducing inflammation. The body then begins to burn fat for energy, particularly around the abdomen. She cited research showing that participants who followed this pattern for 30 days lost weight primarily from their belly area.
Dr Pelz suggested that doing this fast once a week can significantly reduce waist circumference. However, she advised that the method is intense and not suitable for everyone. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with eating disorders, diabetes, or those under 18 should consult a doctor before attempting it.
Intermittent fasting, which involves eating within specific time windows, has gained popularity for its potential to induce ketosis, a state where the body burns fat for energy. Dr Pelz's 36-hour approach extends this concept to target visceral fat more directly.
