Friday Q&A: intermittent fasting; alcohol & marijuana use; Diet Coke; & blood testing for menopause?

A cornucopia of subscriber questions 🍁

ICYMI 👉

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Question #1 (about intermittent fasting) is free for everyone. Questions #2-4 (about binge drinking and marijuana; Diet Coke; and testing for menopause) are for paid subscribers only.

Click here to submit your questions (about anything) for future Q&A posts!

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are entirely my own. They do not reflect those of my employer, nor are they a substitute for advice from your personal physician.

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QUESTION #1: INTERMITTENT FASTING

What do you think about intermittent fasting? Your podcast guest Dr. Mary Claire Haver says she swears by it, but I hear other doctors saying that it doesn’t work in the long run. I am interested in your take on this. Thank you! - Annie

My short answer is: it depends.

Some people find that putting a fence around otherwise haphazard eating habits helps them stay accountable to their goals—either to lose weight or improve their metabolism. If it works for you, that’s great!

I find, however, that many of my patients who try intermittent fasting report feeling irritable, inattentive, or “hangry”—ultimately making this type of routine difficult to adhere to. Additionally, restrictive eating behaviors are never a good idea for people with disordered eating or anxiety.

What does the data show? Despite the hype, intermittent fasting has not been shown to do much! (Here is an excellent piece about intermittent fasting by the ever-sensible primary care physician,

Adam Cifu, MD

.)

Extreme diets typically don’t work in the end. Whether it’s with weight loss or any other health goal, we pave the way for long-term success when lifestyle changes are realistic and sustainable first.

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

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QUESTION #2: ALCOHOL & MARIJUANA USE

What do you make of the NY Times article that said binge drinking and marijuana use among middle-aged adults are at all-time high levels? -BK from Jacksonville, FL

Hi BK,