TOPS Nashville discusses intermittent fasting

Local club explores fasting benefits at weekly meeting in Nashville.

On Feb. 18, TOPS1573 Nashville opened with pledges.

Janice Tope was the best weekly loser and suggested drinking one glass of water first thing in the morning.

Lana Rush was the best weekly KOPS.

Gay Keller presented a program on intermittent fasting, which has been associated with benefits such as improved metabolic health, better cardiovascular function and potentially longer life. Intermittent fasting is an eating plan based on designated times for consuming food. Three common approaches include the following:

—The 16:8 method, which involves a 16-hour fast and an eight-hour eating window.

—The 5:2 plan, in which participants eat normally for five days and reduce calories to 25% on two nonconsecutive days.

—One-meal-a-day fasting, which involves fasting for just under 24 hours two to three times per week.

The club meets at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Nashville Global Methodist Church, with weigh-in at 5 p.m.