When Isagenix was first founded in 2002, the company identified the practice of intermittent fasting as a key method for achieving substantial health benefits. Isagenix developed its own version of intermittent fasting through “Cleanse Days,” featuring Cleanse For Life, an antioxidant and botanical-rich beverage developed to support the body’s own detoxification mechanisms. These Cleanse Days were also paired with quality, science-based nutrition and calorie restriction comprising “Shake Days.”

Now it’s little wonder that intermittent fasting (or as we like to call our version, “cleansing”) has been an extremely hot topic in the world of biomedical research. In fact, over the last decade there have been ever-increasing numbers of scientific publications on the topic. However, scientists weren’t always intrigued by the research and it wasn’t until the last several years that the mounting evidence on intermittent fasting as a practice really began to gain momentum and acceptance for weight loss.

At Isagenix we pride ourselves on being ahead of the curve. We recognized the power of cleansing and have been advocating it in the form of nutritionally supported fasting since our inception. Not only does our form of intermittent fasting work, but it also offers a sustainable, simple option to shed stubborn pounds. The reason “sustainability” is important is because while many diets help people lose weight at first, the majority of people experience the “yo-yo” effect where they perpetually lose and regain weight (1-9).

Isagenix uses a mixture of programs that change the timing of eating with short-term fasts to improve body composition and overall health. For example, the system offers a diet with a moderate amount of quality protein that helps maintain a sufficient metabolic rate during weight loss and weight maintenance (10). In the Isagenix Weight Loss System, we also include an intermittent fasting and calorie restriction protocol that’s found through scientific research to be effective in reducing body weight, fat mass, and visceral fat mass in overweight and obese subjects (11-13). Longer studies looking at intermittent fasting lasting 12-24 weeks have found reduction of body weight by upwards of 10 percent that favorably alter metabolism; something that many other diets truly can’t boast (14).

How is this form of weight loss so effective? The newer research has found benefits that include using body fat for energy during fasting periods, reducing fat mass and improving insulin sensitivity after each fasting episode (15, 16).

Other research suggests fasting also activates cellular repair or “self-cleaning” mechanisms (17, 18). Reports of important metabolic and cardiovascular benefits deserve further consideration, such as how the decreases in fat mass affect other factors implicated in cardiovascular health (19, 20). It’s also clear from the scientific literature that fasting substantially increases human growth hormone, which facilitates fat burning and fatty acid release, but can also lead to other potential benefits long term (21).

The most important fact about cleansing is that it works. The Isagenix System as a whole is one of convenience–providing delicious, nutrient-packed, quality products and flexibility, so that you can make the system work for you in achieving your personal goals.

Note: This article originally appeared as part of our Spring Newsletter: Cleansing. 

References

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  3. Franz MJ, VanWormer JJ, Crain AL, Boucher JL, Histon T, Caplan W, Bowman JD & Pronk NP. Weight-loss outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of weight-loss clinical trials with a minimum 1-year follow-up. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007 Oct; 107(10):1755-67.
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  9. Heymsfield SB, Harp JB, Reitman ML, Beetsch JW, Schoeller DA, Erondu N & Pietrobelli A. Why do obese patients not lose more weight when treated with low-calorie diets? A mechanistic perspective. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Feb; 85(2):346-54.
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  13. Kroeger CM, Klempel MC, Bhutani S, Trepanowski JF, Tangney CC & Varady KA. Improvement in coronary heart disease risk factors during an intermittent fasting/calorie restriction regimen: Relationship to adipokine modulations. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2012 Oct 31;9(1):98.
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