Does Intermittent Fasting Work for Everyone? What a DEXA Scan Can Prove

Intermittent fasting (IF) has become one of the most popular diet strategies, with people swearing by its benefits for fat loss, energy, and longevity. But the truth is, intermittent fasting doesn’t work the same for everyone. The key to knowing if it’s right for you lies in tracking body composition with a DEXA Scan.

At Kalos, we’ve seen clients thrive on IF, and others stall or even lose muscle. The difference isn’t guesswork; it’s data.

Why Intermittent Fasting Works for Some

1. Natural Calorie Reduction

Skipping meals often leads to eating fewer total calories, driving fat loss.

2. Improved Insulin Sensitivity

Shorter eating windows may improve blood sugar regulation and fat burning.

3. Simplicity

For many, fasting feels easier than strict meal planning.

Why It Doesn’t Work for Everyone

1. Muscle Loss Risk

If protein intake is too low during eating windows, lean mass may decline.

2. Overeating in the Eating Window

Some people compensate by eating more, canceling out calorie deficits.

3. Training Performance Issues

High-intensity training often suffers without steady fuel, making consistency harder.

4. Hormonal Differences

Men and women may respond differently, some women experience disrupted energy, sleep, or cycles with fasting.

How DEXA Scans Reveal the Truth

A DEXA Scan provides the data you need to evaluate if IF is working:

• Fat mass changes:  Are you actually losing fat, or just water weight?
• Lean mass tracking:  Are you holding onto or losing muscle during fasting?
• Visceral fat monitoring:  Is fasting reducing the most dangerous type of fat?
• Trends over time:  Monthly or bimonthly scans show if the strategy is sustainable.

Real-World Example

Two clients at Kalos both tried intermittent fasting for 90 days.

• Client A lost 10 lbs, with DEXA showing 8 lbs of fat loss and 2 lbs lean mass gained.
• Client B also lost 10 lbs, but scans revealed 6 lbs of muscle lost and only 4 lbs of fat reduction, not a good trade-off.

Without the scans, both would have assumed fasting worked equally well.

How to Personalize Intermittent Fasting with Data

• Scan before starting to establish a baseline.
• Adjust protein and training to protect lean mass.
• Use monthly scans to confirm progress is fat loss, not muscle loss.
• Reevaluate at 8–12 weeks, if scans show declining lean mass or rising visceral fat, fasting may not be the right approach for you.

Fasting Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Intermittent fasting can work, but only if it’s working for your body. With DEXA Scan, you’ll have the proof you need to know whether IF is helping you lose fat, preserve lean mass, and improve long-term health.

Book Your DEXA Scan with Kalos Today in Downtown San Francisco or Palo Alto!

If you’re ready to take control of your health with the most accurate body composition analysis available, it’s time to book your DEXA scan at Kalos. Whether you’re looking to get lean, build muscle, improve performance, or optimize longevity, our advanced technology and expert guidance will help you get there.

Schedule your scan today at Kalos, your journey to data-driven fitness starts now.

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