Professional golfer Phil Mickelson, who made his 32nd beginning in the Masters this week, has been opened about his commitment to health and well -being.
The six -time older and three -time Masters winner has said that a prolonged five days follows, which led him to fall 25 pounds in 2023.
Intermittent fasting (IF) has become a popular weight loss strategy in recent years.
This weight loss plan works better than the traditional diet, the study finds
There are several types of intermittent fasting, but all follow the same concept of alternation between fasting and food.
Phil Mickelson is photographed competing in golf tournaments 24 years apart, in 2001 (left) and 2025 (right). The six -time older and three -time Masters winner has said that a prolonged five days follows, which led him to fall 25 pounds in 2023. (Reuters / AP)
With a restricted approach in time, the diet only eats during a certain window. For example, with method 16/8, the person fasts for 16 hours and then can eat within a period of eight hours, between 10 am and 6 pm
Other versions involve fasting for 24 hours once or twice a week, or just consume limited calories in fasting days.
The diet similar to fasting could delay the aging process, the study suggests: “Living more and more healthy”
Dr. Christopher Rhodes – AlEITHERNgevity researcher, fasting and biomimetics in California, shared his thoughts on the Radical Fasting program of Mickelson, which also includes drinking coffee with supplements.
“A prolonged fasting of five days like the one followed by Phil Mickelson will have deep effects on metabolism and weight loss,” Digital Fox told Fox News.
Phil Mickelson watches in the sixth hole during the first round in the Masters Golf Tournament on April 10, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. The athlete has been opened about his commitment to health and well -being. (AP photos)
“The status of energy and fuel sources in the body and the forces stored fat to burn as energy, but certainly at the expense of an athletic elite performance, especially in the posterior stages of an fasting,” changes fundamentally.
Potential risks
Fasting for more than 24 hours will exhaust the glycogen stores of the body and will make cetosis, a state in which it burns mainly fat and ketones to obtain energy, according to Rhodes, who is also the founder of Nutrition Company Mimio Health.
“While this will accelerate fat loss and provide benefits to general metabolic health, the body will still need to produce part of its own glucose to support the function of the brain and begin to break the protein sources, such as muscle, to maintain adequate glucose levels.”
“A prolonged five days like Phil Mickelson will have deep effects on metabolism and weight loss.”
Over time, this will result in muscle decomposition, loss of strength, fatigue and general levels of general energy, which could hinder sports performance, according to the expert.
Mickelson has talked about his own muscle loss as a result of his fast.
“I also lost muscle, so I had to start lifting, and I have been raising and slowly I have been recovering my speed and strength where I need it to be,” he said during the 2023 Masters.
There are several types of intermittent fasting, but all follow the same concept of alternation between fasting and food. (Istock)
For elite athletes, the maintenance of muscle mass and metabolic flexibility is critical, Rhodes said.
“Extended fasting can slow recovery, harm the performance of the high intensity exercise and even reduce output power if they are not properly managed.”
The doctor warned that a prolonged five -day fast should not be done more than a few times a year, with a lot of recovery time in the middle.
Fasting could reduce the signs of Alzheimer’s disease, studies suggest: ‘deep effects’
Certain groups, such as those at risk of muscle loss, such as the elderly, should avoid five -day fasts, he said.
“While fasting can improve sensitivity to insulin, cognition, cellular function and metabolic efficiency, the shortest intermittent fasting windows or fasting imitation strategies can offer similar metabolic benefits without the inconveniences of extreme caloric restriction,” Rhodes added.
Intelligent supplements
According to reports, Mickelson drinks coffee with supplements during his fasts, something Rhodes recommends as a means to preserve muscle energy and mass during weight loss.
“During prolonged fasting, the body begins to break down proteins and fat to obtain energy, which can cause muscle loss,” he said.
According to reports, Mickelson drinks coffee with supplements during his fasts, something Rhodes recommends as a means to preserve muscle energy and mass during weight loss. (Istock)
“Supplements such as amino acids, fatty acids, electrolytes and certain metabolic bioactives can help mitigate this.”
The doctor pointed out that the supplement with branched chain amino acids (BCAA), creatine or HMB (hydroxymethylbutirate) can help preserve muscle tissue, performance and strength while keeping in a state of fasting.
Intermittent fasting could reduce hair growth, the study reveals
“Similarly, supplementing with essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and Omega 3 such as EPA and DHA, that the body cannot produce on its own, it would be crucial to maintain a high level functionality during prolonged fasting of several days,” he added.
Phil Mickelson hits from the street on the first hole during the first round in the Masters Golf Tournament on April 10, 2025, in Augusta, Georgia. For elite athletes, the maintenance of muscle mass and metabolic flexibility is critical, Rhodes said. (AP photos)
The coffee caffeine can also serve to provide calorie -free energy, Rhodes said, while suppressing appetite and provides a cognitive impulse to combat fast -induced brain fog.
“Prolonged fasting can exhaust electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and magnesium, which are essential for muscle function, hydration and energy production,” he said. “If your supplements include these electrolytes, they can help prevent cramps and fatigue.”
Importance of strength training
Regarding Mickelson’s comments about lifting weights during his fasting periods, Rhodes agreed that weightlifting is essential to preserve and develop muscle during weight loss.
Click here to get the Fox News application
“The body operates at the beginning of ‘Use or lose’, especially during periods of caloric restriction or fasting, where you need to mobilize body energy sources to sustain yourself,” said the doctor.
“Muscle is one of the most expensive tissues strongly to maintain, so if we are not using it daily, the body will preferably begin to break down the muscle to preserve energy.”
Weight lifting is essential to preserve and develop muscle during weight loss, experts agree. (Istock)
Resistance training sends a signal to the body that lean mass is essential for survival and tells you to avoid excessive muscle decomposition, prioritizing fuel fat.
“For athletes like Mickelson, weightlifting also helps maintain neuromuscular coordination, joint integrity and output power,” Rhodes said.
Click here to register in our health newsletter
“Strength training improves insulin sensitivity, improves metabolic rate and ensures that weight loss comes mainly from fat instead of muscle.”
It is also important to refue after fasting with adequate protein intake, the expert added.
Find healthy patterns
Ultimately, according to Rhodes, the best way to support long -term weight loss and metabolic health is to find a feeding pattern that works for the individual and that can be maintained in the long term.
“During prolonged fasting, the body begins to break down proteins and fat to obtain energy, which can cause muscle loss.”
“While some find that fasting periods are useful to restore their signs of hunger and satiety and develop a better relationship with food, others can find it too restrictive and overwhelming, preparing for failure and rebounds along the way,” he said.
For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
“Each person is different, but prioritizing dense foods in nutrients and minimally processed that are rich in fiber, healthy proteins and fats can significantly help reduce cravings and improve the quality of life and satisfaction of meals.”
