You know that fast driving is bad for your health. But what about life in the fast-ing lane?

Well, studies show that adopting basic intermittent fasting by restricting your meals to eight or fewer hours a day is associated with reduced inflammation, lower insulin levels, and significant weight loss.

According to John Hopkins Medicine, other rewards include improved memory as well as lower blood pressure, resting heart rate, and glucose levels. And for people with prediabetes, intermittent fasting can decrease insulin resistance, even if no weight is lost.

During the hours you do eat, stick with a Mediterranean diet loaded with vegetables and fruits, fatty fish such as salmon, and healthy fats such as olive oil. Avoid ultra-processed foods, red and processed meats, saturated and trans fats, and added sugars and syrups.

Then during the 16 or so hours you are fasting, enjoy water and no-calorie beverages such as tea and coffee.

A new study of a form of intermittent fasting called alternate-day fasting (ADF), in which you eat just 500-600 calories every other day, reveals a way to double your weight loss.

You can combine ADF with regular sessions of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise to shed more pounds when you are doing the basic 8/16 intermittent fast. Five days a week, try interval walking, swimming, and/or taking an aerobics class.

Talk to your doctor to make sure intermittent fasting won't cause problems with your medications or health issues. Then give it a try.