Intermittent fasting is often promoted as a universal solution for metabolic health, but women’s physiology tells a more nuanced story.

In this episode, Dr. Ashley Burton breaks down why fasting is a hormetic stress and how women respond differently due to hormonal fluctuations, cortisol sensitivity, and reproductive energy demands. You’ll learn why skipping breakfast and eating late may backfire for many women, and how aligning food intake with circadian rhythm can better support hormones, blood sugar, sleep, and fertility.

This conversation reframes fasting through a female lens, emphasizing timing, dose, and context rather than rigid rules. Whether you are cycling, trying to conceive, navigating perimenopause, or simply feeling burnt out by “doing all the right things,” this episode offers a grounded, physiology-based approach to time-restricted eating.

Inside this episode, we cover:

• Fasting as a stressor and how hormesis works in the female body
• Why women are more sensitive to energy availability and timing
• The problem with skipping breakfast and eating late
• A more hormone-supportive model of fasting for women
• The overlap between fasting, exercise, and cumulative stress
• Who should avoid fasting altogether

This episode is educational, compassionate, and rooted in biology, not trends.

For deeper learning and practical application, this topic is expanded inside the FERN Rising Skool community.

Link to FERN Rising on Skool: https://www.skool.com/ashley-burton-9797/about?ref=a0dc10c4708d49099727ac1538985dee

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or treatment plan. The opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employers or associated organizations.