This Is What Happened to My Body When I Tried Intermittent Fasting
From time-restricted eating to alternate-day fasting, one meal a day fasting, and extended fasts, there are many forms of intermittent fasting (IF) that have been popularized in recent years. More an eating plan than a diet, IF doesn't say what you should eat but when, limiting your food consumption to eating windows of different lengths depending on the plan you choose. So, one woman decided to try intermittent fasting for a week to see if she could see any benefits.
What might those benefits be? A 2025 review published in The BMJ confirmed that all forms of IF can be effective for weight loss, while other studies have linked it to lower fasting blood sugar and insulin levels and the potential to extend lifespans.
Here's what one woman learned after she tried 18:6 intermittent fasting for one week, in her own words:
For best results, gradually extend your fast.
"I'm not a girl who forgets to eat. Food has always been a driving force in my life," shared Young. "But lately, I've overindulged, and so I decided to follow time-restricted eating, or fasting 18 hours out of the day and eating the other six (no food between 8pm and 2pm). The first day I managed to abstain all 18 hours, but it wasn't pretty.
Well, it turns out that abrupt withdrawal may not be the best way to go. Some experts recommend starting with just a couple of days a week of IF and working your way up, while others suggest gradually increasing the number of hours you fast from 12 to 14... up to 18. Still others say fasting isn't for everyone, and if it's making you miserable, just skip it. But I wasn't giving up that easily, so I tried the gradual approach, starting with 12, then extending my fasted hours over the course of the week and—surprise, surprise—those swirling food thoughts faded away."
Once you get into a groove, it feels easy.
"I work better with routine," shared Young. "When I was looking into intermittent fasting, I discovered neuroscientist Mark Mattson, author of The Intermittent Fasting Revolution, who has been researching the benefits of intermittent fasting for the brain. He has also been intermittent fasting himself for 35 years, so I emailed him for his tried-and-true advice. Here's what he said:
"I would suggest that in the morning you drink some tea or coffee and keep busy working until 1 p.m. If you usually exercise, then you may want to exercise at noon. Then eat a moderate amount of (healthy) food right after you exercise (e.g., 600 calories) and eat the rest of your food during a three-to-four-hour time window in the late afternoon to early evening. The biggest benefit is that your mind will be clearer and you will be more productive during the entire morning."
So that's what I did. I crossed off the majority of my work to-dos in the morning while drinking a ton—water, black coffee, bulletproof coffee, and green tea. At around 11 a.m. my stomach siren would go off, but knowing that noon yoga or a hike wasn't far off pushed me through. By the time I got home from yoga (around 1:30 p.m.), the hunger wasn't as overwhelming so I could eat my first meal, usually Greek yogurt with berries and slivered almonds, without ravenously wolfing it down. The rest of the day was easy: I usually ate dinner and maybe a sweet snack and that's it. Within a couple of days this became my new normal, the hangry switch turned off, and Mark was right: All that mental energy previously devoted to food—food prep, food planning, food consuming, food cleanup—seemed to flow elsewhere for improved focus."
Hunger pangs will come and go.
"There are a lot of food myths I used to eat up, but it turns out that you neither need to eat breakfast every day nor eat frequently throughout the day to keep your metabolism humming," Young said. "Something else I discovered: Hunger pangs don't automatically lead to overeating. I used to answer the call of cravings like I spring to the ding of a text—often and with urgency—but fasting taught me how to be comfortable with the discomfort of hunger. What helped? Coffee, tea, keeping a schedule (see above) and knowing that hunger is just a sensation that comes and goes. Just make sure you don't take it too far, because intermittent fasting doesn't mean you should be starving yourself."
The rules are incredibly easy to follow.
"When you commit to a diet like, say, Weight Watchers or Whole30, you've got points to add, forbidden foods to avoid, and a checklist of dos and don'ts that can make your head explode. Intermittent fasting rules are ridiculously simple, no guidebook or cookbook required, and you don't have to limit what foods you are eating. Wine, chocolate, and dessert are fair game!" said Young.
"The other thing that worked out in my favor was that it felt dang good. Granted, the first couple of hangry days were no fun, but on the other side of that, my energy levels skyrocketed, eating became an experience to be enjoyed rather than just food to be wolfed down, and everything seemed to have more flavor. Did strawberries always taste so sweet?"
Exercising in a fasted state can feel good.
"I never exercise on an empty stomach," Young said. "As a rule, I put something in the tank two hours before a hike or yoga class to make sure I don't peter out...or pass out. But it turns out that exercising in a fasted state worked for me. Instead of feeling light-headed, I had more grit and go. I marched up that mountain on a mission and planked with more purpose. And I was pleased to discover that science shows that exercising in a fasted state can supercharge your body's fat-burning potential."
There are benefits beyond the scale.
"I'd love to say I lost 10 pounds in a week, but my body doesn't really work that way," Young said. "And besides, I only fasted for seven days. I'm definitely eating less food and weirdly feeling less hungry, which over time will result in fat loss. Plus, it's intermittent fasting's built-in intrinsic motivation that keeps me going. My energy, focus, and motivation have all skyrocketed, and I've learned how to tell my hunger pangs who's boss. I'm happy to enjoy those benefits now and wait for the pounds to come off later."
This story was originally published in 2018 but has since been updated.
You Might Also Like
Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss?
Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Both Walking And Cycling Can Help You Lose Weight—But One Is More Effective
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Walking has had quite a year, between the rise of the viral hot girl walking trend on social media and walking accessories like bala bangles and weighted vests becoming trendy. It's a solid form of cardio, but that doesn't mean you should sleep on other heart-healthy workouts, like the oldie-but-goodie activity of cycling. Walking and cycling are two of the most popular types of aerobic workouts—and there's a reason. For starters, they're both low-impact, meaning, they're 'easier on the joints than, say, running or HIIT training,' says Olivia Amato, CPT, a bike, tread, boot camp, and strength instructor for Peloton based in New York City. When it comes to walking vs. cycling, both activities are great for beginners and can be made more difficult—either by walking with wrist or ankle weights, or cranking up the resistance on your bike. Both forms of exercise have perks when it comes to improving endurance, building strength, and losing weight, but one *may* reign supreme. Wondering which form of exercise to make a mainstay in your workout routine? Ahead, trainers reveal the benefits of both—and how to integrate walking and cycling into your schedule. Benefits Of Walking Walking is low-impact, so it's easy on the joints, and it's accessible—all you need is a pair of walking shoes—and you can get your steps in either outdoors or inside on a treadmill, says Claudette Sariya, CPT, a NASM-certified personal trainer and alum of the Women's Health/Men's Health Strength in Diversity initiative based in New York City. Walking is also easy to intensify. If you're used to walking on flat ground (or the treadmill), you can level up your walks by going uphill or increasing the incline, Sariya adds. You can also walk faster, or wear a weighted vest or ankle or wrist weights. Walking is also a weight-bearing exercise, as 'you're holding up your entire body as you're moving,' says Amato. This can strengthen your lower body and improve your posture, back pain, and bone density, adds Melissa Darlow, RDN, CPT, a New York City-based registered dietitian and certified trainer. And walking can definitely improve your endurance and stamina, depending on the type of walking you're doing and for how long. For instance, power walking is a great way to build your stamina, Amato says. Benefits Of Cycling Cycling is even lower-impact than walking, Amato says, adding that it's gentler on your knees and hips since pedaling provides support, so you don't have to hold your body up as much. You can pedal as slow or fast as you want and easily increase the resistance, so it's easy to control the intensity of the workout. The fact that you can add more resistance while cycling versus walking leads to bigger strength gains and more calories burned, Sariya Vest Level up your walking routine with this weighted vest. It comes in many different weight variations, from six to 30 pounds, and six colors. $60.49 at Stakt Weights These adjustable weights from Stakt are as cute as they are functional. Bring them on your favorite Peloton ride when you're instructed to lift dumbbells, and you'll feel the burn even more. $98.00 at Bala Bangles are a classic for a reason. Strapping these one- or two-pound wearable weights around your wrists or ankles during a walk or cycling class will add a bit more strength work into the activity. $44.00 at Walking vs. Cycling For Strength Generally, walking is 'definitely one of the forms of working out that's going to build lower body strength,' Amato says. It's a better core workout than cycling because you're standing up and you have to maintain your balance while moving, Sariya adds. (Walking up an incline works your core even harder because you have to brace it to protect your lower back, Amato adds.) Plus, if you're wearing a weighted vest, you'll work all of your lower body muscles, especially your outer quads and calves. However, you won't get a true strength workout from walking because you're not bearing as much weight as you would if you're lifting dumbbells, for example, Darlow says. You can really only build muscle while cycling if you're walking up an incline, but even then, it's not a lot, says Sariya. But 'in combination with other weightbearing exercises, absolutely, [walking] can lead to an increased level of strength,' Darlow says. When it comes to cycling, because there's an ability to add resistance, it builds more strength and muscle in your full body, especially your lower body muscles like the inner thighs, quads, hamstrings, glutes, calves, and ankles, Sariya says. You're also using your core and arms to hold yourself up. The resistance also helps build strength faster than you would if you were just walking, Amato adds. So, you can spend less time cycling than walking, and become stronger. Walking vs. Cycling For Weight Loss If you want to burn body fat, you'll want to get your heart rate into Zone 2 or 3—the threshold states where your body burns fat as fuel—either while walking or biking. You can do this by walking on an incline or increasing resistance on your bike—you just need to see that your heart rate hits that threshold. FYI, you'll know if you're doing Zone 2 cardio if your heart rate is at 60 to 70 percent of your max (multiply your age by 0.7, then subtract that number from 208). Or, if you don't own a tracker, you might feel like your rate of perceived exertion (RPE), i.e., the effort it takes you to do the workout, is at a three to five out of 10. For Zone 3 cardio, your heart rate will be at 70 to 80 percent of your heart rate max, and your RPE will be at a six out of ten. It's easier to burn calories faster on a bike because you can up the resistance. In order to burn the same amount of calories walking, you need to add weights and increase your speed, Sariya says. So, if you only have 20 minutes and you don't have a weighted vest or ankle weights, it's more efficient to hop on a bike if weight loss is your goal, Amato says. The most effective way to lose weight is by picking an activity you'll stay consistent with, Darlow says. So, if you sign up for a SoulCycle class pack but you hate cycling, you might end up losing more weight walking if you know you enjoy it more. Walking vs. Cycling For Cardiovascular Health Since you can tap into different cardio zones in both workouts, they're both good for heart health. But if you only have a few minutes for a workout, 'cycling is going to be your best bet because it's easy and quick for you to change your resistance and be able to switch from your Zone 2 into your Zone 4 and then back down,' Sariya says. But with walking, you might not have an incline or hills nearby to walk on, or there might be people in your way on the sidewalk, which makes it harder to change your speed to reach a higher zone. However, 'as long as someone is finding a regular movement routine and challenging themselves to an extent,' your heart will see benefits, regardless of whether you're walking or cycling, Darlow adds. Walking vs. Cycling For Your Goals Whether your goals are improving endurance, building strength, or losing weight, cycling is a better workout, especially if you only have a few minutes to exercise, Sariya says. But adding both walking and cycling into your routine is also beneficial for working the full body, Amato adds. Here's how to fit walking and/or cycling into your routine, based on your goals. If your goal is building endurance: Cycle or walk three to four times a week for 35 minutes, making sure that for 80 percent of the workout, your heart rate is in Zone 2 cardio. The other time should be spent cycling between Zone 3 and 4 cardio, Sariya says. This interval training will help build your endurance. If your goal is improving strength: Cycle two to three times a week for 35 to 45 minutes, cranking up your resistance so it feels like you're going uphill. On a scale of one to 10, you should feel like you're giving 70 or 80 percent in terms of how hard you're pushing, but also give yourself a few breaks during the workout. Supplement your cycling sessions with two to three days of strength training. If your goal is losing weight: Get at least 30 to 45 minutes of cardio in four to five days a week, whether you're walking on an incline or cycling with your resistance up. Make sure your heart is in Zone 2 or 3 for the entire workout so you burn fat. At the end of the day, both walking and cycling are great, and you'll see gains from both. 'What's right for you really depends on your personal goals and what makes you happy,' Amato says. 'Finding any way to move that you enjoy is really the goal.' So, whether you're walking or cycling, make sure to push yourself, and you'll see the best gains. Meet The Experts: Olivia Amato, CPT, is a bike, tread, boot camp, and strength instructor for Peloton based in New York City. Claudette Sariya, CPT, is a NASM-certified personal trainer and alum of the Women's Health/Men's Health Strength in Diversity initiative based in New York City. Melissa Darlow, RDN, CPT, is a New York City-based registered dietitian and certified trainer. Get the Workouts Get the Workouts Get the Workouts Get the Workouts Get the Workouts Get the Workouts Get the Workouts Get the Workouts Get the Workouts Get the Workouts You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
What Inflammation Really Does To Your Body, According To Doctors
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." You're feeling a little…off. Your body is achy, your brain feels foggy, you're getting rashes, and your digestive system is making more noise than your rowdy neighbors. Naturally, you start Googling. Before long, you've come up with a credible-sounding culprit—and it's a word more ominous than any of the symptoms you're experiencing. The word? Inflammation. 34.6 percent of American adults have systemic inflammation, according to 2024 research out of the University of Florida. It can be pretty serious. Inflammation is what's behind many chronic illnesses and most modern autoimmune diseases like arthritis, Crohn's disease, and lupus. And, unfortunately, the risks for autoimmune diseases are a lot higher for women. Four of every five people with an autoimmune disease are female, according to the National Institutes of Health, a complex puzzle researchers are still trying to solve. Put lightly, having unchecked inflammation throughout your body isn't necessarily a good thing. But there's more to it than its buzzy, bad-guy reputation would have you believe. Ahead, experts explain what inflammation is, when it's nothing to worry about, and when you should call your doctor. Meet the experts: Esther Sternberg, MD, is a physician, research director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, and author of Well at Work, Creating Wellbeing in Any Workspace. Shilpa Ravella, MD, is a gastroenterologist and author of A Silent Fire: The Story of Inflammation, Diet & Disease. When Inflammation Isn't So Bad Social media is full of advice on how to reduce inflammation, often accompanied by a pitch to buy a supplement or special tea. But sometimes, inflammation is actually on your side, a sign that your feisty white blood cells are working the way they're supposed to in order to fight off any threats. When your deltoid gets red and sore after a flu shot, for example, that's your immune system charging in to attack the virus—which is an inflammatory response. And while it's doing battle, it's also learning to recognize the virus, so that you can easily fend it off when flu season rolls around. Pretty smart. Without the inflammatory response, you wouldn't heal when you cut your finger while dicing onions, because it's your immune system that wards off infection and promotes scabbing. You wouldn't be getting strong and building muscle either. When you're working out correctly and not injuring yourself, you create small tears in your muscles that the inflammatory response helps repair and then strengthen. That's not to say it feels good. These forms of inflammation, known as acute inflammation, often bring side effects like redness, swelling, heat, pain, and even temporary loss of function of the body part affected. Luckily, for the discomforts acute inflammation brings, simple over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are usually all you need. Just be careful about not overdoing it, and try to hold off using them post-workout so the inflammation can have its positive effects. When Inflammation Goes Wrong Inflammation is like the helpful friend who will always rush first to your defense when you're in need—and mutiny if you push her too far. When your alert system malfunctions and inflammation hangs around too long, it becomes chronic, attacking what should be healthy areas instead of repairing damaged ones. 'Inflammation is not always helpful, or even harmless,' says Shilpa Ravella, MD, a gastroenterologist and author of A Silent Fire: The Story of Inflammation, Diet & Disease. 'It can rage against the body's own tissues, disrupting essential functions and leading to injury.' We know that untempered inflammation plays an important role in many chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, obesity, and diabetes. It also factors into rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, among other health issues. And while factors like genetics and environment play a major role in who develops inflammatory diseases, even lower-level chronic inflammation can undermine your overall well-being and make you more vulnerable to disease. A healthy system is alert to threats and fends them off as needed. One that's fighting all the time will feel like, well, it's fighting all the time, leading to issues like fatigue, joint pain, skin problems, or a rebellious stomach. But there are actions we can take to reduce risks and mitigate symptoms. 'Chronic, low-level inflammation is fueled in large part by dietary, lifestyle, and other environmental factors,' Dr. Ravella explains. How To Tell If Inflammation Is Something Serious A good rule of thumb is that if you know why you're experiencing an inflammatory reaction—like swelling around a cut—and can tolerate it, you likely don't have to worry. However, 'To err on the side of caution,' says Dr. Ravella, 'I always tell folks to visit the doctor if they have any concerning or out-of-the-ordinary symptoms that persist.' Talk to your medical team about what's been going on and for how long, to see if there's a more serious issue to be addressed. You'll also then be able to rule out other issues like anemia or hormonal changes, which might be the result of similar symptoms. Worried about chronic inflammation? Start here. Even with the odds stacked against women, there are simple steps we can take that make a big difference. Get Smarter About Your Stress Your immune system is responsible for setting off inflammatory reactions, and one of its biggest enemies is also one of the toughest to manage—stress. Chronic stress impacts the immune cells in the brain, according to a 2025 study in Biology. But that's not all: Chronic stress 'can make your chromosomes look 10 to 17 years older than your biological age," says Esther Sternberg, MD, a physician, research director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, and author of Well at Work, Creating Wellbeing in Any Workspace. This accelerated chromosomal aging means that your body doesn't repair itself as well as it should, making you more vulnerable to diseases like cancer and making your body feel older than the number on your driver's license. Before you freak out that your doomscrolling and deadlines are messing with your immune system and adding a decade or more to your body, remember that you can't—and wouldn't want to—eliminate stress from your life entirely. A dose of stress is what keeps you on your toes when you need to perform a task, and keeps you aware of your surroundings when you're walking home late at night. You just shouldn't be living your life 24/7 like you're trying to land a plane. Fortunately, all the things that you already do—or try to do—to keep yourself healthy will also help lower stress and, in turn, maintain your immune system and keep inflammation at bay. Think: good nutrition, rest, regular physical activity, and stress management exercises like meditation, mindfulness, or therapy. Best of all, these things all work really well together, like an Avengers team for your body. Catch Enough Zzzz's It's boring but it's true: 'Sleeping is really important for good health,' says Dr. Sternberg. During sleep, your body is working hard to repair itself, and your brain is washing out waste, setting you up for success when you wake up. Sleep actually controls the production of cells that are the drivers of inflammation, according to a 2022 study in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. Getting enough sleep means that less of these cells are floating around. So skip the caffeine later in the day, limit screen time before bed, or at least get some blue light filtering, and stick as closely to a regular bedtime as you can. Feed Your Anti-Inflammation Defenses There are countless reasons to ditch processed and fast foods, limit alcohol consumption, and eat a colorful, whole foods-based diet, and most of them will lead you straight back to reducing inflammation. The right foods can help maximize your heart health, lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, calm your stomach issues, and more. A great place to start is by introducing more fiber into your day. 'One statistic that is troubling is that 95 percent of Americans have a fiber deficiency,' says Dr. Ravella, 'Fiber is one of our most anti-inflammatory nutrients, and we want to go even beyond the recommended daily allowances (about 28 - 38 grams for adults) to prevent and to manage inflammation.' Fiber can affect every part of the immune system, whether directly or through the gut microbiome, she says. Want even more info on how to fight inflammation through your diet? Check out the Women's Health+ Anti-Inflammatory Diet Guide. Sweat It Out Among the many benefits of exercise, it can help lower the bad kind of inflammation while it promotes the good kind with muscle repair. 'We have many clinical trials across age groups that point to the ability of regular exercise to decrease chronic, low-level inflammation,' Dr. Ravella says. Its positive effect on inflammation isn't just because it can result in fat loss; exercise lowers the number of inflammatory proteins released in the body, she explains. It might even impact your gut microbiome, which plays a role in reducing inflammation. 'When it comes to exercise and inflammation, it's not primarily about the numbers on the scale, it's about realizing that exercise can affect hidden inflammation in the body regardless of body type or weight loss,' Dr. Ravella says. Consistency, as always, is key, so lean into the activities you enjoy. And if it's your thing, invite a buddy to the gym or on your morning run, to add an immunity shot of social connection to the package. Healthy relationships help build healthy immune systems, boosting your mental health and helping minimize your risk of inflammation-related conditions like Alzheimer's and heart disease. But Don't Sweat It Go easy on yourself when making lifestyle changes. "One of the problems with people trying to help themselves and reduce stress is if they can't, then they feel they're a bad person, they're guilty, or they failed," says Dr. Sternberg. "That's even more stressful." If you're feeling overwhelmed, start by targeting one thing, preferably the issue you struggle the most with, whether it's getting enough sleep or finding a workout that works. Allow yourself space for trial and error, and don't get discouraged. Building healthy habits takes time and some effort, but you've got this. After all, you've already got a whole army inside of you, and when you treat it right, it's fighting on your side. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
A 19-Year-Old Chemist Turned a Perfume Ingredient Into a Lifesaving Drug
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: 19-year-old Adam Kovalčík has created a stronger—and much cheaper—version of a powerful emerging medication known as galidesivir. Instead of starting out with the sugar, which is normally used in the production of this drug, he rebuilt the formula with a base molecule of corn alcohol. This change increases efficiency and cuts costs by reducing production steps and using inexpensive materials. We live in the aftermath of a global pandemic. Leftover COVID-19 trauma and world news updates reporting outbreaks of Zika or Ebola have made us apprehensive about viruses, and most of us have been vigilant about being vaccinated and re-vaccinated. But what about when preventative measures aren't enough? What happens if a virus invades us before we can get to a vaccine? Adam Kovalčík is only 19, but the high school senior at Gymnázium Nové Zámky in Slovakia he has created something beyond what anyone would expect of someone his age. He has managed to turn an alcohol derived from corncobs and husks into galidesivir, an antiviral drug that targets RNA viruses like Zika and Ebola. Generating the drug this way, in his words, 'could potentially save tens of thousands of lives.' Kovalčík recently won the $100,000 Genrge D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award at the 2025 Regeneration International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Galidesivir is the human-synthesized version of adenosine, which itself is a nucleoside—the components of nuclei acids. Among other biochemical functions, they are involved in storing and transferring genetic information. Adenosine is also an inhibitor of the enzyme RNA polymerase, which interferes with the function of certain enzymes in RNA viruses. The adenosine produced by our our bodies can inhibit RNA viruses (which clone their genomes in order to keep producing infinite copies of themselves), but it usually needs a boost when faced with potentially fatal pathogens like Ebola and Zika. This is where galidesivir comes in. Though not yet approved by the FDA, in vitro and animal tests have shown that galidesivir increases survival rates and has few side effects, which is why it is also being considered for treating COVID-19. It binds to the molecules that viruses use to clone themselves, making that function no longer accessible to the virus. The problem with galidesivir is that it costs $75 per gram (0.035 ounce) to produce, making the cost of a future prescription almost unfathomable, especially considering the state of healthcare. Kovalčík's process could bring that cost down to $12.50 per gram. Why is galidesivir so expensive? There is an extra step in the production of the most powerful form of this drug that ultimately affects the cost. When drugs are being developed, unwanted materials—such as variants of that drug—often end up in the first batch. These variants, or stereoisomers, have the same molecular formula as the finished drug, but their atoms form molecules in different arrangements. Kovalčík wanted to synthesize cis-OH galidesivir because it is 20 times stronger than its stereoisomer trans-OH galidesivir, so the trans version needs to be separated out to isolate the cis version. Separation involves extras steps that take extra time and cost more. Kovalčík used his experience working on perfumes in a chemistry lab to figure out how to synthesize galidesivir in a different way. He needed a starter molecule—typically, sugar is used for galidesivir, but sugar would just repeat the existing process, which was not efficient enough. Perfume taught Kovalčík that some scent compounds used furfural alcohol (corn alcohol) as a starter molecule, so he rebuilt the drug using it as the replacement starter molecule and was able to reduce the production steps from 15 to 10. Using corn alcohol also lowered the cost. This production method is not restricted to galidevisir—it could create other antivirals. Kovalčík used computer models to design new molecules that were supposed to operate in the same way as galidesivir, and one molecule he came up with (ADK-98) had the potential to be even more effective. The furfural alcohol distilled from corn would be the base for these future drugs. Kovalčík plans to continue refining his research and development process for this and other potential antivirals in collaboration with the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. And to think, this all started with a realization that came from molecules in perfume. Think about that with your next spritz of Dior Homme or Chanel No. 5. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life? Solve the daily Crossword
