Discover the health benefits of fasting
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| Discover the health benefits of fasting |
The practice of fasting, is sometimes viewed as an extreme weight loss technique. However, many people who try fasting for this purpose do not realize there are reasons why fasting is actually not an optimum weight loss practice, even though it does in fact offer some other very helpful health benefits. Let’s take a look at some facts about this practice and discuss the health benefits of fasting.
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF FASTING
Calorie restriction and periods of fasting have
been shown to produce a number of significant health benefits. Though some
doctors and researchers are skeptical of the health benefits of fasting, the
evidence speaks for itself. Periodic fasting has been linked to improved
cardiac health, increased cognitive function, cancer prevention, and several
other health benefits.
been shown to produce a number of significant health benefits. Though some
doctors and researchers are skeptical of the health benefits of fasting, the
evidence speaks for itself. Periodic fasting has been linked to improved
cardiac health, increased cognitive function, cancer prevention, and several
other health benefits.
Detoxification
There is some debate regarding the idea that
fasting may help detoxify the body. Studies have shown, however, that fasting
encourages the body to enter a state of ketosis, which is beneficial for
cleansing the body of toxins. The modern Western diet is largely centered on
processed foods that are low in nutritional value and high in artificial
ingredients. As a result of digesting these foods, a significant amount of
waste products called advanced glycation end products (AGE) build up in
the cells. During fasting, the body may enter a state of ketosis in which it
begins to burn fat for energy because no carbohydrates are available. Toxins
including AGE are often stored in fat cells, so in burning those fat cells for
energy, the body may also be cleansed of built-up toxins.
fasting may help detoxify the body. Studies have shown, however, that fasting
encourages the body to enter a state of ketosis, which is beneficial for
cleansing the body of toxins. The modern Western diet is largely centered on
processed foods that are low in nutritional value and high in artificial
ingredients. As a result of digesting these foods, a significant amount of
waste products called advanced glycation end products (AGE) build up in
the cells. During fasting, the body may enter a state of ketosis in which it
begins to burn fat for energy because no carbohydrates are available. Toxins
including AGE are often stored in fat cells, so in burning those fat cells for
energy, the body may also be cleansed of built-up toxins.
Improved Cardiac Health
Research suggests that fasting may be beneficial
in improving heart health, though the science behind this claim continues to
evolve. Studies have shown that people who engage in fasting tend to have
greater heart health than those who do not, but this may be related to self-control
in food consumption and healthier eating choices. In 2008, the cardiovascular
department at the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, conducted a
study regarding the benefits of periodic fasting in reducing the risk for
coronary artery disease. This study was conducted on a group of two hundred
patients undergoing coronary angiography, many of whom belonged to the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Participants in this religion engage in
routine periodic fasting as a means of religious worship. Out of the patients
surveyed, those who engaged in regular fasting exhibited a 58 percent lower
risk for coronary disease (Horne, et al., 2008).
in improving heart health, though the science behind this claim continues to
evolve. Studies have shown that people who engage in fasting tend to have
greater heart health than those who do not, but this may be related to self-control
in food consumption and healthier eating choices. In 2008, the cardiovascular
department at the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, conducted a
study regarding the benefits of periodic fasting in reducing the risk for
coronary artery disease. This study was conducted on a group of two hundred
patients undergoing coronary angiography, many of whom belonged to the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Participants in this religion engage in
routine periodic fasting as a means of religious worship. Out of the patients
surveyed, those who engaged in regular fasting exhibited a 58 percent lower
risk for coronary disease (Horne, et al., 2008).
There is also evidence to suggest that fasting
may decrease low-density lipoprotein, or bad, cholesterol levels.
Regular fasting may also improve your body’s ability to metabolize sugar, thus
reducing your risk for developing diabetes and obesity two risk factors for
heart disease. It is also possible that fasting is more common among people who
are healthier to begin with those who abstain from alcohol, smoking, and
caffeine are also less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
may decrease low-density lipoprotein, or bad, cholesterol levels.
Regular fasting may also improve your body’s ability to metabolize sugar, thus
reducing your risk for developing diabetes and obesity two risk factors for
heart disease. It is also possible that fasting is more common among people who
are healthier to begin with those who abstain from alcohol, smoking, and
caffeine are also less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
Improved Anti-Inflammatory Response
During periods of fasting, the body increases
the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines while also decreasing the
production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are
typically produced by fat cells, and they are often linked to insulin
resistance and various metabolic diseases. In a fasted state, the body may go into
a state of ketosis in which it begins to burn fat cells, thus burning the
pro-inflammatory cytokines as well. A study conducted by the Ullevaal
University Hospital in Norway showed a link between periodic fasting and
decreased inflammation, stiffness, and joint pain.
the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines while also decreasing the
production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are
typically produced by fat cells, and they are often linked to insulin
resistance and various metabolic diseases. In a fasted state, the body may go into
a state of ketosis in which it begins to burn fat cells, thus burning the
pro-inflammatory cytokines as well. A study conducted by the Ullevaal
University Hospital in Norway showed a link between periodic fasting and
decreased inflammation, stiffness, and joint pain.
Improved Immunity
Periodic fasting may help boost immune system
health by redirecting energy consumption to the immune system. Digestion of
food requires a significant amount of energy during periods of fasting, that
energy can be diverted to immune system functions instead. Fasting may also
provide the body with a period of rest, giving your immune system a chance to
improve its defenses against everyday infection.
health by redirecting energy consumption to the immune system. Digestion of
food requires a significant amount of energy during periods of fasting, that
energy can be diverted to immune system functions instead. Fasting may also
provide the body with a period of rest, giving your immune system a chance to
improve its defenses against everyday infection.
Increased Cognitive Function
If exercise stimulates your muscles, fasting has
a similar effect on your brain. Fasting has been shown to increase the brain’s
resistance to toxins that may cause cellular damage or stress. Mark Mattson of
the National Institute on Aging suggests that fasting may also stimulate the
production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a protein
crucial for healthy neurological function. BDNF is instrumental in improving
learning and in protecting the brain against degeneration associated with aging
and stroke. Studies have linked low BDNF levels to a number of psychological
disorders including depression and neurodegenerative diseases.
a similar effect on your brain. Fasting has been shown to increase the brain’s
resistance to toxins that may cause cellular damage or stress. Mark Mattson of
the National Institute on Aging suggests that fasting may also stimulate the
production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a protein
crucial for healthy neurological function. BDNF is instrumental in improving
learning and in protecting the brain against degeneration associated with aging
and stroke. Studies have linked low BDNF levels to a number of psychological
disorders including depression and neurodegenerative diseases.
In a fasted state, the body begins to utilize
fat for fuel in a process that produces ketone bodies. Evidence suggests
that these ketone bodies may help to protect the brain against
neurodegenerative diseases including autism, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s. The act
of fasting also increases autophagy in the body, the process through
which damaged cells are broken down and disposed of. Damaged cells like those
disposed of during autophagy have been linked to a number of neurological
diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The results of a study
conducted by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, published in 2006, supports
the theory that calorie restriction may benefit Alzheimer’s prevention. The
study involved squirrel monkey test subjects those given a 30 percent calorie
reduction were found to have reduced contents of Abeta 1-40 and Abeta 1-42
peptides, suggesting that calorie restriction may be related to preventing
Alzheimer’s disease (Qin, et al., 2006).
fat for fuel in a process that produces ketone bodies. Evidence suggests
that these ketone bodies may help to protect the brain against
neurodegenerative diseases including autism, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s. The act
of fasting also increases autophagy in the body, the process through
which damaged cells are broken down and disposed of. Damaged cells like those
disposed of during autophagy have been linked to a number of neurological
diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The results of a study
conducted by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, published in 2006, supports
the theory that calorie restriction may benefit Alzheimer’s prevention. The
study involved squirrel monkey test subjects those given a 30 percent calorie
reduction were found to have reduced contents of Abeta 1-40 and Abeta 1-42
peptides, suggesting that calorie restriction may be related to preventing
Alzheimer’s disease (Qin, et al., 2006).
Increased Longevity
In 1934, a study conducted by Mary Crowell and
Clive McCay of Cornell University revealed that feeding rats a reduced-calorie
diet while maintaining adequate micronutrient levels resulted in life spans
nearly double the expected length (Crowell, et al., 1934). Similar tests have
been successful with roundworms and fruit fly test subjects, but the evidence
regarding the benefits of fasting for increasing longevity in primates and
humans remains inconclusive. In 1989, the Institute on Aging at the University
of Wisconsin Madison started a study on rhesus macaques. The study is ongoing,
but results published in 2009 showed that calorie restriction slowed aging and
delayed the onset of age-related disorders.
Clive McCay of Cornell University revealed that feeding rats a reduced-calorie
diet while maintaining adequate micronutrient levels resulted in life spans
nearly double the expected length (Crowell, et al., 1934). Similar tests have
been successful with roundworms and fruit fly test subjects, but the evidence
regarding the benefits of fasting for increasing longevity in primates and
humans remains inconclusive. In 1989, the Institute on Aging at the University
of Wisconsin Madison started a study on rhesus macaques. The study is ongoing,
but results published in 2009 showed that calorie restriction slowed aging and
delayed the onset of age-related disorders.
Cancer Prevention and Treatment
The same study conducted in 1934 at Cornell
University that revealed that rats subjected to calorie restriction tended to
live longer also revealed a decreased risk for developing cancer (Crowell, et
al., 1934). More conclusive studies conducted by the University of California,
Berkeley and Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago suggest that intermittent fasting
may not only help prevent cancer but also be beneficial in treating it. Cancer
cells require glucose in order to grow. In a fasted state, there is little
glucose in the bloodstream, which produces a hostile environment for cancer
cells. Because cancer cells tend to spread slowly over a number of years,
periods of intermittent fasting may help kill the cancer cells before they are
able to spread.
University that revealed that rats subjected to calorie restriction tended to
live longer also revealed a decreased risk for developing cancer (Crowell, et
al., 1934). More conclusive studies conducted by the University of California,
Berkeley and Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago suggest that intermittent fasting
may not only help prevent cancer but also be beneficial in treating it. Cancer
cells require glucose in order to grow. In a fasted state, there is little
glucose in the bloodstream, which produces a hostile environment for cancer
cells. Because cancer cells tend to spread slowly over a number of years,
periods of intermittent fasting may help kill the cancer cells before they are
able to spread.
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| Lose weight, detoxify, and enjoy better health on the Fast Diet |
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| Lose weight, detoxify, and enjoy better health on the Fast Diet |
