The Health Benefits of Fasting. Are They Real?

The Health Benefits of Fasting. Are They Real?
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Fasting entails abstinence of food for a specified period extending beyond normal intervals between meals. The most common duration of fasting is between dawn and dusk, or for a period of 24 hours, though fasts can last anywhere between eight and seventy two hours.

The two most common type of fasting are dry fasting, which entails abstinence from all food, both solid and liquid for the specified period, and normal fasting, which entails abstinence from only solid foods. The two popular types of normal fasting are juice fasting and water fasting.

This article lists out dry fasting benefits.

Fasting for Detoxification

One of the major health benefits of fasting is detoxification of the human body. The human body undertakes a continuous process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and skin. Fasting precipitates this process.

During fasting, the human body deprived of outside sources of energy breaks down the stored up fat to produce energy. Such fat reserves were initially stored when the body had an excess of glucose and carbohydrates, and breaking them down releases the toxic chemicals trapped inside them into the blood, for the body to neutralize them the in the normal manner.

Fasting for detoxification brings many benefits, such as:

  • Restoration of taste appreciation for wholesome natural foods, buried under a lifetime of taste buds adjusted to stimulated foods such as caffeine
  • Elimination of bad habits such as binge eating
  • Overcoming addictions to a variety of drugs such as caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana
  • Removing impurities from the skin, leading to clear skin and white eyes

Fasting and Metabolism

Fasting leads to depletion of energy sources and hence a slower metabolic rate. Deprivation of outside sources of carbohydrates lead to a drop in blood sugar level and cause the use up of the glucose stored in liver glycogen. This prompts the body to reduce the basal metabolic rate (BMR) in an effort to conserve as much energy within the body as possible.

The health benefits of fasting caused by slow metabolism include:

  • A more efficient than normal protein production
  • Greater than normal production of growth hormones
  • Strengthening of the immunity system
  • Reduction of core body temperature
  • Correction of high blood pressure without medication

Fasting and Immune System

Fasting entails rest for the digestive system. This causes diversion of energy normally used by the digestive system to the immunity system, and contributes to enhancement of the body’s self-healing mechanism. The human body’s natural tendency to loose hunger during influenza, and animals stopping eating when wounded are indicators to this effect.

The diversion of energy to the immune system accelerates production of protein for replacement of damaged cells and cut-off of energy supply to abnormal growths. The higher protein synthesis results in healthier cells, tissues, and organs, and leads to many benefits such as:

  • Improvement of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, colitis, asthma, and hepatitis
  • Normalization of insulin-resistance characteristics associated with diabetics
  • Drying up of abnormal fluid accumulations such as edema in the ankles and legs and swelling in the abdomen.
  • Deprivation of energy supply to abnormal growths such as tumors, fibroids, and cysts, making such ailments more susceptible to autolysis

Fasting and Weight Loss

Regular fasting contributes to weight loss. The first two days of fasting results in loss of two pounds weight a day, attributable to the weight of the water not consumed. The loss of body weight because of fat depletion starts from around the third day and contributes to around ½ a pound a day.

Fasting leads to elimination of obesity caused by overeating. The food deprivation shrinks the stomach back to its normal size.

Although many people find food deprivation and the break from the established diet regimen demanded by fasting too daunting, fasting remains a popular gateway to a healthful diet and lifestyle. The health benefits of fasting goes much beyond the apparent and extends to generating motivation and enthusiasm to make a fresh start.

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute medical advice.The health benefits of fasting listed in this article may not apply universally to all people. Readers are advised not to act based on the information contained in this article without consulting a certified medical practitioner.

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