Many of us are well aware of the spiritual and psychological benefits of fasting. But modern science is now confirming that fasting is beneficial to our physical health in many remarkable ways.
Here are 11 Remarkable Health Benefits of Fasting
1. Fasting can be a safe and effective way to lose weight.
Studies show that fasting increases your resting energy expenditure- how quickly you burn calories at rest.º¹²³
It has been shown to be a more effective way to lose weight than dieting.
2. Fasting improves heart health.
Studies¹ show that fasting decreases triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood pressure.º¹²³
3. Fasting improves brain function.
Fasting has shown to improve brain function, because it increases the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF.) BDNF activates brain stem cells to convert into new neurons. This protein also protects your brain cells from diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.¹
4. Fasting decreases blood levels of insulin.¹
Insulin is a hormone which is released by our pancreas. After we eat, the amount of sugar in our blood rises and our pancreas releases insulin into our bloodstream. Insulin then signals cells to absorb sugar from the bloodstream. People who are over-weight or physically inactive can develop insulin resistance. This means that the cells are no longer responsive to the effects of insulin. As a result, the pancreas needs to make more and more insulin in order to help sugar enter the cells. If the pancreas is not able to keep up with the body’s increased need for insulin, sugar will build up in the bloodstream, leading to diabetes and other very serious health disorders. A high level of insulin in the blood is associated with high blood pressure, blood vessel damage, heart disease, obesity, osteoporosis and even cancer. Studies show that fasting decreases the level of insulin in the blood, while also increasing glucose uptake into cells.²
5. Fasting increases levels of Human Growth Hormone.
This hormone enables fat burning and muscle gain.¹²
6. Fasting induces cellular cleansing.
During the state of fasting, your body destroys and recycles old or damaged parts of your cells.¹
7. Fasting regenerates the immune system.¹²
A recent study showed that a 3-day fast regenerated the entire immune system!
8. Fasting reduces inflammation in the body.¹²³
This can be beneficial for people suffering from diseases such as cancer, asthma, and autoimmune conditions.
9. Fasting may help prevent cancer.¹²
Fasting has been shown to inhibit cancer growth and improve the survival of human cancer patients.
10. Fasting may prevent Alzheimer’s.¹
Fasting can help protect against cognitive decline in diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
11. Fasting may even help you to live longer!¹²
Animal studies have shown that fasting prolongs life span.
Sources:
Effect of intermittent fasting and refeeding on insulin action in healthy men
Effects of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular risk factors: a prospective observational study.
Ramadan fasting: relation to atherogenic risk among obese Muslims.
Effects of intermittent fasting on body composition and clinical health markers in humans.
Short-term fasting induces profound neuronal autophagy
Enhanced thermogenic response to epinephrine after 48-h starvation in humans.
Fasting for three days can regenerate entire immune system, study finds
Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and biochemical parameters during prolonged intermittent fasting.
Effects of short-term dietary restriction on survival of mammary ascites tumor-bearing rats.
Fasting cycles retard growth of tumors and sensitize a range of cancer cell types to chemotherapy.
Influence of short-term repeated fasting on the longevity of female (NZB×NZW)F1 mice
