Several cultures and religions around the world fast for many different reasons and durations. They will restrict their diet in unique ways.
For instance, fasting may occur for a few hours or weeks.
The fast may include fruits and vegetables, or it may require no food or drinks.
Some people choose to fast for more personal reasons.
They may use it as a means to cleanse, renew, and spur the body into wellness.
In some cases, health professionals may require it before specific medical procedures.
Fasting offers a host of health benefits.
They include weight loss, improved blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and brain function.
However, a new study is showing that fasting for a few days may help renew the immune system.
New Fasting Study
Researchers from the University of Southern California recently conducted a study.
Participants endured between two and four days of fasting for six months.
The study found that fasting can activate the body’s stem cells, so it rebuilds the immune system.
The research shows that when a person fasts, the body’s stem cells produce new white blood cells, which ward off infections.
These new immune cells replace the ones that were old, damaged, or inefficient.
The findings are especially beneficial to older adults and those with compromised immune systems since it resets the immune system as a whole.
Researchers are continuously attempting to understand the function of the immune system.
They are exploring diet, exercise, and stress, among many other factors.
Meanwhile, they encourage a healthy lifestyle that can boost the immune systems functions, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, minimizing stress, and getting adequate amounts of sleep.
5 Reasons People Fast
People choose to fast for many reasons. In some cases, fasting helps medical professionals get a clear view of your body’s condition, but on other occasions, it can support an individual’s personal choice.
Religious or Spiritual Purposes
Ancient and present religions practice fasting as part of a tradition, holiday, or a specific day of observance.
These religions and philosophies include Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, Jainism, and Hinduism.
Some people will use it as a spiritual cleanse to rid the body of negativity or “emotional waste.”
Cultures will fast in association with wars, epidemics, or plagues.
They may also use fasting as a method of self-discipline or a rite of passage.
Weight loss
Fasting is an effective way to lose weight.
As a result, people may resort to different types of fasting so it can effectively work with their lifestyles.
For instance, they may use time-restricted feeding, alternate-day fasting, five straight days of unrestricted eating and two days of restricted caloric intake, and periodic fasting, according to the National Institute of Health.
Studies have found that fasting, such as meal timing strategies, can help curb appetites.
Clear the Mind
Studies show can help rid the brain of waste and clear toxins.
They suggest that intermittent energy restriction can stimulate a protein that improves memory and learning, promote recovery after a brain injury, reduce risks of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson, and influence the prevention and therapy for mood disorders like depression.
Cleanse The Body
Fasting supports the body’s efforts to eliminate the body of toxins that have built up over time.
The toxins may appear in the environment, preservatives, or pesticides.
The detoxification can help give overworked organs a rest, such as the digestive system.
It encourages the liver, intestines, kidneys, and skin to drive out toxins from the body, and improves the circulation of the blood.
Medical Procedure
Health professionals typically require fasting before surgery or a blood test.
For instance, medical professionals use fasting as a safety measure before surgery.
It prevents nausea as well as vomiting or regurgitation since anesthesia stops certain reflexes in the body.
Fasting can help provide more accurate blood test results since nutrients and particles from foods and beverages can affect the bloodstream.
For example, they can influence blood sugar and triglyceride levels.
The Benefits of Fasting
Besides health benefits, such as supporting brain function and metabolism, controlled fasting can provide several additional perks.
● Improves insulin sensitivity – Fasting can help improve insulin’s ability to take up glucose from the blood; therefore, reducing blood sugar levels.
● Energizes your metabolism – Since the digestive system is at rest during fasting, this improves the metabolic function and helps regulate digestion and bowel function.
● Clears the skin – Fasting helps with detoxification, which rids the body of toxins, and this can help clear up the skin.
● Reduces inflammation – Fasting can decrease the level of inflammation. While inflammation helps ward off infections, chronic inflammation can lead to severe conditions like heart disease and cancer.
● Reduces blood pressure – Studies show that fasting can effectively decrease blood pressure, especially systolic blood pressure.
● Increase longevity and delay aging – Studies show that fasting can help delay age-related damage to organs and metabolic disorders in mice.
Conclusion
Fasting should be safe since it can cause fatigue, dizziness, constipation, and dehydration.
Consider short fasting periods, staying hydrated, and avoiding alcohol consumption and sugary products.
People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic, or have a history of an eating disorder are among those individuals who should not fast.
Scientists are still exploring the benefits of fasting.
However, if you do try fasting, make sure to talk with a healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of fasting.
Discuss a diet plan that will ensure that you are maintaining and receiving a safe level of nutrition, so you don’t encounter health problems.
Also, talk about the best ways to effectively incorporate this significant change to your eating pattern with your lifestyle.
Resources:
https://culturalawareness.com/fasting-around-the-world/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322065.php#can-fasting-promote-weight-loss
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/calorie-restriction-and-fasting-diets-what-do-we-know
https://www.gaia.com/article/how-fasting-can-increase-your-awareness
https://www.webmd.com/diet/fasting
https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/fasting-for-a-blood-test/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/longer-daily-fasting-times-improve-health-and-longevity-mice
