Good news for those
that love fasting. There is now scientific proof that starving yourself
each day, or a few days of the week is a good thing.
Evidence already abounds that timed periods of
fasting are beneficial and can boost immunity and control intestinal
inflammation. Fasting for health reasons for upwards of six to 24 hours at a
time has become increasingly popular especially in the fitness world. But
it’s not a new trend—fasting has been around for centuries, even Hippocrates
used fasting as a means of promoting weight loss. Fasting alters body
mechanisms for the better, says Dr. Courtney Peterson, an Assistant Professor
at Pennington Biomedical Research Centre. “Fasting lowers levels of inflammation
and puts the body into repair mode. Production of antioxidant enzymes
increases, and that helps repair and recycle cells.” Traditional medicine
Researchers from Emory University Atlanta, USA, say that “Caloric Restriction”
in the form of fasting has been used in traditional medicinal practices such as
homoeopathy, naturopathy, ayurveda for treating various ailments. The research
team found a mechanism of body’s ability to adapt to nutrient scarcity. They
noted that limiting nutrients could be a great booster of vaccine-induced
immunity and protective of intestinal inflammation. They identified a gene,
whose activation in key immune cells was found to be a sign of a robust,
protective immune response. The gene, GCN2, General Controlled
Non-repressedkinase, which is a known metabolic sensor involved in sensing
amino acid starvation and found to regulate the process of autophagy, a
response to starvation or stress within cells. The results were published in
the journal ‘Science’ earlier. Fasting has become increasingly popular over the
years, and many people are becoming more aware that eating less does have
incredible benefits when used sensibly. Longevity For instance, it is fact
that the less you eat the longer you will live. Studies show how the
lifespan of people in certain cultures increased due to their diets. A primary
effect of ageing is a slower metabolism, a younger body metabolises
faster and more efficiently, so the less less older persons eat, the less
toll on their digestive system. Weight loss: Intermittent fasting can be
a safe way to lose weight because it allows the body to burn through fat cells
more effectively than just regular dieting. Intermittent fasting allows the
body to use fat as it’s primary source of energy instead of sugar. Many
athletes now use fasting as means to hitting low body fat percentages for
competitions. Insulin sensitivity: Fasting has shown to have a positive effect
on insulin sensitivity, allowing tolerance of carbohydrates (sugar) better than
if you didn’t fast. Speeds up metabolism Intermittent fasting gives
the digestive system a rest, and energises the metabolism to burn
through calories more efficiently. It regulates digestion and promotes healthy
bowel function, thus improving metabolic function. Improves hunger
Fasting helps to regulate hormones in the body so that you experience what true
hunger is. Nutritionists say obese individuals do not receive the correct
signals to know they are full. The longer you fast, the more your body can
regulate itself to release the correct hormones, so that you can experience
what real hunger is. And when your hormones are working correctly, you get full
quicker. Detoxification Fasting can help clear the skin because the body is
temporarily freed from digestion and able to focus its regenerative energies on
other systems. Not eating for just one day helps the body clean up toxins and
regulate the functioning of the liver, kidneys and other parts.
Reference:
vanguardngr
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