Fasting is a practice that dates back centuries and plays a central role in many cultures and religions. It is not only a means to reach certain spiritual states of consciousness, it also helps the body purge illnesses and toxins. Animals instinctively fast when they are injured or ill.
Scientific research has shown that after three days of fasting, all our major organ systems start to self- clean. The reason fasting works is that our bodies expend a lot of energy every day trying to digest food and absorb nutrients. When we fast, we are giving our digestion a break, allowing our body’s natural intelligence to redirect the freed-up energy to repair damage done to tissues in the body and dump toxins that have been stored in the cells.
Fasting is a great way to flush out toxins accumulated in the body, engaging the innate wisdom to self-regulate and heal. Defined as abstinence from all or some foods or drinks for a set period, there are many ways to fast. Some people fast one day out of every seven. Others will fast from eating for 3-5 days while still others will fast for a week or more, depending on the desired goal or health condition. There is also intermittent fasting that involves cycles of eating and fasting on a daily basis.
There are 8 major benefits of fasting based on scientific research:
- Fasting promotes blood sugar control by reducing insulin resistance.
- Fasting promoted better health by fighting chronic inflammation.
- Fasting may enhance heart health by improving blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels.
- Fasting may boost brain function and prevent neuro-degenerative disorders.
- Fasting aids weight loss by limiting calorie intake and boosting metabolism.
- Fasting increases growth hormone secretion, which is vital for growth, metabolism, weight loss, and muscle strength.
- Fasting has the potential to expand the life span.
- Fasting may aid in cancer prevention and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
Here are a few of the most common types of fasting:
- Water fasting: Involves drinking only water for a set amount of time.
- Juice fasting: This entails only drinking vegetable or fruit juice for a certain period.
- Intermittent fasting: Intake is partially or completely restricted for a few hours up to a few days at a time, and a regular diet is resumed on other days.
- Partial fasting: Certain foods or drinks such as processed foods, animal products, or caffeine are eliminated from the diet for a set period.
- Calorie restriction: Calories are restricted for a few days every week.
When coupled with a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle, incorporating fasting into your routine could benefit your health. If you have an underlying health condition, it is important to consult your health care practitioner or someone who is well versed in fasting before starting any type of a fast for more than 24 hours.
There are many different types of fasts, making it easy to find a method that fits your lifestyle. If you are considering a fast,for the first time, reach to me for support. It can be a daunting task if you have never done it before. You also want to choose the right type of fast for you and your body. To learn more about fasting and how to go about it, you can reach me through the link below:
