By Arkabrata Bala
From our standpoint fasting refers to the abstinence from food in the total sense, as commonly in many religious organizations. Fasting in a broad sense may be regarded as negative nutrition compelling the organism to subsist on nourishment that it has stored within itself. But can it heal any health problems? First of all, it is important to contemplate the implications of this mistaken terminology which is in widespread use.
How fasting affects our body?
A study found in Utua found that people who fast on a regular basis lower their risk of contracting a coronary disease. A parallel study conjointly reveals that fasting indulges in metabolic changes and burns down cholesterol, thereby reducing the probability of heart disease by massive 58 percent. That study also showcased a decrease in blood sugar levels among people who fast. Those who fast on fruit juice opine that fasting urges the body to get rid of toxins absorbed from processed and fast foods.
Fasting as a healing aid to cardiovascular disease
Intermittent fasting can be undertaken in several ways but more recently a 5:2 strategy has been developed by researchers from the University of Surrey where they conducted some proportion of 27 overweight participants to carefully limit their intake to 600 calories for 2 days after eating routinely for consecutive 5 days of the week. The rest they asked to follow a more conventional procedure for fasting, not consuming more than 600 calories per day.
However, after about three months the scenario modified to a mere 80% of each participant group, thanks to some excruciating hindrances. Those on the 5:2 diet achieved 5 percent of their weight loss 14 days prior to those on the daily calorie restriction diet. The former could clear fat(triglyceride) after the meal more expeditiously than the later. Despite no distinction in glucose handling post meal, the inequality between diets in c-peptide, a sign of insulin secretion from pancreas raised a matter amongst the researchers that must unfold. The study also followed a two percent decrease in systolic blood pressure on the daily diet as opposed to nine percent decrement on the 5:2 diet, thus fairly heightening the later more indisputably since it depressurizes the arteries, thereby reducing possibilities of heart attacks and strokes. As it seems the results stand divided amongst the folks, the hypothesis is nonetheless to substantiate. Thence further studies are needed, lest some underlying mechanisms stay out of the grip. However, its bound to claim that those who have an appreciable tolerance limit of abstinence will overcome cardiovascular disease more simply than one might ever envision.
Other possible benefits of fasting
Other studies indicate intermittent abstinence might scale back risk for varieties of cancer, particularly carcinoma but more research is needed. There may be evolutionary reasons why depriving ourselves of food for some time makes us feel energetic and centred. It is sensible that brain must function properly when an individual is in a fasted state because its in that state that they have to figure out how to find food. Those whose brains were not functioning well while fasting would not be able to compete and thrive. Periodic fasting may make it easier for us to burn fat and enter ketosis. Blood samples have shown that people who fast from 12 to 24 hours at a time enter a state called ketosis when their bodies start to derive more energy from fat. Certain forms of fasting are equipped with anti-ageing health effects, though it’s not clear whether intermittent fasting does this for humans.
Harmful effects
Every eye pleasing illusion has a façade of dark truths. Analogically, fasting proves to be detrimental to health for weight management. After considerable fasting people tend to crave starchier foods, with higher calorie content. Headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, low blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms are some common short-term effects. Long-term effects embody harm to the immune system, liver and kidneys.
Hence, during this fast ever-changing world folks ought to decide before experiencing with an aware mind instead of a sub-conscious mind.