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The ultimate detox for the body benefits your mind as well.
After the holidays, with the alcohol and sugary treats, your body needs a detox. Most types of fasts are performed for over 24 hours to three days. However, learning and embracing intermittent fasting involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting, ranging from a few hours to a few days at a time.
Most celebrities use fasting as a way to lose weight, but that’s just one of the reasons to give it a try. Here are some of the science-based facts about intermittent fasting and your body that may make you rethink this ancient method of cleaning out toxins.
Reducing Insulin Resistance
Several studies have found that fasting may improve blood sugar control, which could be especially useful for those at risk of diabetes.
Fighting Inflammation
Acute inflammation is a healthy immune process used to help fight off infections; chronic inflammation can have severe consequences for your well-being. Research shows that inflammation may be involved in the development of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Improving Heart Health
Changing your diet and lifestyle is one of the most efficient ways to reduce your risk of heart disease. Some research has found that incorporating fasting into your routine may be particularly helpful when it comes to heart health. Fasting is also associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease and may help regulate blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels.
Boosting Brain Function
Because fasting may also help relieve inflammation, it could also help in preventing neurodegenerative disorders. The tests on humans aren’t available yet, but animal studies show that fasting could improve brain function and even postpone or fight Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s.
Extend Longevity
Current research is still limited to animal studies. Nonetheless, animal studies have found that fasting could delay aging and increase longevity, but human research is still lacking. According to Mayo Clinic, “Regular fasting and better heart health may also be linked to the way your body metabolizes cholesterol and sugar.” All this means is that fasting preserves your organs, which is why it’s linked to longevity.
The most common types of fasting:
-Calorie restriction: Calories are restrained for a few days every week.
-Partial fasting: Some foods or drinks such as processed meals, animal products, or caffeine are not allowed for a set period.
-Intermittent fasting: Intake is wholly or partially restricted for a few hours up to a few days at a time, and a regular diet continues on other days.
-Juice fasting: Requires only drinking vegetable or fruit juice for a specified period.
-Water fasting: Involves drinking only water for a set amount of time.
There are many different ways to practice fasting, which makes it easy to find a plan that fits into any lifestyle. Experiment with different types to find what works best for you. However, if you have diabetes or low blood sugar, fasting can lead to spikes and crashes in your blood sugar levels, which could be dangerous.
You should talk to your doctor if you’re are planning to fast for more than 24 hours. Children and the elderly shouldn’t participate in fasting unless doctors say otherwise.
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