Health Benefits of Fasting

1
Health Benefits of Fasting

• P.Naina Mohamed
• Pharmacologist

2
Introduction

• Abstinence from food and liquid for a defined
  period, is termed as Fasting.
• Research suggests there are major health benefits
  to fasting or caloric restriction such as
• Reduced risks of
• Diabetes,
• Insulin resistance
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Cancer
• Slowing of the aging process
• Increase maximum life span
• Detoxification
• Rest to digestive system
• Resolves inflammatory response
• Helps to overcome Addictions

3
Reduction of Blood Sugar

• Fasting
• Decrease in food intake
• Reduction of insulin secretion
• Increase in insulin sensitivity
• Reduction of blood sugar level
• Reduce the risk of Diabetes

4
Weight loss

• The first response of the body to fasting is
  break down of glycogen. When the stores of
  glucogen are exhausted, break down of fats to
  release energy begins. The fats stored in kidney
  and muscles are broken down to release energy.
• Fasting
• Breakdown of fats
• Release of ketone bodies
• Reduction of fat stores
• Weight loss
• Reduce the risk of Cardiovascular disease

5
Correction of high blood Pressure

• Fasting
• Reduce the risk of atherosclerosis
• Reduce Metabolic rate
• Reduce adrenaline and noradrenaline
• Steady metabolic processes
• Reduction in blood pressure

6
Neuroprotection

• Fasting
• Breakdown of fats
• Increased production of ketone bodies
  (ß-hydroxybutyrate)
• Protective effects including neuroprotection
• May be helpful in seizures, Alzheimer's and
  Parkinson's diseases

7
Cancer

• Fasting
• Reduction in glucose and insulin-like growth
  factor 1 (IGF-I) levels
• Reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in cells
• Prevent and repair DNA damage
• Reduce the risk of cancer
•  

8
Cancer

• Fasting
• Suppress growth and reproduction
• Divert the energy towards cellular maintenance
  and repair
• Maximize the chance of survival
• Reduce the risk of Cancer

9
Increase life span

• Fasting slows the little clocks that tick inside
  our mitochondria
• Slows aging
• keeping our organs youthful
• Increase life span

10
Detoxification

• Processed foods contain lots of additives. These
  additives may become toxins in the body. Some of
  them promote production of advanced glycation end
  products (AGEs). Most of these toxins are stored
  in fats.
• Fasting
• Burns fat
• Release of toxins stored in fats
• Removal of toxins by Liver and Kidney
• Detoxification

11
Rest to Digestive System

• Fasting
• Rest to digestive organs
• Production of digestive secretions at reduced
  rates
• Helps to maintain balance of fluids in the body
• Breakdown of food at steady rates

12
Resolves Inflammatory Response

• Some studies, show that fasting promotes
  resolution of inflammatory diseases and
  allergies.
• Fasting
• Resolves inflammatory response
• May help to resolve rheumatoid arthritis,
  arthritis, psoriasis and ulcerative colitis

13
Promotes Healthy diet

• Fasting
• Reduces craving for processed foods
• Promotes desire for natural foods, especially
  water and fruits
• Healthy lifestyle

14
Help to Overcome Addictions

• Fasting
• Reduce cravings, for nicotine, alcohol, caffeine
  and other substance abuse
• Resolve addictions

15
Demerits

• Fasting
• Dehydration
• Headaches (even trigger migraines in predisposed
  persons)
• It may worsen heartburn and peptic ulcer.
• Pregnant women, nursing mothers, malnourished
  people, and individuals with cardiac arrhythmias,
  renal or liver problems are advised not to fast.

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References

• Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, 29eRobert K.
  Murray, David A. Bender, Kathleen M. Botham,
  Peter J. Kennelly, Victor W. Rodwell, P. Anthony
  Weil
• Endocrine Physiology, 4ePatricia E. Molina
• Gastrointestinal PhysiologyKim E. Barrett
• Principles and Practice of Hospital Medicine
  Sylvia C. McKean, John J. Ross, Daniel D.
  Dressler, Daniel J. Brotman, Jeffrey S. Ginsberg

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References

• http//jap.physiology.org/content/99/6/2128.full
• http//stm.sciencemag.org/content/4/124/124ra27.fu
  ll.html
• http//link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10943-01
  3-9687-0
• http//impactaging.com/papers/v1/n12/full/100114.h
  tml
• http//www.nature.com/onc/journal/v30/n30/full/onc
  201191a.html
• http//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC156352
  /