Many people usually fast to lose weight or as a way to start some kind of diet. If this practice is done in a measured way and under medical...
According to a study conducted by Harvard University, and published in Cell Metabolism, fasting could promote healthy aging, increase life expectancy and promote good health.
Fasting basically consists of going without solid food for a few hours, even for an entire day. The appeal of this practice is that it involves rapid weight loss, although many think that as fast as weight is lost, it can be gained. However, beyond the benefits for the figure, experts agree that this practice is also good for accelerating and improving metabolism in general.
“ Low energy conditions, such as dietary restriction and intermittent fasting, have previously been shown to promote healthy aging. Understanding why this is the case is a crucial step in being able to reap the benefits therapeutically," said Heather Weir, lead author of the study.
Fasting and its relationship with cancer
A recent investigation found that fasting for 72 hours could regenerate the entire immune system and reduce the risk of cancer. It mentions that reduced caloric intake, such as calorie restriction or fasting, demonstrates a wide range of beneficial effects that can help prevent malignant diseases and increase the effectiveness of cancer therapies.
Experts believe that fasting's ability to positively interfere with cancer treatments is fundamentally related to:
A decrease in blood glucose production
Activated stem cells to regenerate the immune system.
A balanced nutritional intake
Increased production of cells that kill tumors
Therefore, it follows that intermittent fasting could be beneficial not only to prevent the risk of cancer but also to positively influence treatments against the disease.
How long is it healthy to fast?
Prolonged fasting can be dangerous if not done carefully. Many people in the desire to lose weight quickly can expose themselves to dangerous diets or fasts that are too long, which will only cause the body to not receive the necessary nutrients for vital functions.
Meanwhile, intermittent fasting consists of stopping eating at a certain time, alternating with eating times. For example, you can eat normally for most of the week, but two days a week you only eat for an 8-hour window and fast for the remaining 16 hours.
Occasional or intermittent fasting is detoxification for the body that brings multiple benefits. The most surprising and novel is that it promotes healthy aging. Some people also choose to go on longer fasts, but this must be carefully controlled.
Different types of fast according to their duration
24-hour fast: It is about not eating anything for an entire day, and can be done one or two days a week at most, to reap the benefits.
16 hour fast: Many people use this strategy to lose weight, and it involves not eating for 16 hours every day. A person may skip breakfast, for example, or not eat from 8pm until lunch the next day.
Calorie restriction: This involves cutting calories for two days a week. On those two days, women eat 500 calories and men 600.
Benefits of intermittent fasting
sustainable weight loss
diabetes protection
Protection against heart disease
Cancer risk reduction
Improvement in cancer treatments
Improves brain health
Improves fitness and strength
Contraindications and risks of fasting
According to WebMD, fasting can be very dangerous if you're not eating a healthy diet, have liver or kidney problems, have a dysfunctional immune system, or are taking medications.
Poor nutrition can cause your entire nervous system to be affected when fasting. The brain basically feeds on glucose, and when it does not have food, it cannot function properly.
People under medical treatment or with cardiovascular problems, diabetes, or hypertension, should consult their doctor before doing intermittent fasting.
Don't forget to eat healthily and lead a healthy and balanced life if you are looking to start doing occasional fasts. In this way, you will bring multiple benefits to your body, without putting it in danger.
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