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Submitted by Aparna on 15 May 2015

There is a pic going around that fasting helps 

- beat addictions

- gives digestive system a rest

- is a great way to start a healthy diet

- Normalises insulin sensitivity

- Reduces hunger levels

- promotes detoxification process

- whiten eyes and clears complexion

- reduce high BP

- can boost immune system

Is this true? 

 

PatientsEngage

Fri, 05/15/2015 - 09:07

Research on fasts classifies the fasts in 3 categories - calorie restriction (CR), Diet restriction (DR) and intermittent fasting (IF). For the last 2 decades research has been done on religious fasts like Ramadan, Lent. DR fast usually entail exclusion of certain foods like meat, eggs, dairy products. The effects on blood pressure were not significant or consistent. The effect of Ramadan fast was also not conclusive because the time of year varies - so the length of days are different.

PatientsEngage

Fri, 05/15/2015 - 09:12

The 21 day Daniel Fast is much more stringent - refined foods, white flour, preservatives, additives, sweeteners, flavorings, caffeine, and alcohol are forbidden and compliance is higher. Total cholesterol, LDL-C, SBP, and DBP. Insulin, HOMA-IR, and C-reactive protein were all lowered to a clinically meaningful extent, but this decrease failed to reach statistical significance. Larger scale, randomized studies are needed to extend these preliminary findings.

For the last few weeks, I have been eating a very low calorie diet twice a week - mostly fruit, low-fat yoghurt and vegetables. I started doing this to jumpstart weight loss. I have also been exercising every day. The first couple of days, I felt very hungry but lately that has disappeared and I have no trouble getting though the day. I feel a lot better, less bloated and breathless. I will do this for a couple of months and then check triglyceride and cholesterol level, which had been bit high.

Poshan - Cure …

Fri, 05/22/2015 - 11:29

Yes, fasting can help to provide the above listed health benefits if done in the right way. Fasting once in a week or a month can be recommended occasionally, if only one consumes a well balanced diet on the rest of the days. However, in the urge to lose weight, many people tend to follow very low calorie diets on a regular basis, creating a myriad of deficiencies and their associated health complications. it is not for diabetics as it can cause low blood sugars and uncontrolled diabetes.