At the conclusion of Lent, this edition of HH101 recognizes the benefits of fasting
By Nakeasha Johnson
Fasting can be a useful tool in maintaining good health. Like any machine that runs constantly, occasional breaks or periods of rest are helpful. It is the same with the human body. Using intermittent fasting can give you digestive system a much needed break. In a society where fat and calorie dense meals are common place, Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, CNS states that “the excess calories Americans eat shorten their lives.” Dr. Fernstrom also asserts that “you see a buildup of waste products in the cells- AGE (advanced glycation end products) that build up in cellular tissues and lead to atherosclerosis, aging, diabetes, nerve damage, and the deterioration of organs. Along with improving your overall diet, fasting is one solution to that buildup of AGE because fasting allows the body to most effectively remove these waste products.”
Fasting has also proven to be harder on cancer cells than normal cells according to Men’s Journal. When fasting, that state is hostile to cancer cells in part because their fuel (glucose) disappears from the bloodstream. This is also the case with precancerous cells as well according to Valter Longo who is the director of the University of Southern California Longevity Institute. “The process of developing cancer could take years, but if that person fasted, those cells could be killed before they had a chance to spread,” says Longo.
The practice of fasting can also help to exercise your brain. According to the National Institute of Aging, the brain goes under energy restriction during a fast. During this time we can see neural activity that’s associated with protection against degeneration from stroke and aging. Fasting increases a protein called BDNF that is crucial for learning and the protection against age-related mental decline. The NIA also indicates that there is evidence that ketone bodies converted from fat and used as fuel during fasting may protect against neurodegenerative diseases like epilepsy, moderate autism, and Alzheimer’s disease.
There is significant evidence that fasting is both safe in moderation and beneficial. Intermittent fasting can be achieved by fasting up to 2 days per week. If you choose to fast make sure that you take precautions to ensure that you are doing it safely:
1. Check with your doctor to ensure that it is safe to fast.
2. Make sure that you eat a health balanced diet on the days that you are not fasting.
3. Choose a vitamin regimen that will help your body get the vitamins and minerals that it needs.
While fasting always remember to put your health and safety above everything. If at any time during a fast you begin to feel ill please reach out to your health care professional. You can follow me on Twitter @NakeashaJ
-Nakeasha Johnson(@nakeashaJ)
