Fasting is a common practice for losing weight, detoxifying or cleansing the body and is also a spiritual practice in many religions. The Mayo Clinic notes that although the benefits of detoxification diets involving fasting are not scientifically proven, they are a long-standing practice and can be done in a safe and healthy manner by most individuals.
What is Fasting?
Fasting involves decreasing or abstaining from nutritional intake for a certain period. Some might limit food intake to water or juices, but others eliminate all ingestion of food and water usually for a period of nine to 16 consecutive hours.
Physiological Effects
Dr. Robert Sniadach, D.C., founder of the Vida Clara School of Natural Hygiene, notes that at the cellular level, fasting begins within the first 10 to 24 hours. This is when glucose and fat storage in the liver and other areas of the body begin to be used for energy. This reduces cholesterol in the blood that can build up in the arteries, causing plaque. Cholesterol plaque in the arteries occurs in a disease called atherosclerosis, in which the arteries becomes hardened and narrowed, reducing blood flow.
The metabolism of stored glucose and fats typically occurs if the fasting is done by completely abstaining from food or done only with water. A juice fast might not have these physiological effects because glucose for energy is still being ingested.
Artery Health
The body normally uses carbohydrates in the form of glucose that is in the blood or stored in the liver as glycogen for energy. Hence, the carbohydrates must first be used up and not be available through food for the body to burn stored fats for energy. Laboratory MedNews says that stored and unused fats, or lipids, can also form plaque that sticks to the inner lining of your arterial walls. This can lead to atherosclerosis, which can cause heart disease, high blood pressure and strokes.
Other Benefits
Sniadach mentions several other benefits of fasting. He describes it as a natural healing and purification that occurs when an injured or ill animal decreases its food intake. This allows the body to speed up healing and renew itself. Fasting is also a popular method of detoxification. It is thought to facilitate the natural cleansing of the organs that remove toxins from the body such as those in the kidney, liver, intestines and skin.
Warnings
As with other detoxifications diets, fasting can lead to side effects if not practiced in a safe manner. The Mayo Clinic advises consulting a doctor before beginning any type of fasts. Risks of fasting include dehydration, fatigue, nausea, low blood sugar and dizziness. In most cases, healthy individuals with no chronic, underlying medical disorder can fast safely.
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