According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, fasting means abstaining from food or not eating certain foods. You can fast for religious reasons, such as part of Ramadan, Yom Kippur or Holy Week, or for health reasons. Additionally, you may go on a hunger strike to protest actions you don't agree with or because you think it will purify your system. Fasting is usually temporary, so even if you do lose a few pounds during your fast, you will probably regain them again once you return to your normal eating habits.
Types
According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica, fasting can involve eating very little or eating nothing at all and it can last for a day or for a very long time. During some fasts, you may be required to consume specific types of liquids, such as water with lemon or green tea with honey. If you choose to fast, it is critical that you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Effects
Supporters of fasts say that staying away from food can help your body remove toxins and focus its energy on healing itself. When done for religious reasons, a fast is supposed to enhance your self-discipline, help you empathize with those who go hungry regularly and prepare you to draw closer to the divine. According to the American Cancer Society, fasting proponents even suggest that it can cure cancer. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.
Weight Loss
Your body is able to draw energy from two sources: food and itself. When you are eating normally, your body breaks down food and uses it to keep you thinking, walking and talking. When you stop eating, your body has to use itself for energy. Unfortunately, you can't tell your body to only break down your fat cells and use those for power; during starvation, which is the same as fasting, it will also break down lean tissue, like muscle and bone, to meet its needs. After a prolonged fast, you might have dropped a few pounds, but part of that weight loss will be at the cost of bone density and muscle tissue.
Risks
The American College of Sports Medicine warns that eating less than 1,200 calories per day can lead to health and metabolism problems. According to the American Cancer Society, fasting can lead to headaches, dizziness, fatigue and heart arrhythmias. Over a long period of time, fasting can have a negative impact on the liver, kidneys and other organs.
Recommendations
Organizations like the American Heart Association and the Mayo Clinic usually advise a slow rate of weight loss because this indicates a lasting change that you will be able to maintain over a long period of time. Any weight loss greater than 1 to 2 pounds a week is not likely to stay off. Exercising at the same time you gently cut back your calorie intake helps counteract the loss of lean tissue.
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