Fasting is a type of diet that limits, or completely cuts out, the food and beverages you consume. Depending on the type of fast you're completing, you may be allowed to drink as much liquid as you want. Some fasting diets allow for some solid food while others completely cut out everything, except water. Fasting has various benefits, including weight loss, detoxification and colon cleansing, but you should always speak to your doctor before changing your diet abruptly.
Benefits
Because your caloric intake is very low, or in some cases non-existent -- during a fast, you will likely lose weight quickly at first. From a weight-loss standpoint, this makes fasting seem like an easy and ideal way to control your weight. In addition to rapid weight loss, fasting may help detoxify the body of pollutants, chemicals, free radicals and other built-up substances. In some cases, people have even cited an increase in mental focus as a result of fasting.
Disadvantages
Fasting for quick weight loss has a number of disadvantages, especially if your ultimate goal is weight loss. When you fast, your body slows its metabolism and actually begins storing fat. While you may experience fast weight loss during and immediately following your fast, you will likely put the weight back on once a normal diet is resumed. Other disadvantages include low energy during the fast, making exercise difficult, and a weakened immune system due to lack of nutrients.
Diet Examples
A fast can be completed a multitude of ways and previously-existing diet plans can be tailored to suit your needs. Some diets consist of drinking only fruit juices throughout the fast while others require the faster to drink a concoction of certain ingredients.
Warnings
Fasting for weight loss is not an ideal option for everyone. Before beginning a fast, ask your doctor if the plan is right for you. In some cases, your doctor may even work with you to tailor an appropriate fasting plan that ensures you get the vitamins and nutrients you need. Abruptly changing your diet or preventing your body from getting appropriate nutrients from various food groups can lead to various health-related issues, including nausea, fatigue, vertigo, organ damage and death.
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