Individuals engage in fasting for spiritual, emotional and physiological reasons. Fasting can entail drinking only water or drinking fruit and vegetable juices, water and herbal tea. During the fasting process, toxins are released from the colon, bladder, sinuses, skin, kidneys and lungs, according to Dr. Elson Haas. The duration of fasting varies from 12 hours to 30 days. The type of fast, the duration of the fast and the individual's body composition impact the amount of fat and protein synthesized.
Fat Utilization
Fasting begins when stored carbohydrates in the body are used for energy. When there is a lack of glucose consumed, the liver begins converting the stores of glycogen into glucose. Once fatty acids are converted to ketones, fats become the primary source of energy for the body. During a 24-hour fast, the metabolism of fat increases 1,300 percent among women and 2,000 percent among men.
Muscle Utilization
Fasting increases the production of the human growth hormone. The human growth hormone, a protein, protects lean muscle mass while increasing the breakdown of fat cells. However, the brain and central nervous system need glucose and use the breakdown of fatty acids or proteins. The utilization of protein is not pronounced as long as stores of glycogen exist. When glycogen is no longer available, the body begins to cannibalize the available muscle.
Benefits
Fasting helps the body to burn excess fat and prevents the production of cholesterol, which may pose benefits to the cardiovascular system. Fasting decreases triglyceride levels and lipoprotein levels associated with heart disease and diabetes. According to the Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center, individuals who regularly participate in a 24-hour fast present a 45 percent decrease in coronary disease. According to a study a 2005 study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, reducing caloric intake through fasting by 5 percent decreases the development of cancer.
Warnings
Fasting places stress on the body. Ketosis is induced when the pancreas releases insulin. Ketosis may stimulate adverse reactions in the body, particularly if nutrition levels are not optimal prior to fasting. Throbbing headaches and gastrointestinal problems are two of several side effects one may experience when fasting. Fasting is not recommended for individuals with compromised immune systems, such as individuals with HIV or tuberculosis. Consult your physician before starting a fasting regimen.
References
- "Harvard Gazette"; With Fasting, Enzyme Turns off Body's Production of Fats, Cholesterol; Sue McGreevey; June 2010
- "Medill Reports"; Fasting for More than Cleansing: May Cut Chances for Heart Disease, Diabetes; Ja'Nel Johnson; April 2011
- "Universe"; Research Shows Benefits of Fasting; Allison Goett; April 2011
- University of California; Fasting Every Other Day, While Cutting Few Calories, May Reduce Cancer Risk; Sarah Yang; March 2005
- University of Vanderbilt; Fasting: Body Cleansing or Body Starving?; Kelly Grimes
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