We all are working towards our health more sincerely post Covid 19 and have started many healthy routines that will stay with us for life long. While physical exercise, mental health, and a balanced diet are the three pillars to lead a healthy lifestyle, short-term fasting or intermittent fasting is considered as the fourth pillar for our well-being.
Fasting is backed with religious values for various reasons and each person has their belief system. This practice of intermittent fasting is a very ancient method and is followed till date.
What is intermittent fasting:
It is a way of controlling our eating habits by maintaining a specific time gap. The most important aspect here is a proper plan requirement to eat and fast at regular intervals of time. In simple words intermittent fasting is all about "when to eat ".
But the benefits of fasting are only reflected when done in a proper methodical way.
Let us also look at the scientific reasons that support fasting for a healthy life.
1. Cleansing of body:
With a routine diet, the body develops a set of toxins that get cleaned during the fasting period. The detox takes place by forcing the cells to activate some of the processes that are otherwise inactive due to constant supply of fuel and energy through the food we eat. Fasting at regular intervals stimulates the inactive processes that results in cleansing of gut and thus helps boost metabolism.
2. Good health by reducing inflammation:
Fasting aids in lowering chronic inflammatory diseases as it inactivates the pro inflammatory cells responsible for heart diseases and diabetes. By the reduced oxidative stress in the cells the overall immune system response of the body is boosted.
3. Lowers insulin:
Low insulin value indicates that the body will use the stored fat of the body to function, which in turn helps in cleansing the body. This also aids to maintain glucose levels though few people are not advised to do so. A proper consultation from the doctor is required for the diabetic person to follow this fasting regime.
4. Aids weight loss:
Restricted eating helps to reduce the extra kilos and helps in balancing the nutrients in the body. Abstaining from specific food decreases the calorie intake that could reduce the body weight. The fats stored in our body are utilized as power houses to provide energy thus burning the extra fat repository of the body.
5. Mild stress enhances cells coping ability:
While fasting a person is under mild stress for the restriction of the food items to be consumed such stress is equivalent to the stress caused due to exercises. This enhances the ability of the cells to cope up for different activities of our body.
There are types of fasting that react in different ways on the body and the body clock also gets accustomed to the fasting schedules. In these fasting routines, we are giving ample time to the body to repair and thus making the body in synchronization with the consumption of the food.
- Time-restricted feeding
- Intermittent calorie restriction
- Periodic fasting with fasting diets
Though there may be numerous ways and methods to follow intermittent fasting but a proper plan and care is required to achieve the best results. Always look out for the signs your body gives and act accordingly.
Each individual can select the kind of fasting according to their schedule and follow the guidelines for a healthy lifestyle. Many regional festivals also support fasting, and such activities keep one determined towards the fasting goals. Reaching the end of fasting time happily makes a person motivated towards the upcoming fasting schedule. So, next time if you come across a person who is fasting, show your support towards them and help them achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Do you fast weekly or monthly once or on certain occasions?
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I don't fast at all but I never overeat. I eat very moderately, in fact.
ReplyDeleteEncouraging words on fasting
ReplyDeleteIts a great post for maintaining healthy life, i loved it
ReplyDeleteDefinitely going to give this a try.
ReplyDeleteIt's really important o fast in planned way!!
ReplyDeleteI agree fully that fasting has a lot of health benefits if done in the right manner with plenty of fluids or fiber and not more than once a week.
ReplyDeleteIts nice that you have written about the scientific reasons behind keeping fasts. There are benefits for sure when followed in a methodical way.
ReplyDeleteI don't fast at all. But, I wonder why many people who fast are getting unhealthier and sick every time.
ReplyDeleteThat is why our dadi and nani were so much stronger, better immunity. I understood the logic after reading your post
ReplyDeleteIntermittent fasting has great benefits. Though I don't fast much but agree to all the pointers.
ReplyDeleteFasting has always been considered a way to "give rest" to the body. Intermittent fasting is all the rage now for weight loss but needs to be done with proper medical consultation.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. Fasting is helpful and its good to do it at least once a week if possible.
ReplyDeleteVery informative post for better understanding the significance of right fasting. keeping fast day every week indeed augments the detox process of the body.
ReplyDeleteArchana Srivastava
archusblog
Fasting is not just for sake of doing it . It has some sciencw behind and yes it cleanses our body. Our culture is totally based on science.
ReplyDeleteI can never fast so I have never tried. Only once in my lifetime I fasted the entire month for 'Shravan'. But I was not aware of so many scientific reasons for fasting so maybe I will try atleast once a month
ReplyDeleteThanks for such an informative post. I should also try to do that.
ReplyDeleteI've become a follower of intermittent fasting and see so many positive changes in myself
ReplyDeleteagree with you, fasting is really helpful for detox body
ReplyDeleteI used to fast when I was younger but I didn't know it had so many benefits. I always learn something new when I visit your blog. Keep share such useful information.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, however, I don’t believe in intermittent fasting, moderation is the key :)
ReplyDeleteI fast on all Saturdays...that is not eat till 12:00 p.m. and avoid non-veg entirely that day...thanks for the post...fasting once in a while is good for the body...
ReplyDeleteI do fasting on occasions and yes, it is great way to put your digestive system on rest. intermittent fasting is trending nowadays and I am thinking to give this a try since long. your post has remind me to do that soon.
ReplyDeleteFasting is there in our culture for ages and has been introduced to give our body rest and help to get rid of all toxins. Intermittent fasting in my opinion is more of a fad and should be done with medical consultation.
ReplyDeleteI don't fast at all because it brings blind beliefs but after reading this post I feel I should reconsider my decision.
ReplyDeleteI agree that fasting has many benefits. I have been doing intermittent fasting for a few months now.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is on fatsing since so long it worksfor him well. i should try it out too
ReplyDeleteOur elders always suggested fasting for even simple illnesses which is now being recognized globally as a wellness tool. Your post reiterates my belief in fasting.
ReplyDeleteFasting in a planned way is good . Iny opinion fasting in between is right but starving by the name of fasting is definitely not good .
ReplyDeleteIn almost all religions and traditions, fasting has been incorporated. But not many prople know about the science behind it and it's contribution to good health. This post has good information about fasting. Good post.
ReplyDeleteFasting is indeed very good to remove toxins from the body. In fact I strongly feel that we should fast weekly to get rid of all the bad things we consume.
ReplyDeleteNever knew fasting would be that useful. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI too belive that fasting is a great way to detox the body and I also like doing it to keep bay the temptations to which I otherwise give in easily.
ReplyDeleteFasting is something that I am new to itbecause it isn't something that is followed in our family. But looking at the health benefits I am definitely considering including some fasting in my every week.
ReplyDeleteI am a strong believer of intermittent fasting. It was good to know about the benefits of fasting from your post.
ReplyDeleteintermittent fasting is good to cleanse the body.
ReplyDeleteI think fasting has a lot of perks just as you have comprehensively listed. It helps to build the body's stamina and helps cleanse the body most importantly. I believe in fasting and eating or drinking healthy.
ReplyDeleteFasting should be for detoxing your body and for inner peace, its so true there are so many benefits of fasting.
ReplyDeleteFasting has been an intergral part of our culture and I believe its for the good. Our histrorical vedas and upnishadas also showcase the significance of fasting.
ReplyDeleteSince I am diabetic, my nutritionist has recommended not to go for intermittent fasting. But it is a very helpful way to detoxify and cleansing.
ReplyDeleteI have never fasted. Not that I didn't try. I need my salt fix or I collapse. But I never overeat.My diet is very healthy and moderate.Just today I heard Mandira Bedi saying that she is on intermittent fasting and how it has helped her. I really wonder how women fast every week or any occasion. More power to all of them
ReplyDeleteI have started fasting for 15-16 hours since the last two weeks, and I have certainly seen a difference in my body in just that short amount of time! Great post but I can't seem to find your share button.
ReplyDeleteNoor