Health Benefits of Fasting

From personal experience I found fasting to be very beneficial because it helped me to realize the roll that food plays in my life beyond the basic need of satisfying hunger. Although that is a strong argument for fasting again, I was curious about the physical effects of fasting. So, I have attempted to answer some questions I had by doing some quick and dirty online searches. I have summarized my findings below with the supporting links. 

Comments and/or additions to this information are more than welcome.

Should fasting be applied as a method for weight loss?

For short-term weight loss, fasting works because without any calories coming into the body, it will start to burn stored fat deposits for energy. This will lead to short-term weight loss, however for people who fast sporadically, they will gain the weight back once the fasting period is over and they return to their normal diet. Thus when applied sporadically, fasting cannot be used as a long-term weight-loss solution.

However, regular intermittent fasting seems to have health benefits that could contribute to weight loss (if that is something that your body would benefit from) and overall health improvement.

What are the health benefits, if any?

In addition to the mental/spiritual benefits, fasting appears to offer many physical benefits. Abstaining from food or reducing calorie-intake makes the body more sensitive to insulin and helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Some animal studies also suggest that fasting can reduce the risk of cancer by slowing down the growth of abnormal cells as well as slowing cognitive decline in diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease (more in the Los Angeles Times). Additionally, one study cited in an article in the New York Times suggests that those who fast regularly have healthier hearts and a lower chance of cardiovascular disease due to metabolic changes caused by fasting (read more).

Among other schools of thought, Ayurveda recommends fasting as a way to detoxify the body. You may also have heard of some of the many cleanses that are popular today like the master cleanse, which I did on a yoga retreat, that follow a similar principle. The fasting frees the body from normal digestion to flush out toxins from food that wasn't properly digested as well as any chemicals and additives that we ingest as a part of our normal every day diet. When we fast and use up stored fat deposits, the toxins contained in these deposits are then released and eliminated or neutralize by organs such as the liver, kidneys and colon.

Can fasting be harmful?

So it seems that fasting can offer health benefits. Of course, it is always recommended that you consult your doctor first to make sure it is the right method for you. Prolonged fasting can have some strong adverse effects especially for those with compromised health. Low sugar levels can also lead to dizziness and nausea.

Also, when you have decided that fasting is right for you, you should do some initial research about what fast would be suitable for you and your lifestyle. Remember that the intermittent fasting, that was referred to earlier, means periodically eating 25-30% fewer calories than is recommended for that particular size, gender and age. Fasting does not necessarily mean totally abstaining from food. Lastly, don't cut out water / liquids. This is necessary for staying hydrated and flushing out the toxins.

Click here for a general overview of fasting.

I hope this was helpful. Of course this was just some preliminary fact finding. I would encourage you to take it further.

Anyway, in conclusion I have decided to fast this week for 2 days on a liquid fast from my Ayurveda cook book. I will be sharing the experience.