Fasting

Fasting has become quite popular lately despite being utilised around the world for centuries. There are lots of promises around the benefits of fasting as well as many different approaches.

Fasting is defined as “the ability to meet energy requirements largely or exclusively from the body's reserves without endangering health." Essentially, you are using your body’s existing energy stores, instead of food, without causing any harm or damage.

Quite the opposite, done well, fasting has been shown to:

• Promote weight loss

• Help to prevent cancer

• Optimise brain function

• Increase energy, especially at the cell (mitochondria) level

• Supports autophagy - a cellular housekeeping to recycle used cellular components and clear debris

• Supports cardiovascular health - lowers blood pressure

Fasting can also be used a means to support digestive repair by giving the digestive system a break from digesting and absorbing food.

There are a few different ways to fast so experimenting is a good idea to find which suits you best. A few to consider:

• Alternate day fasting - where you consume little to no calories every other day.

• 5:2 - consuming 500-600 calories two non-consecutive days of the week and eating healthy the remaining 5 days

• 18:6 or modifications thereof - where you fast for 18 hours of the day, eating all necessary foods in a 6-hour window.

Fasting is not for everyone so it is best to seek professional support if you are diabetic, on medications that need to be taken with food, have thyroid issues, osteopenia/osteoporosis, and/or sarcopenia. 

Also, fasting is not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with adrenal or other endocrine issues, liver or kidney issues or a history of eating disorders. 

There are many benefits to fasting that are worth exploring. Equally so, fasting done poorly can be quite harmful if not dangerous. Therefore, please do your research and get the help you need to ensure that you get all the benefits without the harm.