Fasting is broadly described as the willing abstinence from food or drink for a period of time. This article deals with absolute fasting, or water fasting, which involves eating nothing and drinking only pure water for an extended period of time – from days to weeks.
Though precaution should be taken before water-fasting for longer periods, particularly for pregnant mothers, type I diabetics and those who are already severely malnourished, fasting is believed by many holistic and nutritional experts to be the single best thing people can do to cleanse and heal the body and mind. In fact, it is believed that the greatest leaders from antiquity including Jesus, Prophet Mohammed and Buddha all fasted for 40 days, so with that in mind, let’s take a look at the top 7 benefits of absolute fasting.
A study carried out by scientists at the University of Southern California suggests that water-fasting “flips a regenerative switch” which prompts stem cells to create brand new white blood cells, essentially regenerating the entire immune system.
The science behind fasting is predicated on the belief that the body knows better than any drug or doctor how to heal itself – if given the chance. Most people don’t know that the body uses around half of its total energy to digest, assimilate and eliminate food which means that the body’s organs are working almost constantly, especially in people who eat a lot of processed foods. By water fasting for three days or more, the body starts to cleanse and has more energy to direct towards the cleansing and regeneration process.
The body uses different sources of fuel during a fast. The first 8-12 hours is typically from undigested food in the digestive tract. The next store of energy is gained from the liver breaking down sugars in a process known as glycolysis. After this period, the body gets most of its energy from a process called ketosis where the body starts to break down fat in the body and studies have shown that ketones in the blood are good for the brain.
Fasting increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a protein that interacts with neurons in parts of the brain that regulate memory, learning, and higher cognitive function. Other studies have suggested that fasting can also help prevent age related cognitive decline and diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and ischemic strokes.
It’s obvious that if you go days or weeks without eating and drinking only water, you will lose weight. However there is a little more to the weight-loss than simply zero calories. Part of the reason the body deposits fat under the skin and around organs is to store toxins and keep them away from the vital organs where they can do damage. During the fasting process, many of the toxins in the body are broken down and eliminated.
After the fasting process, the body requires less calories to meet its energy needs as it functions more efficiently, most people report that after fasting they have less desire for processed, fatty and sugar rich foods, which helps the person keep the weight off going forward.
The typical lifestyle of most people in the western and developing world is one of high stress and a lot of processed foods. This leads to a state of becoming desensitised and misaligned with signals from the body; signals that often tell that something is wrong and needs attention. Failure to feel and heed these signals then leads to the chronic conditions that are so common such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and autoimmune disorders.
During the fasting process as the body detoxes and becomes cleaner and more efficient, most people experience sometimes moderately unpleasant sensations from certain parts of the body which indicate that there is or has been a problem there. This is perfectly normal and can be interpreted as the body healing that unhealthy area.
Fasting quiets the mind, creating the emotional and mental environment for a deeper spiritual connection. Emotional scars are stored in the energetic system of the body and the cleansing process of fasting creates new space for emotional healing and for positive emotions to come in.
Many people who undergo a lengthy water fast report going through a lot of emotions, often ones that have been repressed for a long time. This emotional journey often leads to path of greater self-discover and enlightenment about what is important and then to a greater level of self-acceptance and empathy with others and the planet.
Water fasting is truly one of the best things you can do to cleanse your body and improve your physical, mental and spiritual health.
Though precaution should be taken before water-fasting for longer periods, particularly for pregnant mothers, type I diabetics and those who are already severely malnourished, fasting is believed by many holistic and nutritional experts to be the single best thing people can do to cleanse and heal the body and mind. In fact, it is believed that the greatest leaders from antiquity including Jesus, Prophet Mohammed and Buddha all fasted for 40 days, so with that in mind, let’s take a look at the top 7 benefits of absolute fasting.
1. Rejuvenated Immune System
A study carried out by scientists at the University of Southern California suggests that water-fasting “flips a regenerative switch” which prompts stem cells to create brand new white blood cells, essentially regenerating the entire immune system.
The science behind fasting is predicated on the belief that the body knows better than any drug or doctor how to heal itself – if given the chance. Most people don’t know that the body uses around half of its total energy to digest, assimilate and eliminate food which means that the body’s organs are working almost constantly, especially in people who eat a lot of processed foods. By water fasting for three days or more, the body starts to cleanse and has more energy to direct towards the cleansing and regeneration process.
2. Medical Conditions Improve
During the later stages of a prolonged water-fast and the refeeding process (which experts say should primarily consist of whole and raw foods) many fasters experience an improvement or even dissipation of medical conditions. These can include auto-immune disorders such as rhuematoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis and multiple scleroris, allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension (high blood pressure), type II diabetes and more.
3 . Mental Clarity & Brain Health
The body uses different sources of fuel during a fast. The first 8-12 hours is typically from undigested food in the digestive tract. The next store of energy is gained from the liver breaking down sugars in a process known as glycolysis. After this period, the body gets most of its energy from a process called ketosis where the body starts to break down fat in the body and studies have shown that ketones in the blood are good for the brain.
Fasting increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a protein that interacts with neurons in parts of the brain that regulate memory, learning, and higher cognitive function. Other studies have suggested that fasting can also help prevent age related cognitive decline and diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and ischemic strokes.
4. More Energy & Vitality
sorce images
After the fasting and refeeding process, the body is much cleaner and
hydrated which allows it to function as it should. Another positive
byproduct of this is increased energy levels and vitality that will help
you to tackle life’s challenges with more vigour.
5 . Weight Loss
After the fasting process, the body requires less calories to meet its energy needs as it functions more efficiently, most people report that after fasting they have less desire for processed, fatty and sugar rich foods, which helps the person keep the weight off going forward.
6. More In Tune With Your Body
The typical lifestyle of most people in the western and developing world is one of high stress and a lot of processed foods. This leads to a state of becoming desensitised and misaligned with signals from the body; signals that often tell that something is wrong and needs attention. Failure to feel and heed these signals then leads to the chronic conditions that are so common such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and autoimmune disorders.
During the fasting process as the body detoxes and becomes cleaner and more efficient, most people experience sometimes moderately unpleasant sensations from certain parts of the body which indicate that there is or has been a problem there. This is perfectly normal and can be interpreted as the body healing that unhealthy area.
7. Increased Spiritual Connection
Fasting quiets the mind, creating the emotional and mental environment for a deeper spiritual connection. Emotional scars are stored in the energetic system of the body and the cleansing process of fasting creates new space for emotional healing and for positive emotions to come in.
Many people who undergo a lengthy water fast report going through a lot of emotions, often ones that have been repressed for a long time. This emotional journey often leads to path of greater self-discover and enlightenment about what is important and then to a greater level of self-acceptance and empathy with others and the planet.
Water fasting is truly one of the best things you can do to cleanse your body and improve your physical, mental and spiritual health.
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