Medical Research Proves There are Health Benefits to Intermittent Fasting

Date:   4/12/2019 10:46:25 PM ( 5 y ago)

Through the years, believers in different religions have abstained from eating food for a certain number of days in order to deepen their faith or to experience a spiritual awakening. But even the Greek philosophers and healers fasted, not necessarily for spiritual reasons, but to improve their mental clarity and physical health. In the 5th century BC, the Greek physician Hippocrates, also known as the "father of medicine" prescribed fasting for his patients who were experiencing symptoms of various physical ailments.

Other famous proponents of fasting have included Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin, along with modern-day celebrities Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. All of these people have claimed there are benefits to fasting, and the recent medical research has proven them to be correct.

Intermittent Fasting

There are many types of fasts. Some people choose to fast by drinking liquids only, anywhere from 5 days up to 40 days. Others fast from certain foods, such as sugar or meat for a certain time period. One of the most popular types of fasting, however, is intermittent fasting.

While it can be done in various ways, the key to intermittent fasting is to stop eating for a certain number of hours or days every week. For example, the 16/8 method means a person fasts every day for at least 16 hours and eats during an 8-hour window. Others prefer to fast every other day. No matter how it's done, medical research has proven there are many health benefits to intermittent fasting.

Health Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

The most recent medical research done on intermittent fasting, including clinical trials done at Harvard, one of the nation's best clinical studies facility, have shown that when done correctly, it is an effective way to lose weight. According to Mark Mattson, a professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, this type of fasting can even help to improve memory and mood, along with prevent certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Other proven health benefits of intermittent fasting include:

* Improve heart health by lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and triglycerides

* Reduce the risks of some types of cancer

* Reduce insulin resistance and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes for some people

Studies done on animals suggest intermittent fasting has the potential to help people live longer, improve brain health, reduce oxidative stress, and induce various cellular repair processes. Many of these studies are ongoing, but are proving to be promising for humans.

Health professionals and researchers say that in order to get the optimum benefit from intermittent fasting and to curb hunger, it's important to eat the right foods. High fiber foods, such as beans, fruits, and vegetables, along with high-protein foods, such as meat, fish, and nuts are all good foods to eat during a person's eating window. It's also crucial to drink plenty of water and stay physically active.

Some people, however, shouldn’t fast, including women who are pregnant, and those who are on certain medications. It’s always best to check with a doctor before starting any kind of fast.

Source

https://nysteia.com/live-well/societal-health/history-fasting-nysteia-revival-3000-years-forgotten-truth

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/intermittent-fasting-surprising-update-2018062914156

https://www.johnshopkinshealthreview.com/issues/spring-summer-2016/articles/are-there-any-proven-benefits-to-fasting

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