Health Benefits of Fasting

The Health Benefits of Fasting
by Will Carroll

There has been much contention in the scientific field about whether
or not fasting is beneficial to one's health. Fasting is an integral
part of many of the major religions including Islam, Judaism and
Christianity. Many are dubious as to whether the physiological effects
are as beneficial as the spiritual promoted by these religions. There
is a significant community of alternative healers who believe that
fasting can do wonders for the human body.

Fasting technically commences within the first twelve to twenty-four
hours of the fast. A fast does not chemically begin until the
carbohydrate stores in the body begin to be used as an energy source.
The fast will continue as long as fat and carbohydrate stores are used
for energy, as opposed to protein stores. Once protein stores begin to
be depleted for energy (resulting in loss of muscle mass) a person is
technically starving.

Detoxification is the foremost argument presented by advocates of
fasting. "Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or
neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph
glands, and skin." This process is precipitated by fasting because
when food is no longer entering the body, the body turns to fat
reserves for energy. "Human fat is valued at 3,500 calories per
pound," a number that would lead one to believe that surviving on one
pound of fat every day would provide a body with enough energy to
function normally. These fat reserves were created when excess
glucose and carbohydrates were not used for energy or growth, not
excreted, and therefore converted into fat. When the fat reserves are
used for energy during a fast, it releases the chemicals from the
fatty acids into the system which are then eliminated through the
aforementioned organs.

A second prescribed benefit of fasting is the healing process that
begins in the body during a fast. During a fast energy is diverted
away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the
metabolism and immune system. The healing process during a fast is
precipitated by the body's search for energy sources. Abnormal growths
within the body, tumors and the like, do not have the full support of
the body's supplies and therefore are more susceptible to autolysis.
Furthermore, "production of protein for replacement of damaged cells
(protein synthesis) occurs more efficiently because fewer 'mistakes'
are made by the DNA/RNA genetic controls which govern this process." A
higher efficiency in protein synthesis results in healthier cells,
tissues and organs. This is one reason that animals stop eating when
they are wounded, and why humans lose hunger during influenza. Hunger
has been proven absent in illnesses such as gastritis, tonsillitis and
colds. Therefore, when one is fasting, the person is consciously
diverting energy from the digestive system to the immune system.

In addition, there is a reduction in core body temperature. This is a
direct result of the slower metabolic rate and general bodily
functions. Following a drop in blood sugar level and using the
reserves of glucose found in liver glycogen, the basal metabolic rate
(BMR) is reduced in order to conserve as much energy within the body
as can be provided. Growth hormones are also released during a fast,
due to the greater efficiency in hormone production.

Finally, the most scientifically proven advantage to fasting is the
feeling of rejuvenation and extended life expectancy. Part of this
phenomenon is caused by a number of the benefits mentioned above. A
slower metabolic rate, more efficient protein production, an improved
immune system, and the increased production of hormones contributes to
this long-term benefit of fasting. In addition to the Human Growth
Hormone that is released more frequently during a fast, an anti-aging
hormone is also produced more efficiently. "The only reliable way to
extend the lifespan of a mammal is under-nutrition without
malnutrition." A study was performed on earthworms that demonstrated
the extension of life due to fasting. The experiment was performed in
the 1930s by isolating one worm and putting it on a cycle of fasting
and feeding. The isolated worm outlasted its relatives by 19
generations, while still maintaining its youthful physiological
traits. The worm was able to survive on its own tissue for months.
Once the size of the worm began to decrease, the scientists would
resume feeding it at which point it showed great vigor and energy.
"The life-span extension of these worms was the equivalent of keeping
a man alive for 600 to 700 years."

In conclusion, it seems that there are many reasons to consider
fasting as a benefit to one's health. The body rids itself of the
toxins that have built up in our fat stores throughout the years. The
body heals itself, repairs all the damaged organs during a fast. And
finally there is good evidence to show that regulated fasting
contributes to longer life. However, many doctors warn against fasting
for extended periods of time without supervision. There are still many
doctors today who deny all of these points and claim that fasting is
detrimental to one's health and have evidence to back their
statements. The idea of depriving a body of what society has come to
view as so essential to our survival in order to heal continues to be
a topic of controversy.

The complete version of this paper can be found at:
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology.../wcarroll.html

"John S." quoted:

The Health Benefits of Fasting
by Will Carroll

There has been much contention in the scientific field about whether
or not fasting is beneficial to one's health. Fasting is an integral
part of many of the major religions including Islam, Judaism and
Christianity. Many are dubious as to whether the physiological effects
are as beneficial as the spiritual promoted by these religions. There
is a significant community of alternative healers who believe that
fasting can do wonders for the human body.

The problem I see is diet support groups get enough visitors
with eating disorders that discussing fasting is very problematic.
it is a very bad idea to point out benefits of fasting to anyone
with an eating disorder who should work at developing regular
eating habits not get tempted to take extreme actions. While
properly done fasting isn't extreme, folks with eating disorders
(and many without) don't know when a fast becomes starvation.
Consider that "hunger strikes" are sometimes called fasting.

Fasting technically commences within the first twelve to twenty-four
hours of the fast. A fast does not chemically begin until the
carbohydrate stores in the body begin to be used as an energy source.

And not even then - That's going into ketosis. Eating the diet
of a successful predator will put you into ketosis.

Which brings up the question - If there are benefits to fasting,
how many are actually from being in ketosis, and vice versa?

The fast will continue as long as fat and carbohydrate stores are used
for energy, as opposed to protein stores. Once protein stores begin to
be depleted for energy (resulting in loss of muscle mass) a person is
technically starving.

But how to tell, and how to take into account the fact that the
body will tend to drop lean mass before fat in order to reduce
its current energy consumption? Folks who yoyo diet can end
up "skinny fat" from dropping lean mass like this.

A second prescribed benefit of fasting is the healing process that
begins in the body during a fast. During a fast energy is diverted
away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the
metabolism and immune system. The healing process during a fast is
precipitated by the body's search for energy sources. Abnormal growths
within the body, tumors and the like, do not have the full support of
the body's supplies and therefore are more susceptible to autolysis.

Again I wonder how much of this happens while in ketosis as a
result of a successful predator diet compared to fasting. Except
the digestion part.

In addition, there is a reduction in core body temperature. This is a
direct result of the slower metabolic rate and general bodily
functions. Following a drop in blood sugar level and using the
reserves of glucose found in liver glycogen, the basal metabolic rate
(BMR) is reduced in order to conserve as much energy within the body
as can be provided.

Various studies of VLCD show T3 output starting to drop in two
weeks in, but as I read them and consider what I've read over the
years about loss rates it appears to me that the less you have to
lose the sooner it happens the more you have to lose the later it
happens and at some point (maybe 100+ pounds to lose) it
doesn't happen at all until you're below that weight.

But those studies are with eating protein and fat. That BMR
reduction should happen sooner in a fast makes sense.

Growth hormones are also released during a fast,
due to the greater efficiency in hormone production.

Among breeds of dogs, the small breeds live longer the
larger breeds live shorter lives. I don't know if there have
ever been studies of smaller people living longer, but the
90+ year old folks I can remember have been small. So
maybe keeping growth hormone low helps longevity?

Finally, the most scientifically proven advantage to fasting is the
feeling of rejuvenation and extended life expectancy.

An edition of Discover magazine about 6 months ago
covered caloric reduction and longevity increase. One
suggestion is the biggest contributor was lower insulin.
This too suggests an advantage to low carb.

Part of this
phenomenon is caused by a number of the benefits mentioned above. A
slower metabolic rate, more efficient protein production, an improved
immune system, and the increased production of hormones contributes to
this long-term benefit of fasting. In addition to the Human Growth
Hormone that is released more frequently during a fast, an anti-aging
hormone is also produced more efficiently. "The only reliable way to
extend the lifespan of a mammal is under-nutrition without
malnutrition."

Under nutrition without malnutrition - Doesn't that sound like
any good low carb or low fat plan? Or any low calorie plan
that carefully controls what is eaten to make sure nutrients
are plentiful?

In conclusion, it seems that there are many reasons to consider
fasting as a benefit to one's health.

But if anyone ever in your life has asked you about an eating
disorder, run away!

Much thanks for your comments on the article. I was in such a hurry
to contribute to the group that I forgot to make comment on why I was
posting it. I'm not necessarily in favor of fasting or trying to
promote it and I didn't take the time to check the data in the article
for accuracy. Moreover, I also didn't consider the influence it might
have on people who might have a tendency to starve or undereat.

The reason I posted it was because conceptually the idea of keeping
careful watch on caloric intake and noting the benefits that might
result from lower caloric intake rather than higher caloric intake
seemed important to discuss.

John S.