Why Fasting is Good for Your Mind and Body

The concept of fasting has been around for many years. We’ve seen both outdated and new trends that could potentially help us achieve better results through approaching this alternative idea to weight loss. To be successful when trying these abstract diets, it’s important to know the healthy, safe side to fasting, and avoid the risks that will leave you feeling hungry and weak.

Hungry + Angry = HANGRY!

There are so many diet ideas floating around. Skipping breakfast, cutting meals, and juice cleanses are just a few fasting trends. Without mindful consideration and research, many of these trends can be dangerous. Because each of us have different metabolisms, our bodies and minds are going to react differently to each diet. That’s why it’s important to know the benefits and myths of fasting so that if you try this approach to weight loss, you can personalize it based on your health experience and regimen during the week.

Fasting for Physical Health

When mindfully fasting, it’s important to be consistent with what goes into your body’s system and what stays out. A common type of fast called intermittent fasting takes an approach in which you eat only during a designated portion of the day and fast for the remainder of the day. This diet approach can lead to longer life, as it increases resistance to disease and improves insulin sensitivity. It’s also been shown to increase your body’s ability to lose weight while growing muscle! Studies have even demonstrated a reduced proliferation of cancer cells in subjects who practiced intermittent fasting. Another study showed that alternate day fasting led to better reception of chemotherapy in cancer patients and a higher cure rate.

Fasting for Mental Health

Studies have found that fasting extends better resistance to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and strokes. It has a positive anti-aging effect on the brain, and can provide mental clarity, as well as higher energy levels! I have found two different approaches to fasting:

  1. Intermittent Fasting: a 16-hour fast with an 8-hour eating window. This is a basic idea in which you eat all your meals during the day within an 8-hour window (10:00 am to 6:00 pm for instance) and don’t eat at other times or while you are sleeping. This gives you a 16-hour fast during a 24-hour period with only minor adjustments to your normal eating schedule.
  2. Full Fast: a 24-hour fast day. This is a full day without eating (suggested to begin after your last dinner meal around 6:00pm) through to the next day at dinnertime.

Consider trying out one of these fasting techniques for a day and note your experience. If your body and brain are used to running on a constant supply of “fast” carbs (those high in sugar and that are easily digested), you may find that cutting these out will lead to feelings of brain fog and sluggishness. To combat those feeling, try incorporating healthy fats, like nuts and avocado; lean protein, like eggs, poultry, and salmon; and starchy carbs, like sweet potatoes. Use common sense and ensure that when you do eat you are including the right amount of proteins and nutrients for your body. It’s important to practice a healthy diet before and after your fasting period and avoid a pre or post-fast binge.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *