The doctor that cures you is inside your body and by intermittent fasting, you let this healing power do its work. ~Subah Jain
In our modern world, health is heavily associated with food and nutrition, and rightfully so. Many avid health seekers spend hours each week contemplating their food choices in order to support the proper functioning of their bodies. Still, many others do not realize that the source of their ailments and disease is largely due to poor dietary choices. However, you may be surprised to know that its not what you eat, but rather, when, that has an arguably greater impact on your health status and healing processes. Thus, let`s consider the absence of food, specifically intermittent fasting, as a strategy for achieving your health goals.
Intermittent Fasting
Fasting is the abstinence from food for either a short-term period, which is anywhere from 24 hours to 48 hours of no food; or longer-term fasting, which is more than 48 hours. Bodybuilder, Brad Pilon, popularized short-term fasting in his book Eat Stop Eat wherein he describes the process and benefits of the 24-hour fast. For example, suppose you eat your last meal at 8:00 p.m. the day before. You would fast overnight and then the entire day that follows, skipping breakfast and lunch. Finally, you would extend dinner to 8:00 p.m. This would constitute a full 24 hours without consuming any calories.
In contrast, intermittent fasting is the absence of food during a prescribed time period, sometimes referred to as time-restricted eating. The daily target schedule recommended by many health practitioners consists of a period of 16 hours without food, followed by an 8-hour window for consumption. For example, one can eat lunch starting at 12 noon, and finish dinner by 8:00p.m. Then you would fast until the next day at noon (16-hour fast). This schedule would be followed every day.
I learned to fast several years ago as part of my spiritual practice. At one stage, I would do a water-only fast for 3 straight days each month. From ancient times to modern day, many of the world’s religions encourage fasting as a way to achieve spiritual and mental strength, increase faith, draw close to God and/or manifest miracles. Some of the many benefits of fasting are listed in our article photo above.
My Fasting Objectives
I started intermittent fasting about 6 weeks ago with three main objectives in mind:
- Detoxification: This type of fast detoxes you, especially if you’re drinking a lot of water. Not only does water flush toxins but it facilitates the elimination process. Autophagy is the process by which the body cleans out damaged or dysfunctional cells, in order to regenerate newer, healthier cells. At the cellular level, autophagy removes toxic proteins from cells, thereby preventing degenerative brain diseases like Parkinson`s and Alzheimer`s disease; provides energy and other materials for cells that can still be repaired; and enables regeneration and creation of healthy cells. An anti-aging benefit is derived from the creation of younger cells. Autophagy is also being studied as to its role in preventing and treating many diseases, including cancer [see video]. In essence, it is like spring cleaning for the cells and it is apparently only evoked when we are fasted [though one source advises that fasting is the most effective way to trigger autophagy while it can also be started by changing to a ketogenic diet].
- Strengthen immunity: Given the time we’re living in, I thought this may give me a little extra protection against coronavirus. My research has since indicated that different types of fasts may strengthen your immunity and it may also depend on the type of infection. One study said that fasting helped people with bacterial infections but hurt people with viral infections. Your health situation may also affect whether fasting increases your immunity (and whether it is generally appropriate for you to do). There are reportedly no good quality studies about how fasting affects our susceptibility risk to coronavirus or our complication risk with covid-19. However, time-restricted fasting is said to be a great way to control your blood sugar. Furthermore, there is evidence that fasting and time-restricted eating may lower the risk of complications from coronavirus for a person who has hypoglycemia and diabetes.
- Weight loss: I don’t subscribe to the idea that you will necessarily gain weight because you’re aging. I simply reason that if my metabolism is slowing down and using less energy and/or burning less calories, I should just eat less and nutritiously (i.e. minimize processed, sugary, high carbohydrate foods) to maintain my ideal weight and optimal health.
My Fasting Schedule
When I first started intermittent fasting, my food abstinence period ranged from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. a few days per week (say three or four days). At that point, there were times when I would feel cold or unwell. I eventually learned to just drink some hot water, usually with a little apple cider vinegar, in order to feel better and re-balanced, so to speak. Alternatively, I have also had hot water with lemon juice or a herbal tea during those occasions of “un-wellness”. I now fast from 10:00 p.m. (sometimes earlier) to 4:00 p.m. 5 days per week. During that time, I drink eight 8-oz glasses of water. In recent times, I do not feel unwell such that I need to drink hot water. This is likely due to one or more of these three reasons: I am now used to regular fasting; I’m drinking more water as an objective and perhaps dehydration was the source of my previous discomfort; or its simply warmer outside as we approach the summer months, such that I no longer experience chills while fasting.
Experienced Benefits
As a result of the intermittent fasting, I’m much more energetic. I easily bounce up and down the stairs and rarely hesitate to rise early for my daily brisk walk.
For most of the fasting period, I do not feel hungry, nor do I feel irritable as some people experience when they’re hungry.
I have lost a bit of weight, including because I added brisk daily walking in my neighbourhood to my regimen. On this point, I’m only eyeballing myself to conclude that I’ve lost some weight. I don’t weigh myself as I don’t want to obsess over numbers. I`m more concerned about how I look and feel. I can honestly say that I feel great and have received compliments about my clear skin.
A key component of intermittent fasting is ensuring that when the fast is broken, you focus on real, whole foods. Regular fasting means that I don’t have to worry as much about meal preparation, which saves so much time and thought. When you’re on a restricted diet without intermittent fasting, there is constant consideration about what to eat for three meals plus snacks. Fasting for a portion of the day has made it easier to maintain my mostly vegan, low sugar/carbohydrate diet.
Added Appreciation
I really like that intermittent fasting reduces or helps control blood pressure. Though I’ve never had a problem in this area, I know a number of people who have either had strokes or who know others who have had strokes, which is quite alarming. I am encouraged to know that I am decreasing my chances of having a stroke through regular intermittent fasting and a generally healthy diet. Notably, high blood pressure is an underlying condition that poses an increased risk of severe symptoms, and potentially loss of life from COVID-19.
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We hope you found this information and commentary helpful. However, they are not medical advice. We encourage you to do your own research and consult with a duly qualified health practitioner before starting any form of fasting, particularly if you have a pre-existing health condition(s), are on any medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Additional Resources
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Andrea P. Kelly is a Lawyer and Notary Public at www.AndreaKellyLaw.com with practice focus in Estate Planning and Administration, including wills, estates, trusts and powers of attorney. Her battle and victory over rheumatoid arthritis using natural health alternatives was a pivotal, life changing experience. Andrea`s desire to help people find solutions to life`s problems, particularly those suffering from chronic illnesses, was birthed as www.PearlsOfWisdomForAbundantLife.com. Whereas she spent the first part of her career helping people to die well, she now wants to help people to live well. |
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