What is fasting?
Fasting is defined as the abstinence from all or some foods or drinks like that solid or liquid for a set period of time. The different types of fasting: there are Water fasting, Juice fasting, Dry fasting, Intermittent fasting, Religion’s fasting, Raw fasting etc.
Intermittent fasting
Intermittent fasting refers to eating plans that alternate between fasting and eating periods. The goal is to systematically Starve the body long enough to trigger fat burning. intermittent fasting can help lose weight, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent or control diabetes and improve brains health.
Water fasting : The water fasting practitioner consumes only water.
Juice fasting: consumes only juices like fruits and vegetables.
Raw fasting: uncooked foods like raw vegetables and fruits.
Dry fasting: The practitioner don’t eat any type of food and water also.
Body processing: During the meal, carbohydrates in food are broken down into.
Glucose: Glucose absorbs through the intestinal wall in to the bloodstream and is transported to various organs, where it serves as the major energy source. Excess glucose is stored for later use in the liver and adipose tissue, in the form of glycogen and fats.
In between meals, when the body is in the fasted state, the liver converts glycogen back to glucose to keep supplying the body with energy. Typically an inactive person takes about 10 to 12 hours to use up the glycogen stores, although someone who exercises may do so in much less time. Once the reserve of glycogen in the liver is depleted, the body taps into energy stores in adipose tissues. This is when fats are broken down into free fatty acids which are then converted into additional metabolic fuel in the liver. Thus if the fasted state lasts long enough, the body burns fat for energy and loses that extra fat. Losing the extra fat is translated into a range of associated health benefits.
Benefits:
Improve overall fitness.
Decrease risk of metabolic diseases.
Support weight loss.
Reduce inflammation.
Protect from obesity and life style diseases.
Fasting can help to clear the mind.
Boosting brain functioning etc.
Precautions:
Fasting, however is not for everyone. Among those who should not attempt fasting are:
- Children and teens
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- People with eating disorders, diabetes type 1, advanced diabetes or some other medical problems.
- People who are underweight or frail.
- Fasting can also be unsafe if overdone, or if not done correctly.
To know more about it and explore the benefits please join YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMS KERALA at Amodagiri Yoga Sanctuary.
Dr. Josmy Jose
