A recent article from DiscoverMagazine.com details two studies that fasting can improve heart health and reduce the chance of diabetes. The studies show that fasting reduces the level of triglycerides and the blood sugar level in the body, both of which are good things. Also, fasting induces the production of a human growth hormone by 2,000%! Fasting has also, in these studies, been linked to lower cholesterol and better memories. Although the study of the longterm effects of fasting has not been concluded since these studies are fairly recent, I believe that one could safely assume that fasting for a limited amount of time is good for the body and the mind.
If fasting truly does all of these things for your body, I am surprised that more people do not fast more often. I know that many religious people, including myself, fast on occasion, usually to remember to pray for something every time they get hungry. I have only fasted a few times, and only for things that are very important to me. I'm the type of person who loves her food, so I don't give it up easily! Also, I have always played sports year round since I was little, so I wasn't able to stop eating for an extended period of time because I needed the food for my sports. The few times that I have fasted, though, I survived without a hitch, so I don't think that fasting is too much of a strain on my body. The researcher in this article fasts for one day, once a month. I think that I will try to adopt this habit in hopes that it will reduce my chances getting of diabetes and coronary heart disease and decrease my triglyceride level. Who knows, maybe I'll even lose some weight from this endeavor!
Another facet of the study showed that fasting for only one day raises the level of a growth hormone by 2000%! I wonder if children who fasted for one day a month since they were young would grow up to be bigger and stronger than children who do not fast. I do not know if this study would be ethical or not (I am guessing that depriving children of food is probably looked down upon in most circles), but I do think that it would be an interesting study, nevertheless. But, whether or not children are able to execute the opportunity of fasting, I will implement this in my own life, and hope that it has good consequences for my body.
Article Source:http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/04/08/a-day-without-food-may-help-maintain-a-heart-without-disease/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+80beats+%2880beats%29
Image Source:https://mrkhealth.pbworks.com/w/page/23513911/How-can-we-educate-and-help-IA-students-avoid-the-dangers-of-Eating-Disorders
Article Source:http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/04/08/a-day-without-food-may-help-maintain-a-heart-without-disease/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+80beats+%2880beats%29
Image Source:https://mrkhealth.pbworks.com/w/page/23513911/How-can-we-educate-and-help-IA-students-avoid-the-dangers-of-Eating-Disorders
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