Fasting...a faster way to better health?


As many would already know, the month of Ramadan has come and many Muslims around the world will be fasting- this includes not eating or drinking for approximately 20 hours for one whole month. Of course, this isn't the whole idea behind Ramadan but plays a major role in what occurs within the month. But what are the effects of restraining from food and water? This week Universal Medicine will be exploring the potential benefits from fasting.

Within the past few years it's not only Muslims who have been fasting but many individuals have taken it upon themselves to undergo a diet which involves fasting. Hence, a catalogue of studies have suggested that fasting is good for the health which is why fasting is one of the most popular diets that people try. An extravagantly popular fasting diet goes by the name of the "5:2 diet" which involves 5 days of consuming food with a usual plan but 2 days which incorporate a calorie restriction of 25% of the calorie requirements (this would be 600 calories for men and 500 calories for women). An obvious health benefit from using the 5:2 fasting diet would be the weight improvement as it can help individuals to lose weight. But why does fasting help with weight loss? Well, whilst restraining from food it means that energy is not provided to the body. However, the body has stored glucose within the liver and muscles which can be used; the body uses the glucose which is stored 8 hours after not eating. When the glucose is used the body has to burn fat as a source of energy hence fat is used up from the body. 

Next, studies have indicated that fasting can improve blood pressure. Moreover, blood pressure is the force of the blood that moves through the circulatory system- this is important as blood carries oxygen and nutrients around the body. Subsequently, fasting can provide improvements to cholesterol levels- the maintenance of cholesterol levels is extremely important as having high cholesterol gives a major risk of coronary heart disease. In addition, fasting can help with insulin sensitivity. Another, intriguing nourishment gained from fasting is what individuals refer to as the "Re-booting of the immune system." Some studies portray that former immune cells are cleared out and regenerated to form new immune cells which means damaged immune cells can be replaced.

So, what's your view on fasting providing a possible method on obtaining good health? Be sure to let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment and also share this blog with others.
Thanks for the recent support and to anyone who is fasting Ramadan Kareem.

Written by Adil Rahman

Sources:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295914.php
http://the5-2dietbook.com/basics
   




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