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The Health Benefits of Fasting

The Health Benefits of Fasting

Will Carroll

There has been much contention in the scientific field about whether or not fasting is beneficial to one's health.
Fasting is an integral part of many of the major religions including Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Many are
dubious as to whether the physiological effects are as beneficial as the spiritual promoted by these religions.
There is a significant community of alternative healers who believe that fasting can do wonders for the human
body. This paper will look at the arguments presented by these healers in an attempt to raise awareness of the
possible physiological benefits that may result from fasting.
Fasting technically commences within the first twelve to twenty-four hours of the fast. A fast does not chemically
begin until the carbohydrate stores in the body begin to be used as an energy source. The fast will continue as
long as fat and carbohydrate stores are used for energy, as opposed to protein stores. Once protein stores begin
to be depleted for energy (resulting in loss of muscle mass) a person is technically starving. (1)

The benefits of fasting must be preceded by a look at the body's progression when deprived of food. Due to the
lack of incoming energy, the body must turn to its own resources, a function called autolysis. (2) Autolysis is the
breaking down of fat stores in the body in order to produce energy. The liver is in charge of converting the fats
into a chemical called a ketone body, "the metabolic substances acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid"
(3), and then distributing these bodies throughout the body via the blood stream. "When this fat utilization occurs,
free fatty acids are released into the blood stream and are used by the liver for energy." (3) The less one eats, the
more the body turns to these stored fats and creates these ketone bodies, the accumulation of which is referred
to as ketosis. (4)

Detoxification is the foremost argument presented by advocates of fasting. "Detoxification is a normal body
process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and skin." (5).
This process is precipitated by fasting because when food is no longer entering the body, the body turns to fat
reserves for energy. "Human fat is valued at 3,500 calories per pound," a number that would lead one to believe
that surviving on one pound of fat every day would provide a body with enough energy to function normally. (2)
These fat reserves were created when excess glucose and carbohydrates were not used for energy or growth,
not excreted, and therefore converted into fat. When the fat reserves are used for energy during a fast, it
releases the chemicals from the fatty acids into the system which are then eliminated through the aforementioned
organs. Chemicals not found in food but absorbed from one's environment, such as DDT, are also stored in fat
reserves that may be released during a fast. One fasting advocate tested his own urine, feces and sweat during
an extended fast and found traces of DDT in each. (5)

A second prescribed benefit of fasting is the healing process that begins in the body during a fast. During a fast
energy is diverted away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the metabolism and immune
system. (6) The healing process during a fast is precipitated by the body's search for energy sources. Abnormal
growths within the body, tumors and the like, do not have the full support of the body's supplies and therefore are
more susceptible to autolysis. Furthermore, "production of protein for replacement of damaged cells (protein
synthesis) occurs more efficiently because fewer 'mistakes' are made by the DNA/RNA genetic controls which
govern this process." A higher efficiency in protein synthesis results in healthier cells, tissues and organs. (7) This
is one reason that animals stop eating when they are wounded, and why humans lose hunger during influenza.
Hunger has been proven absent in illnesses such as gastritis, tonsillitis and colds. (2) Therefore, when one is
fasting, the person is consciously diverting energy from the digestive system to the immune system.
In addition, there is a reduction in core body temperature. This is a direct result of the slower metabolic rate and
general bodily functions. Following a drop in blood sugar level and using the reserves of glucose found in liver
glycogen, the basal metabolic rate (BMR) is reduced in order to conserve as much energy within the body as can
be provided. (2) Growth hormones are also released during a fast, due to the greater efficiency in hormone
production. (7)

Finally, the most scientifically proven advantage to fasting is the feeling of rejuvenation and extended life
expectancy. Part of this phenomenon is caused by a number of the benefits mentioned above. A slower metabolic
rate, more efficient protein production, an improved immune system, and the increased production of hormones
contributes to this long-term benefit of fasting. In addition to the Human Growth Hormone that is released more
frequently during a fast, an anti-aging hormone is also produced more efficiently. (7) "The only reliable way to
extend the lifespan of a mammal is under-nutrition without malnutrition." (5) A study was performed on
earthworms that demonstrated the extension of life due to fasting. The experiment was performed in the 1930s
by isolating one worm and putting it on a cycle of fasting and feeding. The isolated worm outlasted its relatives by
19 generations, while still maintaining its youthful physiological traits. The worm was able to survive on its own
tissue for months. Once the size of the worm began to decrease, the scientists would resume feeding it at which
point it showed great vigor and energy. "The life-span extension of these worms was the equivalent of keeping a
man alive for 600 to 700 years." (8)

In conclusion, it seems that there are many reasons to consider fasting as a benefit to one's health. The body rids
itself of the toxins that have built up in our fat stores throughout the years. The body heals itself, repairs all the
damaged organs during a fast. And finally there is good evidence to show that regulated fasting contributes to
longer life. However, many doctors warn against fasting for extended periods of time without supervision. There
are still many doctors today who deny all of these points and claim that fasting is detrimental to one's health and
have evidence to back their statements. The idea of depriving a body of what society has come to view as so
essential to our survival in order to heal continues to be a topic of controversy.

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Living in the Fasting Lane

by author Peter Bennett, ND

Fasting on water for a period of one to ten days is a safe and powerful way to rejuvenate the mind and body.
Long used as the primary detoxification method by naturopathic physicians, there are many benefits to fasting,
both emotional and physical.

Twenty years ago, I learned about fasting from two books: Arnold Eheret’s Rational Fasting (1914) and Frank
McCoy’s The Fast Way To Health (1923). These books emphasized the healing abilities of the body if it can rest
in a fasting state. I first tried my own extended water fast of nine days while I was on a personal retreat. I was
impressed with what just drinking water could do. I had a clearer mind and my energy level was greatly
increased. Most importantly, I felt regenerated and renewed. Now, I often recommend water fasting for my
patients, especially for chronic health problems and as a yearly spring “tune-up.”

Tried and True Healing

Fasting is the oldest healing method known to civilization. Not only used by Ayurvedic and ancient Greek
physicians, fasting has been discussed in the Bible and the Koran, and popularized by the “physical culturists” of
the 19th century. Today, research shows fasting alleviates autoimmune disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes,
epilepsy, leaky gut, obesity, pancreatitis, and chemical poisoning (PCB and DDT). My own clinical experience has
shown fasting slows aging, improves liver function, improves mental functioning, and alleviates, and possibly
cures, arthritis.

The “Fast” Way to Slow Aging

For hundreds of years, Europeans have been using annual spa retreats to refresh and renew their health through
fasting and hydrotherapy. Clinical experience has demonstrated the benefits of this protocol. Recent research
shows that rational diet restriction in the form of short fasts may be the most powerful way known to humans to
extend life span. In fact, fasting is the only documented “alternative health” method to extend life span. Studies
have shown that high glucose and insulin damages mitochondria through oxidative stress, which causes aging.
Diet restriction (fasting) reduces this stress.

A Livelier Liver

Fasting enhances the liver’s ability to clear out metabolic flotsam from the bloodstream. As blood is filtered
through the liver, toxins are scavenged, neutralized, and reassembled for elimination. Because of the way in
which many of us eat and live, the liver can become sluggish and congested. Constant exposure to a lifetime of
toxins, nutrient-poor diets high in hydrogenated fats, and a leaky gut are among the primary causes of liver
burnout. Fasting regenerates the liver’s ability to function in a healthy way. But, be careful, because long- term
fasting or fasting in a polluted environment can go the wrong way and actually cause accelerated liver disease.
Always fast for short periods of time (e.g., two days to ten days) in as pure an environment as possible and take
vitamin C during your fasts - one to four grams daily, depending upon bowel tolerance, will suffice.

Clean the Blood, Clear the Mind

Fasting sharpens the mind and purifies the soul. People who fast report a sense of renewal. Fasting allows the
liver to clean the blood, which can then deliver pure uncontaminated “fuel” to the brain. If the liver can’t clean out
the “flotsam and jetsam” of the blood then recycled chemical messengers like adrenaline and other stress
hormones have a second chance to restimulate the nervous system. Several studies have shown that as liver
toxicity increases, we fail to break down drug-like compounds, which creates a toxic state that is truly intoxicating!

Power Up the Immune Function

Fasting rests the intestines and liver, both key sites of immune function. Sixty percent of our immune system
resides in our intestines. When you rest the intestines with fasting, you potentiate a healthy immune system. One
study showed that a fast of 36 or 60 hours significantly increases the power of the white blood cells to destroy
dangerous bacteria.

Alleviate Arthritis

Doctors have been using fasting to alleviate arthritis for over one hundred years. The best results are found when
a short fast is combined with a change to a vegetarian diet and removal of foods that cause allergic reactions.
Some doctors believe that fasting may be involved in changing the bacterial flora in a favourable way for patients
with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Abnormal bacteria are present in the stool in a high percentage of patients with a
variety of autoimmune problems such as RA, Crohn’s disease, and ankylosing spondelytis. Anaerobic bacterial
species such as klebsiella and proteus have been implicated.

Fasting No-No’s

Fasting for a prolonged period of time can diminish the body’s stores of glutathione. Glutathione is an antioxidant
- a potent detoxifying agent that enables the body to get rid of toxins and makes it less susceptible to aging and
disease. The liver produces high levels of glutathione. Studies show that when the body lacks dietary protein, as
in a prolonged fast, “low tissue antioxidant status” results. Long-term fasting causes the liver’s detoxifying ability
to be reduced. Therefore, those who are fasting should be very careful of chemical exposure. See the information
on supplements for ways to increases liver glutathione during fasting.

Fantastic Fasting

Fasting optimizes our immune, detoxifying, and digestive systems. Foregoing food can also rejuvenate our body,
mind, and spirit. Another benefit - and reward - of fasting is that it retunes our taste buds and returns us to a full
appreciation of the flavours of natural, whole foods.

Fasting Supplements

Vitamin C: 2 grams per day prevents oxidative damage during the detoxification of a fast.

Milk thistle: 300 milligrams per day increases liver glutathione during the fast.

Guidelines For a Two-Day Fast

 Decrease the amount of food eaten the two days before the fast so the body will adapt more easily.
 During the fast, drink one cup of water every hour with fresh lemon squeezed into it.
 Drink warm herbal tea every three hours.
 Rest in bed twice a day for 10 minutes.
 Avoid high stress situations, intense exercise, extreme temperature change and drafts, and chemical
exposure.
 Break the fast slowly and carefully with warm soups and juices.