Is Fasting Healthy?

[ronnierokk Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ronnierokk]

In this post, I'll be discussing whether or not fasting is healthy.

As you may or may not know there are many people that fast for different reasons such as:

• Religious reasons
• Weight loss
• Metabolic health

But...is this really good for you?

no-food.jpg

According to Journal Academy Nutrition and Dietetics, periodic fasting may be a good way to lose weight and promote metabolic health.

Fasting regimens include periodic one-day fasts, restricted fasts involving food restrictions during specific times during the day (religious fast).

Fasting is not physically or mentally harmful. However, fasting causes intense hunger, so it is probably not sustainable.

Fasting methods that restrict nighttime eating appear to have positive long-term effects on weight control. However, not much is known about the effects of fasting on sleep, hunger control or physical activity.

A review of literature led by Ruth Patterson from the Department of Family Medicine & Public Health at the University of California, San Diego concluded that fasting reduced blood sugar and insulin, which is linked to chronic type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and caused some weight loss.

So to sum it up it seems that if fasting is done properly it can, in fact, be good for you.

[not2big Senior Super ModeratorPEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close not2big]

"fasting reduced blood sugar and insulin, which is linked to chronic type 2 diabetes and heart disease"

i dont understand what this means. Is reduced blood sugar and insulin linked to diabetes? Or, Is it the other way around?

[Dangler Senior Administrator☼ Wizard ☼ White Tiger Award 2015 Find all posts View Profile Close Dangler]

Weight loss ? I'd love some of that !

[Big Al AdministratorPEGym EditorMale Enhancement Coach Rep.PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close Big Al]

There can be some definite spiritual and emotional benefits to fasting as well.

[jockinthebox Retired Moderator Member of the Month May 2015PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close jockinthebox]

"fasting reduced blood sugar and insulin, which is linked to chronic type 2 diabetes and heart disease"

i dont understand what this means. Is reduced blood sugar and insulin linked to diabetes? Or, Is it the other way around?

It's the other way around. Fasting reduces blood sugars & insulin, so it's a suggested therapy for those with diabetes.

[User4286 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close User4286]

Digesting food is a complex process for the body and costs a lot of energy - although healthy food gives energy back.
Nertheless fasting gives the body time to rest.

But I've never tried it for longer because I'm always so hungry hehe.

[cashbacter Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close cashbacter]

Weight loss ? I'd love some of that !

I've lost 9 kg(18.8 lb) in ramadan with focus t25 fitness program.But every body is different some people lose weight and some people gain weight during ramadan.

And for OP you can also search wet cupping for health.

[alslima Member Find all posts View Profile Close alslima]

My everyday routine includes fasting and I really love it. I skip breakfast and since I started doing this I feel less hungry and with more energy in the morning (its crazy, right?). I also, sometimes do a 24 hour fast and the felling is great! I'm very physically active and I usually can train harder when I am with an empty stomach.

So far, I have seen no disadvantage in fasting.

[MisterBator Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close MisterBator]

There are many fitness enthusiasts who swear by IF(Intermittent Fasting) specifically for lowering body fat percentage. If you haven't seen them "Hodge Twins" Youtube stars have done a bit on it as well. There's loads of evidence revealing IF is beneficial or can be beneficial. Think where we came from 3000 years ago. Meals were DEFINITELY not every 2-3 hours accessible. Do you really think in a few thousand years evolution has advanced so much to account for the bullshit we've done in the last 100 years? LOL. Put yourself in a state that would have been likely a few thousand years ago and see what happens. I bet you get ripped like you haven't before. Our bodies have no where near adjusted to all the 'food' on the market now. Try a Paleo diet with regular exercise.

P.S. BTW, IMO... doing anything for religious reasons = genocide.

[CUSP82 Administrator Admin of the Month Dec 2014PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close CUSP82]

Great topic for after Thanksgiving. Since I ate enough for 2 days yesterday I think I'll fast!

[Ultimate Burrito Moderator Member of the Month Oct 2017PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close Ultimate Burrito]

May need to get my vision checked... when I first saw the title of the thread I thought it read "Is fisting healthy" and I was very intrigued to see what was going on in here! Hahahaha

[Ultimate Burrito Moderator Member of the Month Oct 2017PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close Ultimate Burrito]

P.S. BTW, IMO... doing anything for religious reasons = genocide.

C'mon bro was that really necessary? However, I respect your opinions, but "Ouch!"

[luweesz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close luweesz]

I believe it's healthy, it frees up your stomach and saves you somehow money. Though not about the money thing, best benefits of fasting is making you think or look at situations better

[Jhest Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jhest]

Alot of the IG fitness giants seem to be big on intermittent fasting. Some claim they eat all their calories in a 4 hour time span and it allows them to eat basically anything they want and remain lean. Something I should look more into!

[Pegasus AdministratorPE Gym EditorPEGym Hero ☺ Admin of the Month Mar 2015 Find all posts View Profile Close Pegasus]

Lots of things get trendy for awhile . Fasting has a long history but intermittent fasting can mean missing a meal.