11 Medical Benefits of Fasting

Collectively, and medically, fasting is a great reward from ALLAH Which also saves us from many diseases and protects against many diseases.

Fasting has long been used as an alternative medical treatment, helping patients suffering from conditions like diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, and depression. Though still not widely accepted in the scientific community, there have been many studies conducted on the medical benefits of fasting, with promising results. Here are 11 of the most important health benefits of fasting that you should know about.

 

1) Fasting reduces blood pressure

A study conducted by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, revealed that intermittent fasting reduced blood pressure in hypertensive rats. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is caused by damaged blood vessels. Fasting also appears to have anti-inflammatory properties. In a study published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, researchers found that prolonged calorie restriction reduced plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an important marker for inflammation. A high CRP level is linked to heart disease as well as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

 

2) Fasting lowers blood sugar

According to a study published in Translational Research, people who were observed regularly engaging in short fasts experienced decreased blood sugar levels when compared to a control group. The study looked at people with type 2 diabetes and noted an average blood glucose level decrease of 4% following their 16-hour fasts. People without diabetes should see similar benefits when fasting as long as they’re healthy. This could be especially useful for diabetics who need to improve their blood sugar control and are looking for natural ways to do so, or those that have type 2 diabetes.

 

3) Fasting helps you lose weight

When your body doesn’t have food, it burns its fat stores to produce energy instead. This process, called ketosis, speeds up weight loss and reduces inflammation. For example, a review study published in April 2017 in Experimental Biology found that when participants fasted for 24 hours every day for three months, they dropped an average of 9 pounds—without exercising more than usual. Another review study published in Obesity Reviews found that subjects who regularly fasted lost roughly 5 percent of their body weight after 10 weeks. These aren’t huge amounts, but it still translates to about six pounds over three months or twenty-two pounds over a year—which is enough to improve your health markers and reduce your risk factors for diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

 

4) Fasting induces ketosis

A prolonged fast will eventually trigger ketosis. When you’re in ketosis, your body becomes a fat-burning machine, which will help you lose weight and increase energy. Fasting also triggers autophagy, a natural process by which our bodies eliminate old or damaged cells. Autophagy is critical for good health—it helps prevent cancer and Alzheimer’s disease as well as keeps our brains healthy. So if you want to live longer, lower your cancer risk, and stay sharp in old age (and who doesn’t?), then consider adding intermittent fasting to your health routine. It could add years to your life—really!

 

5) Fasting boosts mental clarity

Fasting sparks the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which aids in neurogenesis, or the development of new neurons. Regularly clearing out old cells leads to better mental clarity. It also activates proteins linked to memory and learning. Fasting helps digestion: During a fast, your body produces less insulin, which is an important hormone for controlling blood sugar levels. This reduces inflammation and makes it easier for your digestive system to function normally. In fact, some studies suggest that intermittent fasting may reduce risk factors associated with heart disease and diabetes by as much as 30 percent. Fasting increases longevity: Studies on animals show that calorie restriction can increase lifespan by up to 40 percent—the equivalent of adding an extra decade or two to your life expectancy!

 

6) Fasting increases HDL Cholesterol (the good kind!)

Have you ever noticed that after a fast, your cholesterol levels tend to be better than before? Well, when you fast, your body has no choice but to increase HDL (high-density lipoprotein) aka good cholesterol. Many health practitioners recommend increasing HDL in order to lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol. This can prevent or reverse atherosclerosis and reduce heart disease. An added benefit is that high HDL levels have been linked with longer life expectancies! (1) So next time you start feeling hungry during a fast, don’t worry—it could be helping your long-term health goals.

 

7) Fasting improves insulin sensitivity

When you eat, your body releases insulin to help regulate blood sugar levels. But if you’re constantly eating, it may not have a chance to adapt to your diet and adjust its insulin production accordingly. This can lead to insulin resistance—when your body doesn’t respond as well to insulin. Insulin resistance increases your risk for developing type 2 diabetes because when there is an excess amount of glucose in your bloodstream, that glucose doesn’t get absorbed by cells. Instead, it stays in circulation and raises blood sugar levels, which exacerbates insulin resistance (and eventually leads to prediabetes or diabetes). So don’t just sit down for dinner—take time during each day (or each meal) for a break from eating.

 

8) Fasting allows detoxification

Fasting allows our bodies to cleanse themselves in a unique way that dieting or even juice cleanses cannot. By detoxifying your body, you allow it to rejuvenate and heal itself by getting rid of things like mucus and other junk that can’t be broken down through digestion. Although we don’t know everything about how fasting works, one thing is for sure—fasters feel better. In fact, many people who try intermittent fasting report feeling more energetic during their fasts.

 

9) Digestive system gets better

Fasting or not eating for long periods actually reduces abdominal fat, which is great news because belly fat is one of the most dangerous types of body fat and is associated with heart disease. With less belly fat, your liver can more effectively do its job at metabolizing fats, cholesterol, and other substances in your blood. So not only will you get rid of that dangerous midsection bulge but also be improving your health by doing so. Fasting or not eating for long periods actually reduces abdominal fat, which is great news because belly fat is one of the most dangerous types of body fat and is associated with heart disease. With less belly fat, your liver can more effectively do its job at metabolizing fats, cholesterol, and other substances in your blood.

 

10) Resistance increases

When you eat, your body pumps out insulin. But when you're in a fasted state, your body doesn't need to make as much insulin. This is especially important for muscle growth and fat loss. When insulin levels are high, it inhibits an enzyme called protein kinase B (or Akt) that regulates muscle protein synthesis. The result: You lose muscle tissue and take on water weight—not a good look if you want to get lean!

 

11) Reduce the risk of skin and breast cancer

Cancer is usually viewed as an inside-out problem. But research suggests that many forms of cancer can also be prevented by putting things on your outside. A new study found that antioxidants in fruits and vegetables reduce your risk for certain types of skin cancer. In contrast, other studies have suggested a link between vitamin D and reduced rates of both skin and breast cancer. More research still needs to be done, but it's clear: Eating healthy can do you a lot better than you think.

SO, here are some of the benefits of fasting.

In every act of worship, ALLAH has hidden the benefits of the Hereafter as well as the benefits of this world. Always give thanks to Him and fast yourself and exhort others.

Be sure to comment to express your opinion, and if there is any problem with our post, you are given a link to our contact form, Facebook page, and Instagram.