Water fasting is a good way to get rid of toxins from your body and to restore your energy levels. However, there are several things that you should know before starting a water fast.
Increased alertness
A water fast in the right circumstances is a no brainer. While the thought of eschewing the food and beverages may prove to be an unintentional downfall, the health benefits are worth the sacrifice. Several studies have confirmed that the human body has been shown to exhibit a significant decrease in the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. In some cases, these illnesses have been attributed to a lack of digestive enzymes in the gut. To remedy this situation, a regimen of high fiber, low calorie diet coupled with daily bouts of physical activity and regular hydration may be just the ticket.
Improved sleep patterns
A short term fasting regimen may be your ticket to a snooze proof, sleep enhancing night. Those looking to get the most out of their nights sleep are best advised to stick to a schedule of about 16 hours per day. Not to mention avoiding the dreaded late night snacks. One week of home based, modified, and placebo controlled fasting may be all that’s required. Moreover, this form of self-imposed starvation is proven to be a boon to your weight and overall health.
In fact, the latest and greatest research indicates that a one week regimen of intermittent fasting can boost your blood glucose levels and overall health by at least two points on the scale. However, those with insomnia may be better off opting for a full night’s sleep. It’s a well-known fact that prolonged fasting isn’t for everyone. The best news is that such regimens are relatively inexpensive and easy to implement. Besides, the rewards are aplenty. With that said, don’t be fooled by the name.
While the benefits of intermittent fasting are numerous, there’s also a downside. For example, the brainpower of the average human being is reduced. This may be mitigated by a diet plan that is more balanced. Moreover, those who are unable to manage their food consumption on a regular basis may experience a lack of motivation, poorer performance and less energy. Ultimately, the decision to fast must be weighed against other factors like health, social and economic factors. Those who are lucky enough to have an evening to spare may want to think long and hard about giving up that evening.
Lower blood pressure
Taking a water fast for a day can lead to many positive benefits for your body. It helps to reduce weight, cholesterol, and even diabetes. The process can also help to clean up your cells. In addition, it can protect your heart from free radical damage.
One study showed a dramatic decrease of 11 points on the blood pressure scale. However, more research is needed to determine the short-term and long-term effects of a water fast.
Medically supervised water-only fasting appears to be an effective method of normalizing blood pressure. It helps to promote health-promoting lifestyle changes, and it may help to motivate people to make those changes.
Water fasting may also lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Having blood sugar levels too high or too low can lead to dizziness, fatigue, and headaches.
People on blood pressure medication should consult their healthcare provider before starting a fasting routine. They should also watch for signs of orthostatic hypotension. If they experience this, they should stop driving.
Fasting can also increase your risk of heart disease. Some studies have linked the increased risk to heart arrhythmia. Having an irregular heartbeat puts more strain on your heart and can cause heart failure.
In addition, a rapid drop in insulin levels can impair the regulation of your blood glucose. Similarly, people with diabetes may have difficulty getting the nutrients they need when they fast.
When fasting, the nervous system enters a state of relaxation. This decreases stimulation of the osmotic pressure receptors, which helps to lower blood pressure.
In fact, one study found that a 24-hour water fast significantly reduced systolic blood pressure. Interestingly, this reduction was accompanied by improvements in inflammation and LDL cholesterol.
Improved immune system
For years, there has been growing evidence that fasting can have an immunomodulatory effect. This is important because chronic inflammation causes a host of diseases.
In addition, studies have shown that fasting can reduce the risk of infection by reducing oxidative stress. Furthermore, it improves innate immunity. It can also increase the level of B cell immunity.
Researchers have now found that short-term fasting can reduce the number of monocytes in the circulation, which is a type of pro-inflammatory immune cell. However, the effects of this short-term fasting are not always consistent.
Professor Valter Longo, director of the USC Longevity Institute, is currently researching fasting effects. He is working on a vaccine that can protect against a novel coronavirus.
Early clinical trials have shown that the immune response can be restored after a fasting period. The process of cleaning up older white blood cells is one of the main mechanisms for this effect.
Studies in mice suggest that calorie restriction (CR) promotes memory T cells to protect against infections. Fasting also enhances the ability of T cells to protect against tumors.
Currently, research is being conducted to investigate the effect of dawn to sunset fasting on immunity. Studies are needed to determine whether this fasting method can effectively protect against SARS-CoV-2.
Professor Valter Longo is also investigating how fasting can protect the body against viruses and other diseases that affect the immune system. These studies are expected to provide insight into how to prevent and treat these diseases.
Dawn to sunset fasting may play a critical role in adaptive humoral defense against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Additionally, it can significantly lower the risk of developing chronic inflammatory disease.
There are many types of fasting diets. It is important to define these correctly.
Can worsen certain medical conditions
While it’s true that water fasting is a great way to improve your health, it’s not a good idea to do it if you have certain medical conditions. This includes pregnancy and breastfeeding. It may also be a good idea to do a supervised test run before you jump in. If you’re new to the whole fasting thing, a three to four day trial is a good bet.
The biggest drawback is that you’re left to your own devices, and this can prove to be an incredibly stressful and exhausting experience. However, there are a handful of tips and tricks that can make your experience a whole lot more pleasant. Aside from making sure you’re drinking enough fluids, there are a few other things you should know about the art of fasting.
First and foremost, do your research before you embark on any long-term fasting experiment. Generally, you’ll want to check with your doctor, especially if you’re pregnant or on medication. They should be able to give you a more personalised recommendation. You may also be interested to learn that some doctors recommend a medically supervised fasting regimen as a means of treating borderline hypertension.
As a matter of fact, there’s actually a lot more to water fasting than meets the eye. Although it’s been shown that short-term fasting can have some serious health benefits, more studies are needed to truly evaluate its long-term impact on the human body. There are some notable caveats, such as the risk of dehydration and hypotension, that can’t be discounted. These may be mitigated by ensuring you have a steady supply of fluids and staying hydrated. Having a solid plan is the key to a successful fast.