Did You Know That Fasting Can Lead To Some Health Benefits?

Original source : http://www.gaviscon.com.my
Posted : July 2014
Author : the admin

Ramadan is the time of religious fasting for muslims. It means one month of fasting and then breaking the fast with your family and friends. More and more people are fasting not only during Ramadan. Fasting has long been only associated with religious rituals and diets. Research even shows routine periodic fasting is also good for your health. Many people don't know about the impacts of fasting on the body, so here some effects of fasting on your body:

Brain function:

Short-term fasting might trigger autophagy, the progress when cells recycle waste material, downregulate wasteful processes, and repair themselves. Fasting can increase levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which is a protein that interacts with the parts of the brain that regulate memory, learning, and higher cognitive function. Low levels of BDNF might be connected to Alzheimer's.

Weight loss:

It decreases caloric intake and lowers weight gain. Moreover, it might decrease the risk of metabolic disease. In addition, it can increase fat burning while sparing lean mass.

Insulin:

Intermittent fasting helps to improve insulin sensitivity and to reduce insulin resistance. Fasting causes hunger or stress. In response, the body releases more cholesterol, allowing it to utilise fat as a source of fuel, instead of glucose. The fewer fat cells a body has, the less likely it will experience insulin resistance, or diabetes. It can lower the risk of coronary artery, too.

Cholesterol, triglyceride and ghrelin:

Fasting raises good and bad cholesterol. Triglyceride levels decrease which reduces the risk of heart diseases. Fasting increases the level of ghrelin (the hunger hormone) to reduce overeating.

~Blog Admin~