fasting

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Fasting for a certain period has been practiced for centuries by different cultures, religions and even medical professionals. Scientific studies have also shown the benefits of fasting to boost the immune system and improve general health.

The immune system plays a crucial role in our body’s ability to fight infections, bacteria and other harmful microorganisms that cause diseases. The effectiveness of your immune system largely depends on genetics as well as lifestyle factors such as stress, exercise and diet.

If you want to protect yourself against infections or illness, especially during the winter, here are 8 reasons why you should start fasting to boost your immunity:

8 Reasons To Use Fasting To Improve Your Health and Wellness

  • Helps you lose weight
  • Assists in breaking unhealthy eating habits
  • Boosts your energy levels
  • Improves your mental health
  • Reduces your blood pressure
  • Reduces your blood sugar levels
  • Helps heal your gut
  • Helps clear your skin and heal scars

1. Fasting Helps to Reboot and Regenerate Your Immune System

The immune system is an intricate network of organs, cells and pathways that work together to fight infections and disease-causing pathogens. The system begins with the lymph nodes, where white blood cells are produced and travel to other parts of the body to trigger an immune response.

When we are fasting and the body goes into a state of ketosis, it triggers a process of autophagy that helps to renew and regenerate your immune system. Autophagy is a process where the cells are broken down and recycled to create new cells and eliminate harmful substances that can cause disease.

Studies have shown that fasting stimulates autophagy, helping to boost the immune system and improve immune function. The immune system is like a computer system that needs to be rebooted and cleaned up every once in a while to stay efficient and effective.

When you are fasting, your body is getting rid of harmful toxins and harmful bacteria and restoring the immune system. This makes your immune system stronger and more efficient, making it easier for your body to fight infections and diseases.

2. Fasting Decreases Inflammation

Inflammation is a natural response of the body that occurs when the immune system detects harmful microorganisms or bacteria. Healthy levels of inflammation protect the body from infections and help the healing process after infections or wounds.

However, when the body is in a state of prolonged inflammation, it can lead to serious diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders and cancer. The immune system is closely linked to inflammation, and several studies have shown that fasting can decrease inflammation in the body.

Fasting to reduce inflammation is one of the most common reasons why people fast. Inflammation reduced by fasting is mainly triggered when you consume less amount of sugar and simple carbohydrates in your diet. These types of foods might cause a rise in blood sugar levels and lead to inflammation in the body.

When you fast, you also experience a drop in blood sugar levels, which triggers the “anti-inflammatory pathway” in the body. This allows the immune system to fight harmful microorganisms while reducing the level of inflammation in the body.

Additionally, during a fast, your body also uses up glycogen or “sugar” stored in your liver which usually fights inflammation. Therefore, fasting to reduce inflammation is also helpful for people suffering from chronic diseases such as arthritis or other autoimmune diseases.

3. Fasting Improves Insulin Sensitivity

Fasting to improve insulin sensitivity is one of the most important reasons why you should start fasting. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that helps the body metabolize sugar from food.

When you eat a meal, the levels of insulin in the blood rise to metabolize the sugar from food. Fasting for a certain period can improve insulin sensitivity as it causes blood sugar levels to drop.

After eating a meal, the levels of insulin in the blood rise to metabolize the sugar from the food. Constantly having spiked levels of insulin in your blood might contribute to making it harder to remove all the sugar from the bloodstream, or what is called insulin resistance.

This creates an environment in the body where sugar is not being metabolized properly, which can lead to diabetes or other health issues.

4. Fasting Improves Digestion and Elimination

Fasting has been shown to improve digestion and the overall elimination of waste from the body. When you are fasting, your stomach produces less acid and digestive enzymes that help to break down food and extract nutrients from it.

When your digestive system is not occupied, it allows the body to focus on healing and recovering from infections or illnesses. The body can heal faster when there is less work and effort involved in digesting food.

During fasting, your immune system can focus on healing, repairing and renewing your body cells. When your immune system is working at its optimal level, it can identify and fight infections and diseases more efficiently.

Fasting can also reduce feelings of cravings, overeating and sugar cravings that are often caused by an unhealthy gut. When your gut is not working as it should, you are more likely to crave sugary, high-carbohydrate and high-fat foods.

While fasting, your body can heal and repair your gut, which helps to reduce cravings and overeating.

5. Fasting Helps to Strengthen the Immune System

When you are fasting, your body goes into a state of ketosis, which is when your body burns fat as a primary source of fuel instead of carbohydrates. Your body uses the fat for energy, releases hormones and breaks down toxins.

As it breaks down, old cells are broken down and recycled to create new cells. Studies have shown that fasting for 24 hours can increase the number of white blood cells in the body, which strengthens the immune system and helps it fight infections and diseases.

White blood cells are the cells that fight infections and disease-causing pathogens in the body. For the white blood cells to be effective, there needs to be a sufficient number of them in the body.

Studies have shown that fasting every once in a while can help to increase the number of white blood cells in the body, which means your immune system is stronger and more effective at fighting infections.

As your immune system is stronger and more efficient, it is easier for your body to fight infections and diseases, leaving you less vulnerable to infections.

6. Fasting Promotes Human Growth Hormone Production

Human growth hormone is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body during childhood and adolescence, but production decreases as we age. When you start aging, the levels of growth hormone in your body start to decline, which can lead to weight gain and other health issues.

Fasting for a certain period can help boost the production of growth hormone in the body, which is especially helpful for people who suffer from low levels of growth hormone.

Human growth hormone plays an important role in many functions in the body, such as regulating metabolism and keeping the muscles and bones strong. The immune system is closely tied to human growth hormone, and fasting has been shown to increase the production of this hormone.

Human growth hormone helps to protect the immune system by making it stronger and boosting its function. When the immune system is stronger, it is easier for the body to fight infections and diseases.

HGH also plays an important role in repairing and regenerating cells, which is crucial when the body is healing and recovering from previous illnesses. Studies have shown that fasting can increase the production of human growth hormones in the body.

When fasting, the body signals to the pituitary gland to produce more human growth hormones. Fasting for growth hormone production is more effective when you also perform resistance training or exercise during the fasting period.

7. Fasting Heals the Gut

Fasting to heal the gut is one of the health benefits of fasting. When you consume food, your digestive system breaks it down into smaller particles, so that the nutrients and water can be absorbed into your body cells.

When you fast, the intake of food and drinks is stopped, which causes the digestive system to go into “rest and repair” mode. This slows down the process of digestion and gives the gut cells the nutrients they need to repair and heal.

Fasting for longer periods can also help you overcome food “sensitivities” or “allergies” that are commonly caused by “leaky gut syndrome”. Leaky gut syndrome is a condition where the walls of your gut break down and becomes “leaky”.

This allows toxins and bacteria that are usually kept inside the gut to enter the bloodstream and lead to a variety of health issues.

8. Fasting Improves Mental Health

Although it is commonly associated with physical benefits, fasting can also have a positive effect on mental health. It triggers a process called “autophagy” which means cells inside your body break down and clean any toxic substances.

Therefore, fasting helps clean the brain and boost mental performance by removing harmful toxins that are commonly linked to mental health issues. Fasting for a certain period also promotes a feeling of “oneness” or “connection with the universe.”

This can lead to a “sense of clarity” and reduced anxiety levels. This is particularly helpful for people who suffer from anxiety or panic attacks triggered by high levels of “cortisol”, a hormone that is released in the body when it is stressed.

3 Simple Steps to Fast the Right Way

Fasting is an age-old tradition that has been used as a cleansing ritual and healing technique by many cultures. It helps the body to cleanse itself of toxins, and it also has numerous other benefits.

But when we think of fasting, we tend to imagine going hungry for extended periods of time. That’s why most people shy away from it! However, there are many ways you can fast in a safe way and get excellent results.

Fasting properly means abstaining from food for a brief period. This is done to trigger the release of stress hormones that have beneficial effects on our bodies – this is known as “intermittent fasting”.

There are various ways to fast which you can use according to your own schedule and needs. Here are 3 simple steps on how you can get started with intermittent fasting:

Step 1: Decide on a fasting window

You can fast for 16 hours, 20 hours, 24 hours or even 36 hours. The best time period for you will depend on your schedule, lifestyle and individual needs. Fasting for 16 hours will allow you to skip breakfast but still eat lunch and dinner, for example.

Fasting for 20 hours means not eating for 2 whole days each week. Additionally, fasting for 24 hours once per month is believed to be effective in preventing illnesses, especially if you do it during the autumn season when flu and colds are prevalent.

Further, fasting for 36 hours means you will be fasting for 2 days. This length of fasting is the best if you want to lose weight. It is also believed that fasting for 36 hours will improve your metabolism.

Fast for 16 hours each day.

This is the most popular form of fasting. This type of fasting involves going without food and drink for 16 hours each day. This means skipping breakfast, and then eating lunch and dinner within an 8-hour period.

The idea behind this type of fasting is that your body will be “empty” for 16 hours each day, which will allow your body to do a variety of things. Your body needs time to repair itself and to get rid of toxins.

When you eat food, it takes time for your body to digest that food and turn it into energy. When you fast, you are giving your body a break from constantly having to digest food. This will allow your body to perform important functions.

Step 2: Plan your meals for the day

This might seem counterintuitive, but when you’re fasting you need to be eating a healthy diet full of nutritious foods. You don’t want to put your body through extreme hunger when you’re fasting!

Instead, you want to feed your body so that it doesn’t experience significant negative effects from the fasting. When you’re fasting, it’s important to be eating a healthy diet full of nutritious foods.

Even though you’re fasting, you’re still burning calories. You need to eat foods that will provide your body with the energy it needs to function properly.

If you’re not careful, you could actually end up slowing down your metabolism by not eating enough nutritious foods when you’re fasting!

Eat a healthy, well-balanced meal during the 8 hours you have decided to eat.

This type of fasting means that you will only eat during an 8-hour period each day, which means that you will be fasting for 16 hours every day. It is also very effective for people who are interested in losing weight.

Additionally, this type of fasting is recommended for those who are new to fasting and want to see the effects that it can have on the body. Further, this type of fasting is also recommended for those who are interested in improving their mental health and mood.

Step 3: Stick to your plan!

This is the most important step, especially if you have a tendency to be the impulsive type. When you’re fasting, you’re going to be very hungry. You might be tempted to break your fasting schedule.

However, keep in mind that you’re not actually “starving” yourself when you’re fasting. You’re actually giving your body a break from constant eating and a chance to cleanse and repair itself.

The trick to fasting properly is to be patient and to resist the urge to “cheat” on your diet. The hunger pangs will subside eventually, and you will be able to continue fasting without facing significant health risks.

You can also use various tips and tricks to keep your mind off the hunger pangs so you can continue fasting without a problem.

4 Simple Steps To Get Started With Intermittent Fasting:

1. If you’re just starting, start small.

If you’re a beginner at fasting, start small. Begin with a 10-hour window, and then build up your fasting time as you go along. If you’re just starting with intermittent fasting, take it easy on yourself. You’ll need to educate yourself on how to do it right and give it some time.

2. Don’t go hungry! Have a Nutrition Packed Smoothie Instead.

Don’t go hungry. If you’re just starting out with intermittent fasting, take it easy on yourself. You don’t have to go without food if you’re hungry. Instead, have a nutritious smoothie.

Fasting means abstaining from all foods, but hunger is not something you want to experience while fasting. If you’re just starting out, you can have a nutritious smoothie that will hold you down until you are ready to break your fast with a meal.

3. Decide on your goals and fast accordingly.

If you’re fasting for weight loss, you can start your day with a 16/8 fast. This means you’ll stop eating at 8 in the evening, and you won’t eat again until noon the next day.

This fast is good because it’s long enough to kick-start your fat metabolism, but it’s not so long that you feel hungry all the time. If you’re fasting to get better sleep, try skipping late dinners.

This will help you break the habit of eating dinner too close to bed time, which can ruin your sleep.

4. Eat Nutritious Meals During the Window of Time You Have Decided to Break Your Intermittent Fasting

When you break your fast, make sure you eat healthy, nutritious meals. If you’re fasting for weight loss, you can break your fast with a healthy and nutritious meal like a smoothie made from whole, organic, raw, foods.

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water, too. Fasting is not about starving yourself to lose weight. It’s about abstaining from food on a certain schedule to trigger the release of hormones that have beneficial effects on the body. 

Fasting before bed is a good choice if you want to improve your sleep, but you need to break the fast with a healthy and filling meal to avoid making the problem worse.

How to fast safely and effectively

As long as you follow the tips we’ve outlined, you shouldn’t have any significant health problems while fasting. However, if you have certain health conditions, it’s important to consult with your doctor before beginning any kind of fasting routine.

Fasting is not meant for everyone. If you’re underweight, diabetic or pregnant, fasting is not recommended. If you’re unsure whether fasting is right for you, consult with your doctor.

There are different types of fasting such as alternate day fasting, time restricted fasting and sunrise fasting. Choose the type of fasting that works best for you and your needs.

4 Easy Ways to Fast Right Now

  • Skip breakfast
  • Have a Nutrition packed smoothie for Lunch. 
  • Eat one meal per day preferably dinner, 80% raw, organic, whole foods. 
  • Create a cleanse with a juice cleanse.

Bottom line

When you are fasting, your body goes into a state of repair, which is why it is important to consume plenty of clean water and nutrient dense foods.

When you are fasting, your body can repair and regenerate cells, and remove toxins and harmful substances that can cause disease and infections. This makes the immune system stronger, more efficient and more effective at fighting infections and diseases.

Fasting can help to boost your immunity and protect you against infections and diseases. When your immune system is stronger and more efficient, it is easier for your body to fight infections and diseases, leaving you less vulnerable to infections during the colder months and throughout the year.

Fasting is not about starving yourself to lose weight. It’s about abstaining from food on a certain schedule to trigger the release of hormones that have beneficial effects on the body. If you want to improve your health, try fasting.

It’s known as a highly effective way to boost your immune system, aid weight loss, reduce stress, and improve your focus. If you want to reap the benefits of intermittent fasting, you need to know how to do it properly.

Start small and don’t go hungry. You can break your fast with a nutritious smoothie. Make sure you eat healthy, whole, organic meals during the window of time you have decided to break your intermittent fasting.

To reap these benefits of fasting, it’s important to fast in a healthy way and avoid extreme fasting regimens. Fasting is not meant for everyone.

If you have certain health conditions, it’s best to consult with your doctor before beginning any kind of fasting routine. There are many ways you can fast, but it’s important to do it in a safe way.

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References:

Hannan, Md. A., Rahman, Md. A., Rahman, M. S., Sohag, A. A. M., Dash, R., Hossain, K. S., Farjana, M., & Uddin, M. J. (2020). Intermittent fasting, a possible priming tool for host defense against SARS-CoV-2 infection: Crosstalk among calorie restriction, autophagy and immune response. Immunology Letters226, 38–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imlet.2020.07.001

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