Using A Water Fasting Diet For Water Fasting Weight LossFasting Blood Glucose LevelThe water fasting diet is controversial. Most diets are fasts of some kind. Here’s a look at the history, the controversy, the risks and the benefits. History And Controversy Of FastingA fast may be the restricted intake of all foods and beverages or only certain foods and beverages. Fasts are an important part of many religions. They have been used historically for the treatment of illness and disease.The controversy surrounds unsupervised fasts used for weight loss. According to historians, William the Conqueror was the first to fast strictly for that purpose. His “bulk” made it difficult for him to ride his horse. Fasts became very popular during the 1970s as a result of several books on the subject. Models (then and now) have used extra-low calorie diets to maintain their physiques. According to some insider stories, models have extra-low energy levels as a result of dieting excessively. In order to compensate for the lack of energy, they use caffeine, cigarettes and other stimulants. That increases their risk of heart failure, stroke and sudden death.
Risks And Benefits Of FastingScientists have studied the risks and benefits of water fasting weight loss and other very low calorie diets. The negative side effects of fasts lasting longer than a day or two include bone and muscle loss. Depression and irritability may also occur.On the other hand, there may be a number of benefits, particularly for someone that is obese. First, the body begins to use stored fat for energy. This occurs during the first 12-24 hours of the fast, once all of the circulating glucose has been used by the cells. You may have heard the medical term “fasting blood glucose level”. Eating anything causes an increase in blood glucose levels. Certain foods (simple carbohydrates) cause spikes in blood glucose levels. The spikes cause a cascade of events within the body that can lead to the production of molecules called AGEs (advanced glycation end-products). As the name suggests AGEs age the organs and cells of the body. One of the benefits of a short (one or two days) water fasting diet has to do with repairing the damage done by AGEs and other toxic molecules. When there is no food in the digestive system, energy is directed to other bodily functions. For example, immune system functions increase during fasts. In other words, more healing occurs. During illnesses such as influenza, decreased appetite is naturally present. The immune system wants all of the bodily resources to be directed at fighting the virus. To sum it up, a water fasting diet can be a positive thing in terms of your overall health and fitness. However, extra care should be taken when only fasting with water.
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