Yes, that’s right! Fasting does reverse ageing. When we fast we give the body a chance to rejuvenate, repair and rebuild. Digestion over-rules other jobs in the body, so therefore if we are constantly eating 3 meals a day plus snacks, the body does not get a chance to rejuvenate, repair and rebuild.
Fasting can range from simply skipping a meal, to intermittent fasting (which I wrote about 2 weeks ago on my blog), fasting for 24 hours or perhaps even a 3-40 day water or juice fast. All forms of fasting give the body a chance to repair and rebuild.
I want to continue on and add more value to my previous post from 2 weeks ago, about Intermittent Fasting. If you have not seen the BBC show Eat, Fast and Live Longer, please watch it. It gives you a visual about what happens to the body when we fast, be it for a short time, a long time or alternate days. If you would prefer the words, instead of the video here is the link.
With Winter here, it is important to consider the benefit of fasting for our immune systems. Fasting actually boosts our immune system! According to Dr Mercola, after 3 days of fasting your body can regenerate an entire new immune system because it triggers the body to start producing new white blood cells (the guys that fight infection!). However, fasting from lunch on Monday to lunch on Tuesday would also boost your immune system. Just ensure that you are drinking at least 3 litres of water while fasting, to assist in flushing toxins out.
For those of you who began my challenge to intermittently fast 2 weeks ago, I would love to know how you are finding the process? I feel it is important to clarify the best time to intermittently fast. From 6pm (or after an early dinner) till 10am/11am the following morning is ideal. This not only improves our sleep because our body can focus on resting rather than digesting, but it also assists our body to regenerate and properly eliminate. Our body is in the elimination phase up until midday of each day. By eating first thing in the morning we are hindering this elimination process, where our body is cleansing and getting rid of unwanted matter.
Fasting, both intermittently, on alternate days and also for longer periods has numerous benefits for the body. Did you know that the lifespan of individuals extended during The Depression of the 1930’s, despite people having to eat less? Calorie restriction is the only thing that significantly extends life in mammals. Other benefits include:
Boosting your immune system
Regenerating your body giving your liver, for example, some time to do it’s job..DETOX! (It is the largest detoxifying organ in our body)
Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1) levels decrease during fasting, however also stay down for a period of time once returning to normal eating. This assists in lowering your risk of colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer
Gives your digestive system a chance to repair
Gives your eliminatory system a chance to excrete old matter that can build up on the lining of your colon over time (Elimination/Cleansing is greatly enhanced if you are incorporating enemas and specific colon cleanse ingredients into your fast. Please ask me for more details about this if you would like to know more? Water, deep breaths and movement (eg.walking) greatly assist also!)
It improves your body’s ability to better utilise the food eaten, when you transition back to food
Weight loss occurs due to the body being able to burn up stored fat and toxins
The body’s production of growth hormones increase after a fast, this stimulates greater muscle growth and higher fat metabolism
Why not give it a go?! Listen to your body and start on a day that you feel prepared and able to rest, walk, get in to the sun, etc. Or perhaps you’d like to try fasting for a day with a friend?
I’d love to know if you have tried it before or if you a willing to give it a go?
Have a beautiful day
Janelle