For dieters, fasting may be the trendiest–and fastest–way to shed those pesky holiday pounds.
Now researchers say there’s an even more important reason to fast: It could fight diabetes, cancer, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
A new meta-analysis published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the USA cites research which shows fasting helps break down fat and repair cells–something which they believe can reverse the aging process.
“For many of our ancestors, food was scarce and primarily consumed during daylight hours, leaving long hours of overnight fasting,” say researchers. “With the advent of affordable artificial lighting and industrialization, modern humans began to experience prolonged hours of illumination every day and resultant extended consumption of food.”
The authors, which include researchers from the National Institute of Aging in Baltimore and Harvard Medical School, surveyed over 80 studies which looked at meal timings, food volume, and the impact it had on human health, something not yet explored extensively. Looking through the data, they say that those who eat three meals a day are actually eating abnormally–and instead, fasting for brief periods of time is a more natural way of eating.
Better yet, researchers say that adopting the “natural” way of eating could also improve a person’s health.
“There are many myths and assumptions concerning diet and eating patterns, including the belief that a healthy lifestyle should involve three square meals, plus snacks, every day,” says Dr. Michelle Harvie, a research dietitian at Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention. “However, this common eating pattern is in fact abnormal from an evolutionary perspective. Emerging studies suggest that intermittent periods of energy restriction can in fact improve health and even counteract disease processes, such as the development of breast cancer.”
In turn, researchers recommend that fasting should become integrated into standard health care policies–though doing so will be no easy task. Despite limitless evidence, fasting continues to be a controversial issue, though researchers emphasize that it is both natural and safe.
“As more research is done into the relationship between meal frequency and health, it’s important that these eating patterns are incorporated into standard health care policies and that the general population knows how to adapt their diets and lifestyles appropriately,” says Harvie.
What This Means For You
To eat more naturally–and to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, or diabetes–the answer may lie in reversing the aging process of your cells, which may prevent diseases from even forming. Luckily, researchers say you can do that by practicing fasting, something you can practice on a daily or weekly basis.
And yes–it can help you slim down too!
Readers: Have you ever tried fasting to lose weight before?
Source:
The 5:2 Diet Helps Beat Cancer and Alzheimer’s, Study Finds – Telegraph.co.uk
The 5:2 Fasting Diet Helps Beat Cancer and Alzheimer’s, Allege Researchers – TheAge.com.au
Remember When We All Thought Intermittent Fasting Was a Weird Diet Fad? – BlissTree.com
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