Fasting can do wonders for your health. In fact, fasting share similar benefits of calorie restriction diets: longer longevity, brain protection, increased insulin sensitivity, stronger resistance to stress, hormone regulation, increased mental clarity and more. Frequent mini fasts can improve metabolic syndrome markers and lower risks of cardiovascular diseases. But fasting isn’t for everyone. It’s a tool that should be used to give a little boost in an already healthy lifestyle. If your lifestyle isn’t the best, don’t think about trying fasting. It won’t solve the problem, and could possibly worsen your situation. If you feel “intoxicated” and looking for a good detox solution, fasting might not be the best option. Instead, focus on avoiding processed foods, implementing and sticking to a good exercise regiment, developing strategies against stress, reducing your overall toxins exposure and working on your emotional issues. And if all this is already in place and you’d like to push things a bit more, then you can give fasting a try.
A word of caution
Go slowly and listen to your body. The kind of fasting I’m talking about here are mini fasts of a day or half a day, not weeklong fasts. Drink plenty of pure water during your day, and remember to break your fast if you are truly hungry or feel stressed, weak or lightheaded. Always be aware of what your body is telling you.
Should you try fasting?
- Do you have a good diet already?
- Are you physically, mentally and emotionally healthy?
- Do you live a stress-free lifestyle?
If you answered no to one of the three questions above, you might want to wait to resolve those issues before trying to fast.