Intermittent Fasting is a trend among fitness enthusiasts for a long time now, but the true origin of fasting goes back to the ancient times of civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans and the Egyptians. Besides its historical traditions, fasting attracts people for its health benefits like body detoxification and immune system enhancement. Others will even be able to fast for long periods for the benefit of getting metabolic advantages such as improved insulin sensitivity and cellular health. However, what actually happens when someone stops eating for a whole week is less known. A recent research article has illuminated this strange issue.
Being Aware of the Outcomes of a 7-Day Fast
As a part of the study published in Nature Metabolism, we aimed at studying both the positive and negative effects of the 7-day fasting protocol to evaluate its clinical potential as therapeutic intervention. Twelve healthy volunteers were among those who only drank water during the fasting period. As expected, one of the immediate reactions of the organism was the shift from using glucose into fat as the main energy source. In a period of only three days, participants lost an average of 12 pounds of body mass.
Nevertheless, the greatest shock was that body mass was recuperated at a rapid pace after the fast. Even though the body weight was restored within three days after the normal eating habits were resumed, the loss of body fat persisted. It indicates a possible steady effect of fasting for effective weight management.
Not only did the study show the changes in protein content arising from fasting, but it was further observed that fasting enhance expressions of some specific proteins, particularly those that support the structure of neurons in the brain. Though the indications of these protein modifications for just these areas are currently only assumed, the researchers also discovered the potent application of such proteins for many diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease.
Guidance from this report mostly imparted that more exploration is still required for a thorough understanding of the effects of fasting as well as to determine the most effective fasting longevities. Above all, it was hypothesized that that, after a period of fasting, cellular responses went beyond specific energy adaptation, thus offering therapeutic insights that might be beneficial.
Considerations and Precautions
Moreover, it points out the necessity of exercising great care in situations when the idea of lengthened fasting surgery comes to mind. It recommended not to do such intensive dietary experimentations without a supervising doctor because there were potential risks, such as electrolyte imbalance and deficiency of nutrients. Speaking with a health care provider before initiating a plan of fasting is highly recommended.
In the final part, we have demonstrated that a short-term fasting lasting for seven days may contribute to the general metabolism and therapeutic improvement, but it is very important to take this practice with caution and under medical control. However, in depth scientific researches must be done in future to uncover the impacts of fasting for long-term and then to establish its success or infelicity as a therapeutic treatment.
