Fasting for Weight Loss – Why it’s not a Good Practice

November 30, 2011 by  
Filed under Fastest Weight Loss

The debate on whether you should fast or not has been raging since ages. Fasting has a number of advocates, as well as nay sayers. But before you delve into the debate, it is important to know what exactly is fasting.

Some people believe that giving up on your favorite food is fasting, while others believe that skipping one meal a day is fasting. Some say that fasting means not eating anything for one entire day, or simply not taking in any solid food.

However, researchers define fasting as not eating anything for twenty four hours, and taking in no liquid with the exception of water. Advocates of fasting say that fasting gives the overworked body a rest from digesting food daily, as well it helps cleanse your body.

However, this theory has a number of loopholes. Firstly, the body does not need rest from digestion. It has been created to digest food; hence there is no need to skip meals. If a person eats healthy food, then the body will not be overworked in the first place. A person should eat well balanced meals at regular intervals to ensure that the body has enough energy to carry on all its functions properly.

Experts say that when a person starts fasting suddenly, the body undergoes a shock. The glucose level of the body decreases by 50 percent within a span of twenty four hours and stresses the body out. This leads to glucose depletion, which leads to reduction of energy levels.

If you fast for more than two days at a stretch, the body gets confused, and goes into a trance like state. It is not safe to fast for three days without any supervision. After you have fasted for around ten to twelve hours, the body starts using the glucose that is stored in the body. When the glucose supply gets over, it starts breaking down protein.

If you wish to lose weight, then instead of stressing out your body, you should reduce the number of calories you consume daily. Incorporate raw vegetables and fruits in your daily diet, and you will definitely lose weight in a healthy manner.

Fasting also reduces the levels of calcium in the body. The long term effect of fasting is reduction in bone density and calcium depletion. This has a very negative effect on the young as well as the elderly. When you are in the age group of 18 to 20, your body is still growing and building muscles, bones as well as the brain cells. Hence, the body needs food regularly. If you are in the age group of forty and above, fasting can have negative impact on your health.

Hence it is advisable to lose weight through exercising and adopting a healthy lifestyle. Fad diets and fasting never have any positive effects, and should be strictly avoided. So eat well balanced meals, reduce your calorie intake slowly, exercise daily and lose weight in a healthy manner.

Be Sociable, Share!