Fasting to Lose Weight

Probably one of the most googled terms on the Internet is 'Weight Loss'! Out of the various ways in which you can achieve weight loss, fasting is one. One thing that should be understood about fasting for weight loss, is that it's not starvation! Rather it shouldn't go to the point of starvation.

About Fasting & Weight Loss

Fasting in the absolute sense is stopping food or liquid intake after assimilation of a previous meal for a prolonged period of time. Alternatively fasting can mean a restricted and selective input of food which is just about adequate to sustain basic metabolism. Fasting has religious significance in most faiths and many people periodically undergo strict fasting as part of devotion to their faith. Whatever, be the reason, one should understand what are the effects of fasting on the body and risks, before going ahead.

Glucose is the primary source of energy for our body. For proper functioning of the body and its vital organs, it is essential that normal blood glucose levels be maintained. When one begins strict fasting, the blood glucose levels go down and body derives energy from the stored form of glucose, which is called glycogen, through glycogenolysis . This generally happens after 4 to 8 hours of glucose deprivation. As time progresses, protein and fats (in the form of ketones) are utilized to derive energy. So fasting does work, if it's carried out without depriving the body of all the essential nutrients and glucose levels needed for normal brain functioning.

The longer you deprive yourself of food, the weaker you become. It is generally advisable that you stop fasting before the glucose deprivation becomes extreme. If the necessary nutrients are not supplied to the body, then starvation sets in, leading to problems like fainting, electrolytic imbalance, cardiac arrhythmia and even renal failure. So fasting should be undertaken only for short periods in which it has a detoxifying effect on the body. Regular fasting which includes limited dietary intake, for short durations can help reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance and immune disorders. Extreme fasting should be only undertaken for very short periods of time. Pregnant women, people with heart disorders and ones affected with diabetes should avoid fasting for long periods of time.

Fasting Types For Losing Weight

So fasting can help in weight loss, detoxification and also help in prolonging lifespan as some recent studies have suggested. Here are some restricted fasting methods that can help in weight loss and provide many health benefits.

Juice Fasting For Weight Loss
Juice fasting is undertaken by many people. It is basically surviving on fruit and vegetable juice intake. It's powering your body, thorough easily digestible and assimilated fruits. Fruit fasting is another popular dietary regimen followed by many people which includes whole fruits instead of just juices. Make sure that you have supplements of other nutrients, vitamins and minerals while going through this kind of fasting. It is an excellent way to detox the body and lose weight.

Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting is another way of fasting. It involves restricting fasting to a few hours a day or alternate days while drinking only water. This assists in weight loss, while also effectively detoxifying the body. However, consult a doctor before going for such a fasting program to lose weight.

Caloric Restriction
This method works by restricting oneself to an intake of basic minimum amount of calories required for normal functioning. One avoids excess consumption of calories which are more than necessary. Besides weight loss and reduction of blood cholesterol, this method is known to prolong the lifespan of a human being.

Consult a nutritionist and your personal physician (who knows your medical history), before deciding to start fasting. Personally, I feel that restricted caloric intake, which does not compromise on the basic level of nutrition required by the body, is the best option among all the various fasting options to lose weight!