Credits: Social Media
Expert explains ‘dangers’ of fasting and says three types of people who should never attempt it
Fasting for faith has been a common practice around the world and there are numerous health benefits associated with it. However, a specialist in intermittent fasting says certain people should avoid skipping meals or water as it can pose dangers to their overall health.
While Christians concluded weeks of fasting on Easter last week, Muslims worldwide will continue to observe it until Ramadan.
Doctor explains why fasting can be dangerous to three types of people
Nephrologist Dr. Jason Fung was featured in the recent episode of The Food Chain by BBC, where he spoke at length about the benefits and dangers of fasting.
He said fasting is a part of our daily lives as we tend to use a gap between different meals. Whenever we consume any food, our body stores the calories to use later when we aren’t eating. There’s a part of the day when we eat and the rest of the time when the body uses the stored energy.
When asked if any dangers could emerge from fasting for a prolonged period, the doctor explained that some people will have to be particularly careful owing to their health condition.
Dr. Jason Fung says you must not attempt fasting if you’re underweight or if you’re severely malnourished. “People who are anorexic or have very low body mass index don’t have the storage body fat to sustain themselves.”
He also warned people with pre-existing health issues who are on medications as they are recommended specific diets and any changes in your food intake can cause fluctuation in the blood glucose. Dr. Jason Fung suggests checking with your doctor before indulging in fasting if you have any health issues.
Other health benefits of intermittent fasting
Intermittent fasting means not eating for a certain period each day or week. The specialist says there are numerous benefits to it.
Fasting reportedly improves levels of hunger hormones by activating a “self-cleaning” mode called “autophagy”, which triggers the body to use up the stored waste and replace damaged cells with new ones.
Another benefit of taking a break from eating regulates blood sugar and insulin. Even if you can’t ensure what you’re eating is fully healthy, just monitoring when you eat will automatically get insulin down.
Furthermore, fasting is believed to help in weight loss, boost cognitive performance, and improve overall fitness.
