is fasting healthy

Apr 25
2022

What Happens to Your Body When You Fast | Doctor Explains Health Benefits of Ramadan 🌙

What happens to our body when we fast? In today’s episode of Dr Nora, I take you through some of the changes that occur when we fast for periods of time and the benefits to the body.

Fasting is performed by many people around the globe. Each year billions of people observe the holy month of Ramadan which means fasting from sunrise to sunset. During this time no food or water is permitted. Others fast for health purposes, such as those undertaking intermittent fasting. But why are so many people fasting and what are the health benefits?

To understand this better, we need to be aware of what happens to food that we eat. When we eat, food is broken down and nutrients are absorbed. Glucose is produced which is our main energy store for functioning. When we fast, a number of changes occur over time.

0-4 HOURS - ANABOLIC PHASE

During this time, our body is still relying on the energy source from our last meal. It is using glucose to keep us functioning as well as other essential nutrients. The glucose can be used as an immediate energy source, or it can help with protein synthesis in muscles, or it can be stored for later use either short term or long term. It is called the anabolic phase because this is a period of growth as nutrients are available to the body.

4-16 HOURS - CATABOLIC PHASE

During this time, the body has now utilised its available source of glucose and signals are released to start breaking down stored glucose, otherwise known as glycogen. Interestingly, during fasting, our basal metabolic rate (which is the amount of energy our body burns whilst resting) drops and so we become more efficient as utilising energy. An impact of this is that our heart rate and blood pressure drop.

12 HOURS - GROWTH HORMONE

At around the 12 hour mark of fasting, a special hormone is released, called growth hormone. This is also released during exercise. Growth hormone is our main fat burning hormone. It also has a number of other special properties, such as anti-ageing as it thickens the skin, it also helps to heal joints, helps the production of protein, repairs cells and stimulates the immune system. It is also involved in our learning and memory.

KETOSIS

Towards the end of this time, once glycogen stores have started to deplete, and this can occur faster if you are exercising for example, the body no longer has access to glucose. So the liver releases a chemical known at Ketones which become the main energy source. During this stage the body goes into ketosis. This is the ideal stage for weight loss and balancing out sugar levels.

18 HOURS - AUTOPHAGY

If all of these changes weren’t enough, around 18 hours of fasting, a process known as autophagy occurs. As we live and age, our cells in our body become damaged or die. Autophagy is a process whereby these cells are marked and cleansed and recycled, putting these valuable nutrients elsewhere. Autophagy is essential for healthy functioning cells.

Of course, not everyone can fast and it is important that if you are considering fasting that you seek medical advice from your own doctor to check your suitability first.

COMPANION VIDEOS

How To Fast Healthy: https://youtu.be/5Dy0IOQ20sc

Healthy Ramadan: https://youtu.be/3rPpHddZFfA

Healthy Ramadan Foods: https://youtu.be/VuZ6GgVmR0s

How To Quit Smoking: https://youtu.be/GdsLfMhK2GU

How To Sleep Well: https://youtu.be/KGCG-J21rtc

Tired All the Time: https://youtu.be/Zc0nXwC6RNw

FODMAP Diet: https://youtu.be/Xi9TjiisSmc

Take care and stay healthy 😊

Dr Nora 💉

CHAPTERS

0:14 Introduction