Is Fasting Good For You?

Fasting is usually associated with political protests, religious rituals and fad diets (that doctors are usually not endorsing). New evidence from cardiac researchers shows that routine periodic fasting may actually be good for your health after all.

Previous research has revealed fasting to lower one’s risk of coronary artery disease and diabetes by lowering blood cholesterol levels. The new research, conducted at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute, shows fasting was also able to reduce additional cardiac risk factors, like triglycerides, weight and blood sugar levels.

Because fasting causes hunger, a form of stress, the body releases more cholesterol. This allows the body to utilize fat as fuel instead of glucose. Resultantly, fat cells decrease and the body is less likely to experience insulin resistance.

But don’t start skipping meals yet! Although the results of the research are surprisingly positive, more research is necessary to fully determine the effects of fasting on our overall health. Maybe one day fasting will be prescribed to patients at risk for diabetes and coronary heart disease.