A new study undertaken by researchers at the Intermountain Medical Centre's Heart Institute in Utah has found that regular fasting reduces the risk of both diabetes and heart disease. Utah has a particularly large Mormon population, which made this an ideal location for the study - Mormons traditionally fast at least once a month, and this appears to be translating into tangible long-term health benefits.
According to researcher Dr Benjamin Horne, the fall in the number of people smoking has led to reduced rates of cardiac mortality in most US states, but the rate in Utah was considerably lower still. Obviously, Mormons are not the only religious group that fast, but the regularity with which they do so is very much atypical.
The study's conclusions are simple. When people fast, their bodies are forced to burn fat as a source of energy, which lowers the total number of fat cells present. That means cholesterol levels are reduced, and insulin sensitivity is increased (meaning a lower risk of diabetes).
This research has its roots in a 2007 study, which established a link between fasting and a decreased risk of heart disease. Researchers now claim to have found evidence that fasting can have a favourable impact on body weight in addition to blood sugar and triglyceride levels. Nevertheless, there remains a lack of research into the health benefits of fasting, and doctors are keen to explore this area further. They are especially interested in finding out whether fasting might be advantageous for people already suffering from heart disease or diabetes.
Notwithstanding the optimistic messages about fasting that have come out of this research, it's critical to be conscious of the fact that fasting comes with its own risks - it can actually be unsafe in many circumstances. If you want to safeguard your health in later life, there are plenty of other, better-researched steps you can take. If you are thinking about fasting at all, it's imperative that you discuss this with your doctor before proceeding.
According to researcher Dr Benjamin Horne, the fall in the number of people smoking has led to reduced rates of cardiac mortality in most US states, but the rate in Utah was considerably lower still. Obviously, Mormons are not the only religious group that fast, but the regularity with which they do so is very much atypical.
The study's conclusions are simple. When people fast, their bodies are forced to burn fat as a source of energy, which lowers the total number of fat cells present. That means cholesterol levels are reduced, and insulin sensitivity is increased (meaning a lower risk of diabetes).
This research has its roots in a 2007 study, which established a link between fasting and a decreased risk of heart disease. Researchers now claim to have found evidence that fasting can have a favourable impact on body weight in addition to blood sugar and triglyceride levels. Nevertheless, there remains a lack of research into the health benefits of fasting, and doctors are keen to explore this area further. They are especially interested in finding out whether fasting might be advantageous for people already suffering from heart disease or diabetes.
Notwithstanding the optimistic messages about fasting that have come out of this research, it's critical to be conscious of the fact that fasting comes with its own risks - it can actually be unsafe in many circumstances. If you want to safeguard your health in later life, there are plenty of other, better-researched steps you can take. If you are thinking about fasting at all, it's imperative that you discuss this with your doctor before proceeding.
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