For many people, it's just another weight-loss trend. But they couldn't be more wrong! Anyone who takes a closer look at the topic will quickly realize: Fasting is about far more than just… Weight loss.
From an evolutionary biology perspective, fasting is just as much a part of life as eating. It's a sensible principle, because deprivation of food triggers healing processes in the body.
According to the German Nutrition Society (DGE) There are partially beneficial effects for the following diseases:
- Metabolic syndrome
- Chronic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases and pain conditions
- Atopic diseases
- Psychosomatic illnesses 1
But what exactly happens in the body during fasting? When food intake ceases, the body resorts to stored carbohydrates for energy. This includes glycogen in the liver and muscles, which serves as fuel. Sugar (glucose) The body breaks down the sugar reserves. Then, fat stores are tapped. In this process, fatty acids are broken down into so-called ketones. This means the entire body switches from sugar metabolism to fat metabolism and meets its energy needs without external intake.
According to studies, fasting is said to have a regenerative effect, normalize metabolic disorders, improve blood lipid levels and blood pressure, inhibit inflammation and the body's own self-cleaning process. (“Autophagy”) stimulate.
Fasting is defined as the voluntary abstinence from solid food and stimulants for a limited time. Fasting does not mean starving , proponents emphasize. Quite the opposite: the body should recover. Those who fast correctly experience good performance without feeling hungry.
Various fasting methods
There are various Fasting methods vary in duration and execution. Here are a few to give you an overview.
Therapeutic fasting according to Buchinger: The traditional Buchinger method eliminates all solid food from the diet and relies on consistent fluid intake. It is the most widely used method. Fasting method. It is a tried and tested and popular fasting method, on which the I·DO Body & Mind fasting program is also based. based.
During alkaline fasting, the body is supplied only with alkaline substances (high pH value, i.e., low acidity). These include primarily natural products such as vegetables, salad, fruit, and legumes. A complete abstinence from solid food is not required. Those fasting alkaline should consume at least three liters of water per day. A person fasting can lose over three kilograms in a week.
This fasting regimen allows up to 700 calories a day, consumed through fat-free, low-salt food. The multi-week diet is particularly known for its water-fluctuating intake. A dry day with very little water is also included. (at most) 1 liter) is followed by a day of drinking plenty of water. (3 Liters). The Schroth cure is not recommended for people who dehydrate easily.
Intermittent fasting involves alternating periods of normal food intake with periods of fasting. The exact rhythm can vary depending on the specific approach. Often, however, fasting occurs every other day or one day per week.
Those who fast on whey consume only whey and other liquids such as mineral water and fruit juices, abstaining from other food sources.
The Juice fasting refers to a special form of the so-called Therapeutic fasting . During this time, only up to 1.5 liters of freshly pressed juice are consumed over a limited period. Fruit- and vegetable juices , in addition Water and tea It is drunk. This is supposed to stimulate the metabolism and bring the body into a natural acid-base balance. Many people also use juice fasting as a way to start a dietary change.
