STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy Review Article

Fasting as a means of Body Purification

  1. Vikrant Prabhu Desai Peace & Bliss Association, An Honarory Yoga Training NGO, Margao

Abstract

Fasting is an important method of cure and body purification in naturopathy. Many ancient texts speak about the benefits of fasting. Fasting has also been linked to religions, so that people should follow fasting. There are various festivals in every religion where fasting is practised like Ekadashi in Hindus, Ramadan in Islam, Lent in Christianity, etc. In modern days intermittent fasting has also come into practise. It is however important that any type of fasting has got immense health benefits, when done in scientific way. Naturopathy lays a lot of importance on fasting as it believes that all diseases are caused due to accumulation of toxins in the body and one of the best methods to stop accumulation of toxins is fasting. Fasting induces autophagy, which removes the accumulated glucose from various parts of the body, thereby controlling lot problems like fatty liver, cholesterol, etc. However, to get maximum benefits from fasting it is necessary that proper method of fasting must be chosen as per the result expected and whatever is the type of fasting, it should be practised in a scientific way including preparation of body for the fasting till ending the fast. If done in a scientific way, the fasting is a tool to cure and prevent a lot of diseases and physical abnormalities. Following article gives importance of fasting, various methods of fasting and scientific method to practise fasting. Right from regular intermittent fasting to long-term fasting prolonged to a few days is explained.

Keywords

References (10)

  1. Mafauzy M. Repaglinide versus glibenclamide treatment of Type 2 diabetes during Ramadan fasting. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. 2002;58(1):45-53. doi:10.1016/s0168-8227(02)00104-3
  2. Golbidi S, Daiber A, Korac B, Li H, Essop MF, Laher I. Health Benefits of Fasting and Caloric Restriction. Current Diabetes Reports. 2017;17(12). doi:10.1007/s11892-017-0951-7
  3. Antoni R, Johnston KL, Steele C, Carter D, Robertson MD, Capehorn MS. Efficacy of an intermittent energy restriction diet in a primary care setting. European Journal of Nutrition. 2019;59(6):2805-2812. doi:10.1007/s00394-019-02098-y
  4. Dai Z, Zhang H, Wu F, Chen Y, Yang C, Wang H, et al. Effects of 10-Day Complete Fasting on Physiological Homeostasis, Nutrition and Health Markers in Male Adults. Nutrients. 2022;14(18):3860. doi:10.3390/nu14183860
  5. Kannan S, Mahadevan S, Seshadri K, Sadacharan D, Velayutham K. Fasting practices in Tamil Nadu and their importance for patients with diabetes. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2016;20(6):858-862. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.192921
  6. Kalra S, Bajaj S, Gupta Y, Agarwal P, Singh S, Julka S, et al. Fasts, feasts and festivals in diabetes-1: Glycemic management during Hindu fasts. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2015;19(2):198. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.149314
  7. Jaleel MA, Raza SA, Fathima FN, Jaleel BNF. Ramadan and diabetes: As-Saum (The fasting). Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2011;15(4):268-273. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.85578
  8. Nye K, Cherrin C, Meires J. Intermittent Fasting: Exploring Approaches, Benefits, and Implications for Health and Weight Management. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. 2024;20(3):104893. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2023.104893
  9. Wang Y, Wu R. The Effect of Fasting on Human Metabolism and Psychological Health. Disease Markers. 2022;2022:1-7. doi:10.1155/2022/5653739
  10. Varady KA, Bhutani S, Church EC, Klempel MC. Short-term modified alternate-day fasting: a novel dietary strategy for weight loss and cardioprotection in obese adults. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2009;90(5):1138-1143. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.28380
Support