Periodic fasting: good for the heart?
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The longest time I’ve ever gone without food is probably 20 hours, and I was probably sleeping for most of that period. I’ve never attempted to “fast”; it sort of goes against my love affair with food, and my general disinterest in depriving myself of things. However, I know people who have fasted, one on the 10-day Master Cleanse where all you consume is lemon juice, maple syrup, water and cayenne pepper. Sounds like self-torture to me, but fasters claim they feel incredible afterwards. Is there actually any truth to this madness?
The statistics in Utah’s Mormon population suggest that fasting may actually provide long-term health benefit. Many mormons go without food for one day every month. A survey by Benjamin Horne of Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City found that those who fasted were 39 per cent more likely than non-afsters to have a “healthy heart”.
What’s so special about fasting?
Horne thinks that fasting might slow the development of diabetes, which narrows the blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disesase. Periodic withdrawal of food might resensitise the insulin-producing beta cells, a theory that is backed by animal studies.
Anyone out there tried fasting? Tell me the truth: is it all it’s cracked up to be?
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