This post will be fairly short since I’m away from the “home lab” and relaxing in Thailand. I’m staying at a place called The Sanctuary on Phangan Island (Koh Pha-ngan), which I guess comes as close to paradise as one can get.
I was here before a few years ago at The Sanctuary’s Wellness Centre and chose one of their cleansing and detox programs. Basically it’s a seven day fast but with cleansing juices and supplements included during the fasting period.
And I’m doing the same thing again now.
Benefits of Fasting
Since this is, after all, a science blog I should perhaps say a few words concerning the scientific benefits of fasting. There is a huge amount of information online about the benefits of fasting that you can easily find. But in a nutshell, there is increasing scientific evidence that fasting can provide the following benefits on your overall health:
Fasting promotes better blood sugar control by reducing insulin resistance,
it promotes better overall health by helping to fight chronic inflammation,
it may improve general heart health by helping to control blood pressure and triglyceride and cholesterol levels,
it naturally aids weight loss by limiting calorie intake and boosts metabolism,
it increase the secretion of human growth hormone, which is important for growth, metabolism, weight loss and muscle strength.
Intermittent Fasting
Another very beneficial and popular technique is intermittent fasting. This is not fasting in the real sense, but should be described as a controlled eating programme. Some of the more popular methods are:
The 16/8 method. This involves skipping breakfast and restricting your daily eating period to 8 hours, such as 1–9 p.m. Then you fast for 16 hours in between. I personally do a variation on this method by having an early supper, say around 5pm, and a very late breakfast at 11am or 12 noon the next day. That way you have fasted for around 18 hours.
Eat-Stop-Eat: This involves fasting for 24 hours, once or twice a week, for example by not eating from dinner one day until dinner the next day.
The 5:2 diet: With this method, you consume only 500–600 calories on two non-consecutive days of the week, but eat normally the other 5 days.
Final Words...
I am really only a total beginner when it comes to fasting and cleansing treatments. There is, however, a wealth of information online. A useful site to get more information and how to begin is called Finding Space which is run by my son Chris, and one that I can recommend – obviously, since he’s my son!
Chris is much more expert in these matters than I ever could be and is a certified Nutritionist, Yoga teacher and SOMA breathwork specialist.
There will be another regular post in the New Year once I return to the home lab and think of something to present to you.
But right now… I’m heading back to the beach for the sunrise!
A Merry Christmas to everyone,
Steve
