fasting

Fasting designates the act of willingly abstaining from the consumption of specific foods and beverages, for a certain period of time. Fasting can last from a day to several days or even weeks and it can be partially restrictive (it can exclude meat and dairy products, for example) or it can be absolute, which implies abstinence from all food and drink, usually for no more than a day. Fasting is often used with a religious meaning, as a way to purify the body and spirit and prepare an individual for spiritual contemplation.

In a medical context, fasting can refer a metabolic state achieved after the complete digestion of a meal, or the metabolic state of a person during the morning, before the consumption of any food or drink for that day. In general, an individual is considered to be fasting after 8 to 12 hours from their last meal. Most blood tests are performed when a person is in fasting state, since this allows for an accurate measurement of blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Fasting is also necessary to ensure the efficiency of general anesthetics.

A typical fast normally implies a reduced calorie intake, although there are several ways to fast without really cutting down on calories. However, fasting is often used as a means to cleanse the body and control weight, by consuming light foods that are easily digested and absorbed. The principal function of most fasting protocols is to encourage the body to tap into its fat reserves. The body normally switches to stored fats and begins to convert them into glucose when the daily food intake renders insufficient calories.


Fasting has been used therapeutically for many centuries, as a means to treat numerous diseases. A restrictive diet has been shown to provide numerous health benefits. Since it literally encourages the body to use energy more effectively, it reduces the risk of cancers, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, while also slowing down the aging process and extending life span. Endurance sports athletes are able to keep on going thanks to the efficient way in which their bodies switch to stored energy reserves.

You'll find bloggers talking about fasting at sites like serendip.brynmawr.edu and eden.rutgers.edu.

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Original Technorati articles tagged “fasting”

• in Politics
  The Big Indian Fascist Farce of Fasting.
  Whether it is an ex military truck driver who runs a village through its own court where whipping by an army belt may be the right punishment or a physical Guru who is an epitome of manly strength and wants to build an army of armed supports but had to be whisked away from Police in a woman’s garb by women or a chief minister who had to be reminded by the country’s prime minister that he can’t act Like A Nero in a burring Rome, it looks like there are serious and disturbing fascist strains in the veins of the proponents of modern fasting In India.
  by forgevalley / on Sep 18, 2011
• in Lifestyle
  Try a Fasting Diet to Trigger Rapid Weight Loss Results
  Fasting and calorie restriction are emerging as important methods to improve overall health and drive sustainable weight loss.
  by john27 / on Jul 19, 2010
• in Lifestyle
  Hey You're Getting Fat, Try Eating Air for the Next 70 Years
  Prahlad Jani goes 70 years without food and proves it under scientific observation for two weeks
  by defianceofscience / on May 22, 2010

Latest blogosphere posts tagged “fasting”

 

• Wednesday Link List

  
  Thinking Out Loud — Authority: 113
  Ideas are always welcomed, but I’d especially like to hear from people who are in touch with electic Christian bloggers from outside North America.  As for the drum kit (above) the blog where I sourced it (click image) says it’s claimed to be the largest drum set in the world by a church in New York ...
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• Your Best Key Into a Nutritious Diet regime: Wide variety

  
  Econ-Atrocity / Econ-Utopia — Authority: 134
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• Day 205: Fasting

  
  Daily Manna - Daily Dose of Good News — Authority: 111
  In chapter 58, Isaiah tells the people they can’t fast the way they do and expect God to listen to them. Fasting is a time to share your food, but they go about their day and argue. Instead of just going through the motions, they (we)should be clothing the naked, setting free the oppressed. When read more..
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• Juice Cleanse - Day 3

  
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  The focus for Day 3 was the third chakra , located on the spine directly behind the navel. The third chakra controls your feelings of fear, anxiety and power (hence getting a knot in your stomach, etc). When youre third chakra is not balanced you tend to soak up a lot of stress and are easily influenced by any ...
  2 weeks ago

• Fasting tips for breastfeeding

  
  Bolozer — Authority: 133
  This time, as the previous article that discussed the Health Manager for Ramadan Holy month going to occur in articles, tips for nursing mothers who want to run rapidly. Performing fasting during Ramadan is obligatory, including pregnant women and lactating mothers. However, God has given exemption for ...
  2 weeks ago

• Fasting A Day Helps In Many Ways

  
  Practice Forex Account — Authority: 151
  It may be a surprise for many but fasting is very good for our body if not done in excess. It is one of the best ways to clear toxins which are clogged in your body. It cleanses your body and improves your health. The accumulated fat in the body becomes a good source of energy. It is also said, by fasting on regular ...
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• The Miracle of News Fasting For Entrepreneurs

  
  Lead Serve — Authority: 117
  If you want a great way to regain control of your time and double (even triple) your productivity, then this article will show you a way that works almost every time it’s used. Here’s the story: A few years ago, I had the good fortune to write an ad selling a product showing people how [...]
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• Fasts and Feasts: sustainability and a Lenten lifestyle

  
  Desert — Authority: 79
  Tweet Picture from here On 22 February 2012 -   the season of Lent leading up to Good Friday and Easter will begin with Ash Wednesday.  In the Western Christian tradition, fast days are Ash Wednesday and all Fridays.  Some add Wednesdays as an option.  Ash Wednesday and Fridays, are also abstinence ...
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• Can You Really Lose Weight Fasting?

  
  How Do You Lose Weight Fast — Authority: 118
  by jon_a_ross Can You Really Lose Weight Fasting? Okay so we know that you want to lose weight. Otherwise you would not be reading this article at all. You have probably tried so many diets, and remedies that you cannot remember them all. You are about to give up. I know from first hand that [...]
  2 weeks ago

• A "Fast" Update - Not all 6s & 7s...

  
  there there kitten — Authority: 101
  Day 6 & 7 So here I am...on the eve of my last day of one of the most difficult tasks Ive ever committed to. A Fast. Both yesterday and today have been tremendous mental and physical battles. A battle of wills - Will I cave? Will I fail? Will I pass out? Will I stay strong? Will I give in and just take a taste ...
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• Inspired to Try a Juicing Fast

  
  Personal Blog of Justin Germino — Authority: 411
  A few weeks ago my wife and I watched the movie Fat, Sick and Nearly dead and the movie has inspired me to purchase a new juicer after my old one had to be tossed.  (It had 11 years of use before having to be discarded). The movie is about a man who has so many health problems after becoming obese that he decides to ...
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• Fasting Day Final! Expect the Power…

  
  Wolfi's View from London — Authority: 407
  Fasting is not an end in itself, and nor just a means to an end. In itself, it enriches the spirit, but through it, it impacts your world by the power of God released in a new measure through you… In Luke 4 we read that “Jesus, being full of the Holy Spirit, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, and ...
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• How To Deal With Your Girlfriend Breaking Up With You

  
  ObscureInternet — Authority: 112
  The first movie you need to watch is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The film is about a guy who finds out that his ex-girlfriend paid a company to have him erased from his mind. Once he finds this out he in turn gets the procedure done to him. Fate would have it that they meet again at the beginning/end of the ...
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• Winners Chapel 21days fasting Breakthrough Night Cancelled, Security

  
  Nigeria Newspapers — Authority: 127
  Nigeria Newspapers Winners Chapel 21days fasting Breakthrough Night Winners Chapel (Living Faith Church Worldwide) has cancelled its Breakthrough Night Scheduled for today due to the current unrest in Nigeria. There have been different unrest in the Country ranging from the NLC strike, Duel Subsidy removal ...
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• A "Fast" Update - Four, Five & Friday!

  
  there there kitten — Authority: 101
  DAY FOUR & FIVE Thank-you to everyone who has encouraged me and sent me their love. I only ever want to use this blog as a place to encourage others and as a way to express myself. Oh yes, it is Friday and Im more than halfway done my 8 day fast! Im thanking God that my work week is ending and I can have ...
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• Fasting Day 6: My food is to…

  
  Wolfi's View from London — Authority: 407
  Have you ever been so engrossed in something – maybe work, reading, talking to a friend, doing something you love – that you forgot to eat? Or didn’t go to sleep? Time just flew and you just realized it was dinner time but you’d skipped lunch. One day Jesus was on His way to Galilee, and ended up taking a ...
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• What Food Could You Give-up for a Month?

  
  GentlemanREDUX.com | A Blog Dedicated to the Modern Gentleman — Authority: 110
  Alright – this will be brief, but it was really just a passing thought concerning my health and eating habits. I am an avid Chipotle Fan.  I eat there 3-4 times a weeks, have been to most of the locations in my city and would love to eat it everyday if possible.  Seriously – it’s that delicious to me.  And ...
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• Jesus Answering A Question On Fasting

  
  The Gospel of the Kingdom — Authority: 103
  The disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus with a question. They were certainly curious and perhaps a bit peeved. They had been fasting while Jesus’ disciples were eating and drinking and enjoying life with Jesus. If you’ve ever fasted you know it’s a sacrifice. If you’ve ever had to fast while others ...
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• My One Meal Menu

  
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  My One Meal Menu Some of the FAQs I received from my readers are: What do you eat in that one meal? What calories, what kind of food and what portion size and did you eat all those foods being recorded in your food blog? Well I’m going to answer all these questions together. I have a food blog and a fasting ...
  2 weeks ago

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