Fast & Glorious

Model, actor and wellness enthusiast Shiv Narayanan demystifies Intermittent Fasting

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Some of the most influential people in the history of the human race have agreed on one thing: fasting is the most powerful, natural healing method of all time. It’s been used by all cultures from all over the globe.

So, what is fasting?

Fasting is controlled, voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual and health reasons, and it also a form of political protest. So, it’s not the same as starvation. Hippocrates, also known as the father of modern medicine, said, “food should be our medicine, medicine should be our food, but, to eat when one is sick is to feed the sickness.” So, when we fall sick, our natural instinct is to refuse food. When it’s over, and the internal healing has been accomplished, our appetite returns naturally, and of its own accord. We all have a fasting instinct embedded inside us.

What is Intermittent Fasting?

Let me articulate this in the most non-scientific and least convoluted manner. IF (Intermittent Fasting) is a tool to reduce caloric intake, allowing your body to start tapping into your fat stores. While doing so, you go through extended periods of fasting and create windows of eating. The period could last from anywhere between 12 to 72 hours. That means, unintentionally, we all have done it at some time or the other.

What are the benefits of IF?

WEIGHT LOSS For maintenance, calorie restrictions for women should be around 1,500 calories and 2,000 calories for men. Fasting conveniently restricts calories and lowers insulin levels as a result of fat burning. However, factors like exercise, sleep and other activities affect the time frame for losing weight.

BETTER HEART HEALTH

Research shows that fasting can help lower blood pressu cholesterol, control diabetes and reduce weight all of which improve heart health.

LEAN MUSCLE GAIN