A second prescribed benefit of fasting is the healing process that begins in the body during a fast. During a fast energy is diverted away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the metabolism and immune system. The healing process during a fast is precipitated by the body’s search for energy sources. Abnormal growths within the body, tumors and the like, do not have the full support of the body’s supplies and therefore are more susceptible to autolysis. Autolysis is the breaking down of fat stores in the body in order to produce energy. Furthermore, “production of protein for replacement of damaged cells (protein synthesis) occurs more efficiently… A higher efficiency in protein synthesis results in healthier cells,tissues and organs. This is one reason that animals stop eating when they are wounded, and why humans lose hunger during influenza. Hunger has been proven absent in illnesses such asgastritis, tonsillitis and colds. Therefore, when one is fasting, the person is consciously diverting energy from the digestive system to the immune system. In addition, there is a reduction in core body temperature. This is a direct result of the slower metabolic rate and general bodilyfunctions. Following a drop in blood sugar level and using the reserves of glucose found in liver glycogen, the basal metabolic rate(BMR) is reduced in order to conserve as much energy within the body as can be provided. Growth hormones are also released during a fast, due to the greater efficiency in hormone production
Posted on: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 05:46:33 +0000