Fasting Once A Month Could Actually Help You Live Longer And Healthier, Says New Study
Plenty of people suggest all kinds of diets in order to get healthier, though many of them are dubious claims to say the least. But as it turns out, one recent study seems to indicate that a little bit of fasting might actually be good for your body
Plenty of people suggest all kinds of diets in order to get healthier, though many of them are dubious claims to say the least. But as it turns out, one recent study seems to indicate that a little bit of fasting might actually be good for your body.
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Intermittent fasting in particular is a now oft-made suggestion, either for weight-loss or just to improve your nutrition habits. It takes many forms too. Some involve fasting for a few hours at a stretch in the day, and others for a few days in the week entirely. However, researchers at the Intermountain Healthcare Heart Institute in Salt Lake City think there's a better way.
Led by PhD Benjamin Horne, they're suggesting a gentler form of this fasting, saying it could lengthen a person's lifespan and make them healthier in general. The study looked at 2,000 cardiac catheterization patients in the facility, which is when doctors insert a catheter into the heart to take a look at conditions. The thing is, most of these patients were practicing Mormons, who typically fast for 24 hours on the first Sunday of each month.
And even when keeping other factors in mind, the researchers said these fasting patients lived longer and healthier over the following five-year period.
This is a huge deal, given that intermittent fasting involves a lot of self-denial, for hours at a time or multiple times a week. Basically, it's hard to do. So the suggestion that an easier fasting method is just as good is lovely to hear.
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In fact, the researchers hypothesize that fasting overnight is enough for the beneficial aspects of fasting to kick in. Essentially, that means your body will benefit just as much from fasting just once a month over a long period.
It's still unclear though what part of the fasting is lengthening your life, but there are definite benefits to it. It's shown to improve cardiac health, lowered sodium levels, a better red blood cell count, and improved human growth hormone levels.
