Fasting - It's Probably Effective, But Is It Safe?

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Feb 3rd 2009 9:00AM

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

When there's a big event looming on the horizon, one where you have to don a tight-ish dress and look your absolute best, you might think that fasting is a good way to drop a few in time for the big day. OK, I could never do this -- not eat anything at all for a day or more -- but you might consider fasting. Would you? Could you? More importantly, should you?

According to leading researchers, fasting is not only healthy, it's good for you. Mark P. Mattson of the National Institute on Aging, says, "In normal health subjects, moderate fasting -- maybe one day a week or cutting back on calories a couple of days a week -- will have health benefits for most anybody." OK, so that's good to know, but one has to consider the logistics of fasting -- in other words, can you do it? As Ruth Frechman, a registered dietitian, points out, "you're hungry, fatigued, irritable. Fasting is not very comfortable. People try to cut back one day and the next day they're starving and they overeat."

Do you fast? Why? How? Please share.

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Comments (4)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Katheryn 2-03-2009 @ 11:03AM

I fast the first Sunday of every month for religious reasons. I think it's great. While it was difficult when I first started, it's not anymore. It just feels good.

rachel 2-03-2009 @ 11:01AM

I've done it--it takes will power, but I wasn't cranky. I didn't allow myself to be, because i was choosing to do it, so I wasn't going to complain. I did it over a weekend and totally cleared my schedule. I felt good afterward!

Cecily T 2-06-2009 @ 9:22AM

I've been (trying) to fast one day a week since January. My biggest hurdle is that I'm a breakfast person, so I often eat in the morning on autopilot before I think to not eat. I'm trying to decide whether going breakfast-to-breakfast counts, since it would still be 24 hours.

Andrew 3-09-2009 @ 10:32AM

I picked up this habit since last year. Now I fast 1 meal every 2 weeks, and then 1 day every month. Then I would fast an extended period of time for spiritual/religious reason. There are preparations before and after (eat less before you fast, and resume after fast by eating small quantity). It gives me a fresh mind, passionate heart, good body, and better marriage.