Experts have commented on the study and the notion of how healthy fasting is.
Fasting increases lipolysis and thereby reduces body fat, especially visceral fat, reducing insulin resistance.
Effects of fasting will be different for different people because each person has a different metabolic rate and a different level of body fat," Dr Krishnamurthy told IndiaToday.In.
But different types of fasting and durations of fasting is different for everyone," Dr Kalpana Janardhan advised.
This is done so it may have an influence on metabolic health, heart health, body weight, stabilising blood sugars, blood pressure and cholesterol."
The obesity epidemic has spurred the idea of adopting healthy trends and weight-loss tricks. Fasting, which has several scientific and religious connotations in India, has often made headlines for its efficacy in helping people lose weight sustainably.
A recent observational study by the American Heart Association suggested that people who limit their eating to less than 8 hours a day are likely to die from heart disease.
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While time-restricted eating, popularly known as intermittent fasting, has reported several success stories, the study paints a different picture altogether.
Experts have commented on the study and the notion of how healthy fasting is.
Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy, Head of the Department, Interventional Cardiology, Kauvery Hospital, Marathahalli, Bengaluru, disagreed with the study and said that fasting is one of the best ways to improve longevity.
"One of the best means to improve longevity is eating less and fasting. Fasting increases lipolysis and thereby reduces body fat, especially visceral fat, reducing insulin resistance. Effects of fasting will be different for different people because each person has a different metabolic rate and a different level of body fat," Dr Krishnamurthy told IndiaToday.In.
Dr Kalpana Janardhan, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, said that fasting has positive effects on the blood sugar level of the body.
"Fasting may have positive impacts on blood sugar, blood pressure, brain function and cancer prevention. If we look at intermittent fasting, then it can help with weight management. But different types of fasting and durations of fasting is different for everyone," Dr Kalpana Janardhan advised.
Since most experts have established that fasting is healthy for a person, how you do it matters.
Nutritionist Phebe Vinodhini said that fasting can be healthy if practised in a planned manner.
She told IndiaToday.In. "During prolonged fasting, due to non-availability of glycogen stores, the body taps the fat stores for energy. This is done so it may have an influence on metabolic health, heart health, body weight, stabilising blood sugars, blood pressure and cholesterol."
Fasting is healthy, but some populations should stay away from it. These include growing children, pregnant women, elderly people and people with high metabolic demands, like athletes and heavy manual labourers.
Published By: Daphne Clarance Published On: Apr 7, 2024
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