Fasting has existed since time immemorial amongst indigenous communities, The Ancient practice was done on auspicious occasions, for cleansing and healing of the body, and for a higher spiritual resonance. Fasting once viewed as unorthodox, unscientific and illogical; until the work on autophagy induced fasting was awarded the noble prize. (Autophagy is the body's way of cleaning out damaged cells, in order to regenerate newer, healthier cells). Fasting was then immediately approved and implemented once there was western approval!
Enormous health benefits can be achieved by ridding our bodies of the toxins that bog them down and when we stop fuelling up all time when the tank is spilling over. Empty-stomach and hunger are two different things. Hunger means your energy level start dropping. But empty stomach is a good thing. Today modern science also is coming in line with this. Your body and your brain work at their best only when your stomach is empty and not impacted.
BOOSTING REGENERATION
Intestinal stem cells are responsible for maintaining the lining of the intestine, which typically renews itself every five days. When an injury or infection occurs, stem cells are key to repairing any damage. As people age, the regenerative abilities of these intestinal stem cells decline, so it takes longer for the intestine to recover. These stem cells are the source for all new intestinal cells, so this decline can make you more susceptible to gastrointestinal infections or other conditions that affect the intestine and also reduce the ability for the intestine to repair itself after damage.
When you fast, cells begin breaking down fatty acids instead of glucose, a metabolic switch and a change that stimulates the stem cells to become more regenerative. For many decades, scientists have known that low caloric intake and a clean gut is linked with enhanced longevity in humans and other organisms. A simple 24-hour fast enhances the function of young and old intestinal stem cells, and researchers found that stem cells from fasting doubled regenerative capacity.
Moreover, properly done fasting offers you a chance to detoxify your body. A body overloaded with toxins and pollutants suffer from a weakened immune system, a stressed – out liver, and in all probability, a malfunctioning colon. Such “toxic” bodies are far more vulnerable to disorders great and small, ranging from colds, flu, fatigue, arthritis, asthma, and allergies – all the way up to autoimmune conditions, heart disease and cancer. In other words, properly done fasting is one of the missing links to better health.