New Delhi: For centuries, fasting and vows of religion have remained an inseparable part of Indian culture. Apart from being a spiritual practice, it is also a scientifically validated one that benefits the body. This week American podcaster Lex Fridman discussed his 45-hour fast ahead of their podcast with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi said that fasting is not just a religious matter but a scientific process that has been practiced since time immemorial from a traditional and Ayurvedic point of view.
But there are a number of cures that you should know about, as well as the orders that will come into your body. — If you are planning to fast for 45 hours, At first, your body relies on glucose for its energy needs. Once the digestion of the food you just ate is over, your blood sugar concentration goes down, and the body breaks down glycogen to glucose. As a result, insulin levels drop, and the body is able to enter fat-burning mode.
Two or three hours in, the body has depleted its glucose supply and begins burning fat for fuel, a process called ketosis that commences after about 12 hours. This is called the ketotic phase and occurs when the body begins to make ketone bodies, which the brain and muscles can use as an alternative fuel source. The body also triggers autophagy, helping to eliminate damaged cells and proteins and build new ones.
Autophagy speeds up by the 24-hour mark, where your body starts cleaning up the old and weak cells and starts building healthy cells. HGH levels rise three to fivefold, helping muscles recover and burning fat. At the same time, the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline increase, promoting fat burning.
Starting around the 36-45 hour mark after fasting has started, gluconeogenesis occurs, which is the production of glucose from both amino acids and lactic acid by the body. During this time, we can experience a 10–15% increase in metabolic rate, providing us with better efficiency in burning calories. This can lead to a decrease in inflammation, potentially lowering the risk of heart disease, cancer, and neurodegeneration.
Scientists have studied how fasting triggers autophagy for years. Nobel Prize-winning Japanese scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi received the Nobel Prize for work in autophagy, a process he believed could mitigate ageing, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease. Autophagy is often activated when fasting extends beyond 24 hours, according to a 2019 study.
So what are the physical benefits of a 45-hour fast?
Weight Loss: Increased fat burning.
Enhanced Insulin Sensitivity: Lower chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
The process is an autophagy-driven systematic human cleansing of cellular debris, generating new cells.
Increased Anti-Inflammatory—decreased chances of getting chronic ailments such as arthritis and heart disease.
Better Brain Function: The brain shines on ketone bodies, which are energy it can use to fuel itself, giving you clarity.
Gut Function: More functional guts.
Life-extension potential: Fasting may extend the life span of mice in studies.
However, some individuals do not require fasting.
There are women who are pregnant or nursing.
Individuals with type 1 diabetes or hypoglycemia
Severe heart patients.
This applies to people who are underweight or who feel dizzy or tired during fasting.