Hi,
> I am sure that a lot of people have compared this way of eating to the way that certain people eat during Ramadan and I wanted to share my thoughts and attach some cool info about intermittant fasting that I read while searching for the benefits of intermittant fasting on the internet. I am sure all of us have come across several articles on Ramadan when looking for articles on the benefits of Fast 5. Some of these articles are annoying, some are negative, but some have some really good info on the health benefits. Years ago, I had a co-worker that was originally from the middle east and she had strong family ties there and she participated in Ramadan every year. During this time she always looked "glowy" and, I have to say, downright beautiful. She lost weight and had a much better outlook/attitude than she normally did. Normally at work she was kind of "bitchy" and a bit of a trouble maker, most of our co-workers did not care for her.... but during Ramadan.... she became a different person, a very nice, kind and extremely likeable person. It was REALLY interesting to see this process/change. All of a sudden she was very generous and happy, bringing in gifts for people and just had this positive energy. Several of us remarked that we wished she participated in Ramadan year round because the effect it had on her was remarkable. (Interstingly, crime rates decrease in the middle east during Ramadan) I remember questioning her quite a bit on how difficult it was for her and asking her several other questions, all of which she was happy to answer (during Ramadan). She said it was very easy and she would usually lose about 20 pounds. Why she went back to her normal way of eating after Ramadan is beyond me. She always gained back the weight.
> So, I have been doing Fast 5 for a couple weeks now. I should say, although it probably doesn't matter, that I am caucasion and my spirituality is more Celtic/Pagan not middle eastern. I am NOT fasting for religious purposes and I am sure most of us aren't, although, if we gain health benefits, who really cares why we are doing it, right? Anyway.....I feel great. I notice that while I am fasting, I must be giving off some good vibes because people smile at me alot more in public and are generally much nicer to me. Interesting. I also seem to be much more aware of what is going on because I find myself opening doors for people and doing little things and complimenting people when normally I would have overlooked these things. I also seem to have a greater capacity for conveying myself much more clearly and feel more clear headed. I also seem to be a bit more emotional (when watching a sad movie I cry easier.... LOL) Initially I over ate during my window and didn't lose weight, but now I seem to be losing about a 1/2 pound a day. So, in two weeks I have lost about 4 pounds (I didn't gain when over eating the first week which is wonderful). I tend to fast for about 14-15 hours a day. Although some days I can go 19 hours, most of the time, I am famished after 14 hours. I have also noticed... that when I force myself to wait until 5pm to eat than I tend to overeat once my window opens... (we are all different and this may change as I continue... I LOVE the flexibility of Fast 5). I have recently tried eating at around 2 (or 3 depending on my hunger) and leaving my window open longer and just making sure that I fast for at least 15 hours. I am also counting my calories and keepting them to about 1800. Also, if I don't get any fresh greens in the day I try and juice some spinach/apple juice... just because I really have been craving and eating some junk food! I am not gong to feel guilty. It tastes delicious and now that I have been doing fast 5 for a few weeks, I am starting to crave healthier foods (but still very delicious...(I refuse to give up my cheese and chocolate!) So... I was wondering if 14 hours would still have the same benefits as 17 hours and have been reading articles and came across an article on the web. I found some info that is very encouraging and it shows that even 14 hours a day is very beneficial. Yes, it happened to be based on Ramadan (apparently they typically fast for 14 hours a day).... regardless of how we feel about the religious aspects....how lucky are we that Ramadan has been practiced for thousands of years, so several people have already done lots of study's on intermittant fasting~! Here are some of the benefits the studies have shown:
> -Shannon
>
Fasting significantly increases deep sleep and reduces the dreaming time, which takes place during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Therefore, it is more beneficial for the elderly to fast because their normal hours of deep sleep in the non-fasted state are much less.
Because the Islamic fast does not exceed 14 hours or so, the normal steady state of the body is maintained as a result of coordinated physiological mechanisms. Hence, nearly all the biochemical results in the laboratory are normal.
During fasting, serum magnesium is increased and…
Magnesium has cardio-protective effects and it is being used in prevention and treatment of heart attacks.
It has anti-platelet properties and prevents extension of the clot.
It is a membrane stabilizer acting on the sodium/potassium/ calcium flux at the membrane level. Hence, it prevents cardiac and cerebral dysrhythmias.
Fasting, through the beneficial effects of magnesium, prevents the formation of atheroma as well as dissolves atheromatous plaques which are responsible for heart attacks and strokes. Hence, fasting takes an active part in the rejuvenating processes of the body through many channels.
It increases the fibrinolytic activity of the blood, which leads to prevention and also dissolution of any recent clot.
Fasting puts a healthy mind into a healthy body. During fasting, there is increased secretion of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland.. It is an anabolic hormone for synthesis of proteins and collagen, which produces a positive nitrogen balance. It also stimulates erythropoiesis, as well as collagen synthesis
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