Benefits of water fasting?
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Water fasting offers several benefits that have been extensively discussed by Dr. Rhonda Patrick:
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Cellular Clean-Up: Prolonged fasting, generally over three to four days, activates stem cells and clears away damaged or dysfunctional cells. This process, known as autophagy, helps in the regeneration and repair of tissues 1.
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Cancer and Autoimmune Disease: Studies have indicated that prolonged fasting can shrink organs and induce apoptosis (cell death) in damaged cells, which is beneficial in treating autoimmune diseases and cancer. The refeeding phase post-fast stimulates stem cell activation for healthy cell regeneration, crucial for combatting these conditions 2.
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Metabolic Health: Fasting, including intermittent fasting, improves metabolism by enhancing metabolic efficiency and insulin sensitivity. This can result in improved management of conditions like diabetes and obesity 1.
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Weight Loss: Prolonged fasting mobilizes fat stores, which aids in weight loss. It can dramatically reduce body weight in a supervised manner, showcasing the body's ability to adapt and efficiently use stored fat for energy 3.
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Mental Resilience: The process of fasting and then refeeding can improve mental resolve and resilience, although longer fasts require medical supervision, particularly for certain groups like diabetics or those with other health conditions 4.
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Overall Healthspan: Intermittent fasting can serve as an accessible lifestyle intervention, promoting overall health by synchronizing sleep, nutrition, and physical activity 4.
For those hesitant about water fasting, Dr. Valter Longo's fasting mimicking diet provides similar benefits by mimicking the nutrient restriction of fasting, which can be more manageable for many people 1.
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