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The Physiology of Fasting: How the Body Heals, Rejuvenates, and Gains Energy

Fasting is not just a spiritual practice; it is also a powerful natural mechanism for cleansing the body. When a person temporarily restricts food intake, the body activates processes that not only help it survive but also make it healthier, more energetic, and even capable of fighting diseases, including cancer.

1. Autophagy: How the Body "Eats" Diseases

One of the key mechanisms triggered during fasting is autophagy. This is a natural process where the body breaks down and recycles its own damaged cells, using them as a source of energy and building material.

How does it work?

  1. During regular eating, the body spends all its energy on digestion, while the immune system constantly fights toxins and inflammation.
  2. When there is no food (16-24 hours of fasting) – insulin levels drop, and the body begins breaking down glycogen stores, then fat.
  3. After 24-48 hours, autophagy is activated – the body destroys damaged proteins, old cells, viruses, bacteria, and even cancer cells.
  4. Body cleansing: healthy tissues regenerate, inflammation decreases, and healing improves.

Scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi received the 2016 Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering autophagy, confirming that fasting helps fight inflammation, aging, and even cancer.

2. Fasting and Cancer Prevention

Cancer cells grow rapidly, relying on glucose as their primary energy source. When we fast, blood sugar levels drop, and the body shifts to ketogenic metabolism – using fat instead of sugar.

What happens to cancer cells?
✅ They lose their energy supply (glucose).
✅ The immune system becomes more effective at eliminating mutated cells.
✅ The body clears itself of old cells, including precancerous formations.

Studies show that fasting increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy and reduces the risk of developing cancer.

3. Why Do We Feel More Energetic During Fasting?

After a meal, people often feel sleepy because the body uses a lot of energy for digestion. This explains why heavy meals make us tired and unfocused.

During fasting, however, the opposite happens:
✅ The body does not waste energy on digestion – instead, energy is redirected to the brain, muscles, and immune system.
✅ Adrenaline and norepinephrine levels increase – a natural mechanism that keeps us alert (which explains why it’s easier to concentrate on an empty stomach).
✅ Dopamine production increases – leading to a feeling of euphoria and mental clarity.

Fasting also cleanses the brain by:

  • reducing inflammation,
  • increasing production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which stimulates the growth of new neurons,
  • improving memory and focus.

This is why many people do not feel hunger during fasting but instead experience a surge of energy and mental clarity.

4. Additional Health Benefits of Fasting

✅ Rejuvenation – stimulates stem cell production.
✅ Reduction of inflammation – lowers the risk of autoimmune diseases.
✅ Improved heart function – lowers "bad" cholesterol and blood pressure.
✅ Hormonal balance – regulates insulin, testosterone, and cortisol levels.

Fasting as the Body’s Best "Surgery" Without Anesthesia

When we consciously abstain from food, we do not weaken the body but instead activate its natural self-healing mechanisms. Fasting is not deprivation but cleansing, making us stronger, healthier, and even able to combat serious diseases.

This confirms that fasting is not just a religious tradition but a scientifically proven method for renewing both body and spirit.

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