The observation of lent begins on Ash Wednesday and goes up to 6 weeks thereafter. Lent is considered a time for fasting- a practice by both religious and non-religious groups alike. While there are many ways to fast, is there really a right or wrong way to do so?
Given the fact that a fast entails abstaining from foods from some or all the food groups, the body’s response is unpredictable. Careful planning is therefore necessary for a fast to be successful.
This facilitates mental preparation, allowing individuals to structure their days while on the fast as well as the time at which they should eat.
How does the body respond during a fast? When the body is hungry for an extended period of time it enters into starvation mode. The body will hold on to its stored energy and metabolic activity will also slow down.
The general principle is 6 hours after consuming food, digestion is completed and glycogen stores will be broken down, which are molecules that store energy. The duration of starvation without food is influenced by body fat, genetic variation, other health conditions and the presence or absence of dehydration. Glucose is first used for energy and when unavailable, fat will be broken down to produce energy, followed by muscles. The primary source of energy for the brain is glucose and if unavailable it will use ketones that are produced as energy when fat is broken down.
The glucose in the body can last up to 48 hours. The tough part is eating nothing for over 72 hours. Of note, regardless of the type of fast, the body should be kept hydrated, as is the case in most of the fasts which are practiced.
To continue reading, purchase Vol.9 #1, 2017 Issue.
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The observation of lent begins on Ash Wednesday and goes up to 6 weeks thereafter. Lent is considered a time for fasting- a practice by both religious and non-religious groups alike. While there are many ways to fast, is there really a right or wrong way to do so?
Given the fact that a fast entails abstaining from foods from some or all the food groups, the body’s response is unpredictable. Careful planning is therefore necessary for a fast to be successful.
This facilitates mental preparation, allowing individuals to structure their days while on the fast as well as the time at which they should eat.
How does the body respond during a fast? When the body is hungry for an extended period of time it enters into starvation mode. The body will hold on to its stored energy and metabolic activity will also slow down.
The general principle is 6 hours after consuming food, digestion is completed and glycogen stores will be broken down, which are molecules that store energy. The duration of starvation without food is influenced by body fat, genetic variation, other health conditions and the presence or absence of dehydration. Glucose is first used for energy and when unavailable, fat will be broken down to produce energy, followed by muscles. The primary source of energy for the brain is glucose and if unavailable it will use ketones that are produced as energy when fat is broken down.
The glucose in the body can last up to 48 hours. The tough part is eating nothing for over 72 hours. Of note, regardless of the type of fast, the body should be kept hydrated, as is the case in most of the fasts which are practiced.
To continue reading, purchase Vol.9 #1, 2017 Issue.
Share this post: