What really happens when we fast?

There are a lot of beneficial effects of fasting on the body. Over a long period of time, the human body has developed and adapted to starvation. However, our bodies have not adapted to frequent eating. 

Effects of fasting after 12 hours—There is a spike in growth hormone.

Growth hormone is involved with:

• Anti-aging 

• Fat burning 

• Healing joints

• Protein synthesis 

Effects of fasting after 18 hours—You develop autophagy.

Autophagy is involved with:

• Recycling old and damaged proteins as well as microbes

• Decreased amyloid plaquing 

Effects of fasting after 24 hours—You really start to deplete your glycogen reserve and run on ketones. 

Benefits of fasting after 24 hours:

• Decreased hunger

• Decreased cravings 

• Increased antioxidant reserve

• Increased oxygen 

• Better fuel efficiency 

• Decreased inflammation 

• Gut healing 

• Improved cardiovascular function 

• Improved cognitive function 

Effects of fasting after 48 hours:

• Stimulate stem cells

• Decreased risk of cancer/tumors 

• Make more mitochondria 

Effects of fasting after 72 hours—Do periodically 

• More stimulation of stem cells 

• Better immune function