Fasting and Longevity

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For the first part of this article, go to the link. I wanted to share the part about fasting and longevity: http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?ID=1657 Where does fasting fit into all this?Later in this book, after evaluating the life extension effects of animal studies, I suggest strategies which mimic these experiments and which you can put into daily practice. For now, the purpose of this chapter is to highlight a different aspect of the potential which this knowledge offers us, the use of fasting and dietary modification as a means of health promotion, rather than with the aim of life extension. Fasting is not starvationDuring starvation (once fatty tissue has been used up) the body draws on its own essential protein reserves for fuel, whereas in fasting it is the non-essential fat

and protein stores which are used for this purpose. Clearly, if fasting continues for too long a period, starvation will take over, but no such risk exists when fasting is used according to certain strict guidelines which I will explain. One definition of fasting is of a period during which no solid food is taken and when (ideally) water only is consumed. Fasting in the treatment of chronic disease has been used for centuries, and research into its effectiveness has been carried out for at least 100 years. 1 A number of university studies have been conducted which show quite clearly just what happens to the various body systems when humans and animals fast.2,3 In some of these strictly controlled studies prolonged fasting (months in some cases) was shown to produce no harmful effects, only benefits. Some of the diseases which have

been found to improve with fasting are listed at the end of this chapter. What happens to the body on a fast?The body's basic metabolic rate (BMR), which is an index of the rate at which the body burns fuel to create energy, is seen to slowly reduce, by around one per cent daily until it stabilizes at 75 per cent of its normal rate.4 In animal studies a number of ways have been found to slow BMR, induding dietary (calorie) restriction and the cooling of core temperature (such as occurs during hibernation)5 and indeed one of the major markers of animals and humans whose potential life spans are extended by use of reduced calorie intake is a slowing down of the rate at which they 'burn' oxygen; in other words their BMR slows down. The effect of fasting, in slowing BMR, is therefore one way in which it promotes longevity.

Just how this is achieved is of some importance for it brings into play a degree of adaptation in which energy is conserved, making the process more 'thrifty'. Weindrudh and Walford have shown that longevity is directly linked to efficient energy consumption ('thrifty' as opposed to 'burner' animals and people). When fasting begins, the first source of energy which is tapped is the stored glucose in the liver (glucose is vital for brain function and red blood cells). When its own stores are used up, and whatever remaining food in the digestive tract has been used as an energy source, the body begins to synthesize more glucose, taken as stored glycogen from muscle tissues. After about 24 hours these sources will be depleted, and free amino acids and protein, and later fat stores (triglycerides), from various nonessential sites will be turned into energy by the liver and the kidneys. A combination of a lower requirement for energy and careful use of what fuels are

available (including some recycling, for example of red blood cells) allows fasting to continue for many weeks before any vital tissues become threatened (unless at the starting point the faster is already emaciated or malnourished). The longer the fast continues the more efficient the body function in reducing its dependence on glucose and the more efficiently it uses fatty tissues for its reduced energy requirements.6 Changes seen on a fastA wide array of biochemical changes occur during fasting, some of them unpredictable, being dependent on your state of health at the outset. Many, however, are predictable, including hormonal changes of particular significance to longevity.7 Except in very overweight people, one of the key changes seen is an increase in the production by the pituitary gland of Growth Hormone (GH), of which

much more will be heard in our continued exploration of life extension mechanics. From the viewpoint of enhanced health there are the many beneficial changes which take place in immune function during fasting.8 Most of these improvements, notably affecting immune function, carry on into the period after the fast. This is perhaps the most important aspect of fasting for better health. What fasting can achieveAmong the conditions successfully dealt with by fasting alone are the following: diabetes,9 gangrene,9epilepsy,10,11obesity (although this condition requires counselling and lifestyle modification for continued benefit),12heart disease,13,14,15pancreatitis,16poisoning with toxic chemicals (dramatic benefits with seven to ten day fasts),17autoimmune disease such as glomerulonephritis, 18 rheumatoid arthritis,19,20,21 (a 1984 study in the US22 showed remarkable improvement after seven-day fasts), food allergy,23 psoriasis, varicose ulcers, bronchial asthma, schizophrenia and many more (references to these are given

by Salloum and Burton, reference 6 below). Recent proof from Norwegian researchA one year study of people with rheumatoid arthritis was carried out in Norway. The researchers stated that while fasting is proven as an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, many patients relapse when they start eating again. In this study they followed the four week semi-fast with a one year vegetarian diet, and it was found that all the benefits of the fast (marked reduction in number and intensity of swollen joints, pain and stiffness; increased strength; improved blood chemistry and overall health status) were maintained at the end of the year. The fast itself was not total but included herbal teas, vegetable broth and vegetable juices (no fruit juices because of sugar content). The calorie intake during the fast ranged between 800 and 1,250 per day. When eating was resumed the participants were, for the first

three to five months, asked to avoid meat, fish, eggs, dairy produce, refined sugar, food containing gluten (e.g. wheat), citrus fruits, strong spices, tea, coffee, alcohol and preservatives. After this they were allowed dairy produce and gluten-containing foods, unless there was any reaction to them (swollen joints or pain etc.) in which case these foods were stopped again. The calorie intake during this stage of the treatment is not given, but it must have been in the region of 1,800 and 2,000 calories, as recommended by life extension experts. The conclusion of these researchers from the University of Oslo was: We have shown that a substantial reduction in disease activity can be obtained by fasting followed by an individually adjusted vegetarian diet. We do not believe that this regimen carries a health risk; on the contrary it seems to be a useful supplement to ordinary medical treatment.24

Side effects of fastingDuring the early stages of fasting a number of predictable changes occur which commonly lead to headache, nausea, dizziness, coated tongue, body odour, palpitations, muscle aches, discharge of mucous and skin changes. These symptoms need to be borne philosophically since they represent a necessary passage in the healing process. The benefits to be gained are well worth the short-term inconvenience of this catalog of minor problems which commonly vanish after a few days, to be followed by a sense of well-being and clarity of mind of remarkable degree. It is essential if a fast is to be carried out for more than 48 hours that there is a degree of guidance available from a health professional who is experienced in fasting techniques, ideally a naturopathic practitioner. For shorter fasts the guidelines given later in this book will be sufficient. It is now time to examine the Weindrudh and Walford research into longevity

enhancement - natural life extension and the prescription for youth. References 'Dr Tanner's Fast', British Medical Journal (1880) ii:V1 Morgulis, S., Fasting and Undernutrition (E.P. Dutton, New York, 1923) Keys, A. et al, The Biology of Human Starvation Volumes 1 and 2 (University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, 1950) Goodhart, R., Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease 6th Edition (Lea & Fabiger, Philadelphia, 1980) Hochachka, P. & Guppy, M., Metabolic Arrest and the Contml of Biological Time (Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 1987) Salloum, T. & Burton, A., 'Therapeutic Fasting' from Textbook of Natural Medicine , ed: PDrno and Murray (Bastyr College Publication, Seattle 1987) Kernt, P. et al, 'Fasting: the history,

pathophysiology and complications' Western Journal of Medicine (1982) 137:379-99 Palmblad, J. et al, 'Acute energy deprivation in man: effect on serum immunoglobulins, antibody response, complement factors 3 & 4, acute phase reactants and interferon producing capacity of blood Iymphocyted Clinical Experimental Immunology (1977) 30:50-5 8b. Win & E. et al, 'Fasting enhanced immune effector mechanism in obese patients' American Journal of Medicine (1983) 75:91-6 Allan, F., 'Prolonged fasting in diabetes' American Journal of Medical Science (1915) 150:480-5 Hoefel, G. & Moriarty, M., 'The effects of fasting on the metabolism' American Journal of Diseases in Children (1924) 28:16-24 Lennox, W. & Cobb, S., 'Studies in epilepsy' Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry (1928) 20:711-79 Duncan, C. et al,'

Intermittent fasts in the correction and control of intractable obesity' American Journal of Medical Science (1963) 245:515-52 Gresham, G., 'Is Atheroma a reversible lesionr Atherosclerosis (1976) 23:379-91. Suzuki, J. et al, 'Fasting therapy for psychosomatic disease' Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (1976) 118(supp):245-59 Sorbris, R. et al, 'Vegetarian fasting in obese patients: a clinical and biochemical evaluation' Scandinavian J. Gastroenterolgy (1982) 17:417-24 Navarro, S. et al, 'Comparison of fasting, nasogastric suction and cimetidine in treatment of acute pancreatitis' Digestiom (1984) 30:224-30 Imamura, M. et al, 'A trial of fasting cure for PCB poisoning patients in Taiwan' American Journal of Internal Medicine (1984) 5:10-53 Brod, J. et al, influence of fasting on the

immunological reactions and course of glomerulonephritis' Lancet (1958) 760-3 Lithell, H. et al, 'A fasting and vegetarian diet treatment trial on chronic inflammatory disorders' Acta Derm. Venereol . (1983) 63:397-403 Skoldstam, L. et al, 'Rheumatoid disorders' Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology (1979) 8:249-55 Skoldstam, L. et al, impaired con A suppressor cell activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis shows normalization during fasting' Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology (1983) 12:4:369-73 Kroker, G. et al, 'Fasting and rheumatoid arthritis: a multicentre study, Clinical Ecology (1984) 2:3:137-44 Gerrard, J., Food Intolerances' Lancet (1984) ii:413 Kjeldsen-Kragh, J. et al, 'Controlled trial of fasting and one-year vegetarian diet in Rheumatoid Arthritis' Lancet

(1991) 899-904. Experimental Evidence of Life Extension Related HealthWorld Articles More articles about Aging More articles about Fasting More articles from the Alternative Medicine Center More articles from the Healthy Aging Center More articles by Leon Chaitow A practicing naturopath, osteopath, and acupuncturist in the United Kingdom, with over forty years clinical experience, Dr. Chaitow is Editor-in-Chief, of the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. He regularly lectures in the United States as well as Europe where he instructs physiotherapists (Holland and USA), osteopaths (Spain and UK), chiropractors (Denmark, USA and UK) as well as massage therapists (Ireland, Sweden, USA). He is a senior lecturer by London's University of Westminster on under and postgraduate courses in therapeutic bodywork and naturopathy. In 1993,

he became the first naturopath/osteopath to be appointed as consultant to a UK government-funded conventional medical practice. He lives and practices in both the UK and Greece. A prolific author, Dr. Chaitow has written over 60 books on natural health and alternative medicine, View more

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