8 Health Benefits of Fasting

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1. Intermittent fasting and alternate-day fasting could help decrease blood sugar levels and reduce insulin resistance but may affect men and women differently.

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2. Some studies have found that fasting could decrease several markers of inflammation and may be useful in treating inflammatory conditions, such as multiple sclerosis.

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3. Fasting has been associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease and may help lower blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol levels.

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4. Animal studies show that fasting could improve brain function, increase nerve cell synthesis and protect against neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s.

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5. Fasting may increase metabolism and help preserve muscle tissue to reduce body weight and body fat.

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6. Studies show that fasting can increase levels of human growth hormone (HGH), an important protein hormone that plays a role in growth, metabolism, weight loss and muscle strength.

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7. Animal studies have found that fasting could delay aging and increase longevity, but human research is still lacking.

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8. Some animal and test-tube studies suggest that fasting could block tumor development and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

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