Fast As You Can

Have scientists discovered the key to WEIGHT LOSS, longevity and through the simple act of FASTING? It sounds too good to be true, so we asked health writer Kate Daley to explore the views behind the news. Here’s what she found.

- Kate Daley

WHAT IF YOU COULD VASTLY IMPROVE YOUR health just by doing nothing – well, more like eating nothing – for a period of time? Fasting – also known as abstaining from food for a certain number of hours or even full days – is currently making headlines because of its potential for big benefits.

New studies, along with a slew of scientists, say it might be crucial for weight loss and anti-aging in general. It may have the potential to lower your risk of cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and even treat type 2 diabetes.

So, the question is, should you be adding fasting to your wellness routine? Let’s look at the facts.

THE LONG VIEW

Historically, fasting has been a tenet of cultures for centuries, during religious events such as Lent, Ramadan and Yom Kippur. But with the evolution of modern life, for many people, fasting is no longer a part of their daily routines. Food scarcity isn’t a problem either – most of us have access to food 24/7, and will take advantage of that full fridge at our first pang of hunger.

This constant eating really irks fasting proponent Dr. Jason Fung, a Toronto-based nephrologist and author of The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss. “We worry when someone goes three hours without eating,” says Dr. Fung. “It’s ridiculous.”

For years, the most common dietary recommendation was to eat three meals a day with two snacks, leaving the body very little downtime where it’s not processing food, he says.

HOW DOES FASTING WORK?