Wellness Via Intermittent Fasting

Naini Setalvad delineates the benefits and method of intermittent fasting for leading a healthier and more spiritually enriching life

- Naini Setalvad

It's a dirty world out there-and inside our bodies too! We accumulate toxins from our we eat, and by physical contact. We are exposed to air pollution, water pollution, radiation, and lack of sleep, all of which cause stress. We consume sugar and refined foods in excess and abuse our bodies with various stimulants and sedatives.

Stress triggers our body's fight-or-flight response, a primitive biochemical reaction that puts our body on red alert. If stress continues, our body reaches the 'alarm stage,' disrupting the functioning of the immune and circulatory systems. Our body becomes less efficient at eliminating toxins, thereby increasing our toxic overload. This can give rise to depression, irritability, poor performance, anxiety, mood swings, acidity, constipation, cardiovascular problems, and degenerative diseases, including cancer.

The best way to strengthen our body's natural defences is to pay attention to our diet and its effect on our body. Here is where fasting comes into play.

According to the Indian tradition, one should stop eating by sunset and 'break fast' three hours post sunrise. This automatically means 12-15 hours of fasting. This norm gave the body rest and detoxified toxic materials and waste products, thus opening the pathway to natural self-healing and spiritual progress. Recently, this practice has gained tremendous popularity under the name of intermittent fasting. Here, an eating window of eight hours in 24 hours is provided during which two meals are allowed. No other consumption of food is allowed inbetween, except for an occasional tomato or a glass of buttermilk, This strict regulation of meal times helps balance the blood sugar levels in the body and brings diabetes under control.

Benefits of intermittent fasting