Intermittent fasting is a practice that dates back centuries and plays a central role in many cultures and religions. Most types of fasting are performed over 24 to 72 hours. However, another type of fasting is focused on skipping one or two meals daily called Intermittent fasting. In this blog, we will cover all questions surrounding fasting like 

• What is Fasting
• How is fasting different from Intermittent fasting
• Fasting vs. Eating less
• Different methods of fasting
• Most Ultimate Benefits of Fasting 
• What are the Myths around it?

Fasting is the willful abstaining from eating for some time. Usually, a person is assumed to abstain from food for around 10 to 12 hours which is the time gap between dinner and breakfast. However, fasting requires a longer duration of restricting food intake. 

Religious and Historical connection

• This therapy has links to many religious views as well. Like in Hinduism, Fasting is a very integral part of the religion. Individuals observe different kinds of fasts based on personal beliefs and local customs, like fast on certain days of the month, such as Ekadasi, Pradosha, or Purnima.
• In Buddhism as well, the monks and nuns follow the rules of Vinaya, which commonly means not to eat every day after the noon meal. It was considered a disciplined routine is aiding in mediation and good health. 
• In Christianity, fasting is practiced in several Christian denominations. It is performed collectively during certain seasons of the “Christian calendar.” 
• If you look at the history, fasting has been used therapeutically since at least the 5th century BCE, when Greek physician Hippocrates recommended self-restraint from food or drink for the patients who exhibited certain symptoms of illness. This theory can be backed by the testimonial of great Greek scholar Plato who said, “Instead of using medicine, rather fast a day.” He fasted for greater physical and mental efficiency. Even great physicians like Galen and Avicenna prescribed fasting therapy to their patients.

Ayurveda and Science on Fasting

• Ayurveda recognizes that fasting encourages digestive fire with the exclusion of blockage in the channel, which helps in reducing of effects of any disease. Ayurveda guides three therapies for wellbeing and health, i.e., spiritual, psychological, and physical. Many experts believe that fasting is a mixture of all these three. According to Ayurveda, digestion is like a fire. If you dump too much fuel on the fire all at once, you will put out the fire. Fasting is a powerful approach to ignite the digestive fire, which leads to burning away all accumulated toxins saturated in the body and mind. It likewise wipes out gas with enhancing mental clarity of fasting individual which leads to better health.
• From a scientific perspective, fasting is has been considered an effective way for weight loss and clearing out toxins from the body. A good detox or cleansing program assists your body in getting rid of old sludge accumulated in your intestines over the years. It gives a good rest to your organs, especially your overworked digestive system. In the context of weight loss, people who are overweight have large quantities of insulin floating in their bodies, which not only converts the excess glucose into fat but also holds the fat in place. Also, insulin inhibits the functioning of hormone-sensitive lipase, a hormone whose main work is to burn the stored fat for energy. This hormone also plays a vital role in burning off the fat surrounding the liver, which is most common among people suffering from obesity.