Longevity Series Part 2: Fasting!
So WHY should you fast?
Fasting stimulates a detoxification process in your body. This process stimulates your cells to start “cleaning house”. Your cells are stimulated to clean out damaged cellular components, recycle cellular debris and/or regenerate new cells. This process is called autophagy.
Your body needs to be in a state of want or adversity in order to stimulate autophagy. So, yes, you have to suffer through this.
Can fasting make you live longer?
The anti-aging proteins in our body that are activated during fasting are called sirtuins. Sirtuins are proteins that repair DNA damage and maintain the epigenome. Your epigenome regulates genetic activity and determines which genes are turned on and which are turned off. The cleaner you can keep your genes, the less likely that you will suffer from genetic mutation or dysfunction.
As a result, sirtuins can help fight disease, slow down the effects of aging and increase your longevity.
What should not be on your plate?
The big killer is sugar!!
Two reasons why sugar spikes are bad for you.
- Sugar attaches to proteins which makes them gum up and stick to your body parts thus causing problems such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
- Sugar spikes shut off your body’s protective mechanisms for aging.
Our bodies’ anti-aging genes get shut off by consistent and excessive sugar in your bloodstream. Eating three meals a day plus snacks decreases your bodies anti-aging and defense mechanism thus making you susceptible to disease
So how long should you fast?
Fasting should be for 16 hours minimum. The longer you fast and the more adversity you experience, the more you will stimulate your sirtuins and the process of autophagy. During the process of fasting, it’s important to still get the nutrition that you need WITHOUT the calories. Products such as Athletic Greens are a great option.
Remember that you need to stay hydrated. Drink more water or tea to offset hunger. If you need a snack, then eat a handful of nuts.
A great starting point would be to eat dinner early or to not eat anything after 8:00 PM. If you skip breakfast and start your day with your Athletic Greens, then you could easily get your 16 hours if you eat lunch at noon the next day.
So then what SHOULD you eat?
A study in 2020 showed that if you switch to a Mediterranean type diet before the age of 80 years old it will decrease your mortality or chance of death by 30%!
Dietary Changes to make:
- Limit sugar (sugar only end of meal) Stop sugar snacks.
- Daily fasting.
- Limit meat. Stop all processed meats.
- Eat colorful organic veggies.
- Eat plant based diet
- Mediterranean type diet. Olive oil.
- Red wine (most Resveratrol in Pinot Noir due to a fungus that grows on the grapes)
However, as we have shared before, consuming even 1 drink per day has a NEGATIVE impact on your health. So get your Resveratrol with supplements . (We will discuss supplements later)
Hope that helps!
Listen to David Sinclair,PhD in his Lifespan podcast to get more information.
Best In Health!
Your OrthoWell family
P.S. Any pain? Come on in for some some TLC. Our manual therapy only session is just $50. We can Graston, Cup, and Stretch out the tight and get you feelin’ right! ha