Sonara
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- Oct 2, 2008
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Fasting 'could lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes'
The 30 volunteers fasted for 24 hours and only drank water. This encouraged the body to start burning up fat cells (posed)
Fasting can lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes, researchers claim.
A study found that periodic fasting not only decreases the risk of heart problems and diabetes, but can also lower blood sugar levels.
Triglycerides (a type of fat), weight, and blood sugar levels all lowered after participants fasted for 24-hours and just drank water.
Scientists from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute said the findings supported a previous study which suggested fasting could be good for your health.
Lead author Dr Benjamin Horne, said: 'These new findings demonstrate that our original discovery was not a chance event.
'The confirmation among a new set of patients that fasting is associated with lower risk of these common diseases raises new questions about how fasting itself reduces risk or if it simply indicates a healthy lifestyle.'
The researchers looked at how the body behaved during the fasting period, and found that the level of cholesterol - both the 'good' and 'bad' versions of the molecule - actually increased during the 24 hours without food.
However, this could lower the risk of diabetes as it means the body is less likely to struggle with regulating blood sugar levels.
Presenting the new research at the American College of Cardiology, Horne said: 'Fasting causes hunger or stress. In response, the body releases more cholesterol, allowing it to utilize fat as a source of fuel, instead of glucose. This decreases the number of fat cells in the body.
'This is important because the fewer fat cells a body has, the less likely it will experience insulin resistance, or diabetes.'
The study saw 30 volunteers consume nothing but water for 24 hours, then pursue a normal diet over the same period.
Blood tests and other physical measurements were made throughout the period to calculate cardiac risk factors and markers of metabolic risk.
However,
The 30 volunteers fasted for 24 hours and only drank water. This encouraged the body to start burning up fat cells (posed)
Fasting can lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes, researchers claim.
A study found that periodic fasting not only decreases the risk of heart problems and diabetes, but can also lower blood sugar levels.
Triglycerides (a type of fat), weight, and blood sugar levels all lowered after participants fasted for 24-hours and just drank water.
Scientists from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute said the findings supported a previous study which suggested fasting could be good for your health.
Lead author Dr Benjamin Horne, said: 'These new findings demonstrate that our original discovery was not a chance event.
'The confirmation among a new set of patients that fasting is associated with lower risk of these common diseases raises new questions about how fasting itself reduces risk or if it simply indicates a healthy lifestyle.'
The researchers looked at how the body behaved during the fasting period, and found that the level of cholesterol - both the 'good' and 'bad' versions of the molecule - actually increased during the 24 hours without food.
However, this could lower the risk of diabetes as it means the body is less likely to struggle with regulating blood sugar levels.
Presenting the new research at the American College of Cardiology, Horne said: 'Fasting causes hunger or stress. In response, the body releases more cholesterol, allowing it to utilize fat as a source of fuel, instead of glucose. This decreases the number of fat cells in the body.
'This is important because the fewer fat cells a body has, the less likely it will experience insulin resistance, or diabetes.'
The study saw 30 volunteers consume nothing but water for 24 hours, then pursue a normal diet over the same period.
Blood tests and other physical measurements were made throughout the period to calculate cardiac risk factors and markers of metabolic risk.
However,
