Fasting Affects Metabolism, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, and Blood Fat: Healing Practice

Fasting for the therapy and prevention of metabolic diseases

An unbalanced diet is in most cases at the origin of type 2 diabetes Y obesity involved. Voluntary starvation periods like this intermittent fasting help prevent obesity and diabetes and help treat existing metabolic diseases.

The latest findings on type 2 diabetes and obesity were presented at the 2022 Diabetes Congress. Diabetes Expert professor dr re. of course Esteban Herzig from the Helmholtz Diabetes Center Munich reports on the current scientific status on the subject “positive effects of voluntary fasting“.

Fasting used to be part of everyday life.

the modern nutrition It is characterized by the constant availability of high-calorie foods. Highly processed ready meals are often cheaper than fresh, healthy produce like vegetables or fruit.

In the past, however, humans had to rely heavily on seasonal and regional factors. We cooked from what was available. Occasional periods of hunger were part of everyday life.

Of metabolism therefore, he was trained to use and store food energy as efficiently as possible. As several studies have already shown, this effect can be used to counteract metabolic diseases.

During fasting, energy production changes

Because during fasting, the body relies on getting its energy from other sources. in the first step Burned fat instead of sugarduring long periods of fasting broken down protein.

“Under the influence of certain hunger hormones, such as glucagon or cortisol, the body uses the breakdown of fats and, if you are hungry for a long time, also the breakdown of proteins to increase the production of sugar in the liver” .confirms Professor Herzig.

Among other things, this conversion favors the development of certain energy sources. “So-called ketone bodies are formed in the liver, which can then be used by the brain as an energy provider, for example.”explains the diabetes expert.

Health benefits of fasting

according to dr. Herzig, many people could date depending on their physical condition Benefit of fasting or intermittent fasting. However, abstaining from eating does not necessarily lead to weight loss.

“In any case However, positive effects like one appear lower blood pressure and a Improvement in blood glucose and lipid levels“the teacher points out.

Fasting to treat diabetes and obesity

As part of a clinical study conducted by the Heidelberg University Hospital and the Helmholtz Diabetes Center in Munich, the scientists involved have shown that periods of starvation can have a therapeutic effect on existing long-term diabetes damage.

For example, by fasting, those affected could kidney function in diabetic nephropathy to improve.

The immune system is involved in the fasting process.

“The immune system also plays an important role in the positive effects of fasting, as we recently discovered at the Munich Helmholtz Diabetes Center.”emphasizes Dr. abundant.

As the researchers showed, liver cells and immune cells communicate with each other during fasting periods. “Therefore, immune cells can directly influence the effect of fasting on our metabolism”concludes the diabetes expert.

The Helmholtz Diabetes Center in Munich, together with other institutions, is currently developing effective therapies against metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity based on the latest findings. positive effects of fasting established. (verb)