Whether you want to lose weight, feel better, or just boost your health, you should consider doing a 48 hour fast. It is one of the easiest ways to do so, and will give you numerous benefits that you can’t find elsewhere.
Reduces oxidative stress
Various studies have shown that fasting reduces oxidative stress. The effects of fasting on oxidative stress are dependent on the type of fasting and the duration of fasting. In this study, the effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) on oxidative stress were investigated.
The anthropometric and dietary assessments were performed one week prior to the fasting period. During the fasting period, pre- and post-fasting blood samples were collected. Serum samples were examined for lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, oxidative phosphorylation, and inflammation markers. Biochemical measurements were also performed. The urinary 15FIP is a sensitive marker of lipid peroxidation. This marker increases significantly with body weight.
The results showed that females had lower body weights than males. This is likely due to the genetic makeup of the body fat compartment. The urinary creatinine was significantly higher in males, which is expected due to the high protein turnover rates. Similarly, the AST, ALT, and AST/ALT ratios were significantly elevated in CCl4-intoxicated rats. These changes in oxidative stress were also correlated with the alterations in body weight.
Several studies have shown that oxidative stress plays a role in a variety of chronic diseases. The presence of oxidative stress can lead to inflammation and tissue damage. It has been reported that RIF alleviates oxidative stress in healthy volunteers. However, a lack of control nonfasting group makes it difficult to determine whether the changes in oxidative stress are associated with fasting or not. The findings of this study suggest that practicing RIF can reduce oxidative stress, but without the reduction of body weight.
Moreover, the effect of RIF on oxidative stress is mediated by changes in body weight. Consequently, a small sample size suggests that the effects of RIF on 15FIP may be limited to selected participants.