Health: Positive and Negative effects of Fasting.

Fasting is a situation where an individual starves himself or herself in order to achieve a particular aim or target.

It can be whether you don't have food or for Christian reason.

Fasting in the Christian fraternity, is a very special moment to be before God and communicate with him.

But according to science and health, fasting is very important and it has both positive and negative effects.

Here are some benefits of fasting;

Health Benefits of Fasting:

Although fasting can be challenging and sometimes uncomfortable, the mental and physical benefits can:

- Boost cognitive performance

- Protect from obesity and associated chronic diseases

- Reduce inflammation

- Improve overall fitness

- Support weight loss

- Decrease the risk of metabolic diseases

- Benefit cancer patients — A recent study with mice and cancer showed that fasting during chemotherapy jump-starts the immune system and exposes the cancer cells. Ridding the body of old, toxic cells and replacing with new, healthy ones may be just the answer. Traditionally, cancer patients have been told to increase nutrients and caloric intake while undergoing chemotherapy treatments but this approach might now be under review.

Dangers of Fasting for Weight Loss:

When you dramatically reduce your calorie intake, you will lose weight. But it can also cause all kinds of health problems, including muscle loss. Further, when you start fasting, your body goes into conservation mode, burning calories more slowly.

Keep in mind that the initial weight lost on a fast is primarily fluid or "water weight," not fat. And when you go back to eating, any lost weight usually gets a return ticket back. Not only do most people regain weight lost on a fast, they tend to add a few extra pounds because a slower metabolism makes it easier to gain weight. Worse, the weight that is regained is likely to be all fat -- lost muscle has to be added back at the gym.

Side effects of fasting include dizziness, headaches, low blood sugar, muscle aches, weakness, and fatigue. Prolonged fasting can lead to anemia, a weakened immune system, liver and kidney problems, and irregular heartbeat. Fasting can also result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, muscle breakdown, and diarrhea. When you drink laxative concoctions during a fast, there is an increased risk of fluid imbalance and dehydration.

The risks get more complicated and severe the longer you stay on a fast, or if you repeatedly go on fasts.

Compiled by Che Tsatsu Sorkpor