What happens in the body when we fast & bull; hello healthy

Muslims are required to limit food, drink and smoking while fasting. Apart from the religious side, there are several questions that arise about fasting, especially regarding whether fasting is beneficial for health. To answer this, we must know what things happen in the body during our fasting.

Lifestyle changes during this whole month, both in diet, sleep, and daily physical activity, cause many changes in the body. starting from changes in physiology (related to body composition and organ function), hematology (related to blood and fluids), and blood biochemistry (related to body electrolytes). We call this the "physiology of fasting."

Fasting reduces weight and cholesterol in the body

The changes that occur in the body when fasting will vary, depending on the length of time we fast. Technically, the body just enters the "fasting phase" after 8 hours of the last meal, where the intestines finish absorbing various kinds of nutrients from food.

Under normal conditions, the body's glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as the main energy source. During fasting, it is this storage of glucose that is burned first to supply energy for our bodies, so that we can carry out activities as usual.

After this storage is used up, fat is the next source of energy. Even though in fact, the glucose storage in the liver is not fully depleted, there is still some residue as energy reserves if needed at any time and perform other functions in the liver.

If fasting is prolonged, the body is forced to use protein as an energy source. The use of protein as an energy source is unhealthy. This is because the protein that is broken down comes from the muscles, so that the muscles over time become small and weak.

However, during the fasting month of Ramadan, we only fast for approximately 13-14 hours, right at the time the energy source changes from liver glucose to fat, as the second source of energy. Ramadan fasting does not cause protein breakdown, so our muscle composition will not decrease.

The use of this fat is very beneficial in weight loss as well as lowering blood cholesterol. Weight loss leads to better diabetes control and lower blood pressure. Meanwhile, lowering blood cholesterol prevents a person from various metabolic diseases such as obesity, coronary heart disease and stroke.

Is it true that fasting triggers the detoxification process?

The detoxification process also occurs in the body during fasting. Various kinds of toxins (poisons) stored in fat are broken down and can be removed from the body.

After several days of fasting, there are hormones that increase, namely endorphins. This hormone, known as the happiness hormone, causes improved alertness, cognitive power and mental health.

However, limiting fluid intake can cause our bodies to lose some of the body's electrolytes. A study Attarzadeh Hosseini SR et al (2013) showed that there was a decrease in the composition of water and potassium during fasting.

However, this fluid restriction has been replaced by kidney function which is very efficient at regulating fluid and electrolyte balance, so that we do not fall into a state of dehydration during fasting.

What happens to the organs of the body when we fast

So, to see some changes in organ function during fasting, let's look at the following explanation.

Mouth

The production of the salivary glands keeps on working to prevent the mouth from falling into dry conditions. This is to reduce the chance of bad breath.

Stomach

Decreased stomach acid production. This is to prevent the acid from eroding the stomach wall in the absence of ground food, so that stomach ulcers can be avoided.

Liver

Breaks down glucose stores as the first energy source.

Gall bladder

Concentrate bile in preparation for fat metabolism at the time of breaking the fast.

Pancreas

Under normal circumstances, the pancreas functions to produce insulin, a hormone that converts glucose from food so that it can be stored as an energy reserve.

During fasting, insulin production stops and this hormone tells the liver to break down glucose stores present in the liver. Production digestive juice also decreased.

Small intestine

Production of processed food stops, the process of nutrient absorption stops and there are only regular small bowel movements every 4 hours.

Colon

Water absorption is controlled to maintain fluid balance.

In order to stay healthy when we fast

A balanced intake of food and drinks plays an important role during fasting. To prevent the breakdown of muscle protein, our diet should consist of food sources of energy, such as adequate carbohydrates and fats. The intake of these two substances must not be less or excessive because it will affect the physiological process of fasting.

Likewise fluid intake, especially water consumption. Adequate water consumption of 2500 ml / 24 hours or the equivalent of 8 glasses of water / day helps the kidneys not to overwork.

By understanding the changes in the body during fasting, we are able to wisely meet the needs of our bodies. Happy healthy fasting!