Despite vast research into the subject, researchers are still not clear exactly why aging occurs. One of the most interesting theories of aging involves metabolism – or the bodily process of turning food into energy. Evidence shows that a faster metabolism causes faster aging. By temporarily reducing metabolism through fasting, you can slow aging.
Over 100 years ago, a scientist named Max Rubner found a link between metabolism and longevity. Smaller organisms, which typically use more calories per body mass than larger animals, die much sooner. He came to believe that all organisms are endowed with a limited amount of potential energy. When that energy is used up, the organism dies. The faster the energy is used (i.e. fast metabolism), the faster an organism will age.
This theory is now backed by numerous studies which show that practices which reduce metabolism can actually reduce the pace of aging. Most notably, fasting – the practice of depriving oneself of food for a certain period of time – is shown to cause boosts in human growth hormone (HGH) and decreases in insulin. Both of these natural chemicals have an impact on our aging process.
When we deprive ourselves of food (whether intentionally or as the result of famine), our bodies react by preserving any food it is given. Metabolism slows down drastically to help conserve energy. During this period of fasting, our bodies have reduced insulin levels because there is no high load of sugars to trigger an insulin spike. Insulin is considered a repellent of human growth hormone and the two do not spike together. So, when insulin levels drop, HGH levels increase.
HGH is one of the most talked-about anti-aging treatments. The hormone not only controls the rate at which cells divide (thus the age of our cells), but also produces these other benefits:
By practicing regular fasting, one can boost HGH and therefore slow aging as well as reduce many of the existing signs of aging. Fasting is also a good way to cleanse the body of toxins which can damage cells and result in aging signs. However, fasting should always be approached with caution and not be performed in a period where you have a high work load or other demands.
Each person should contact his or her health practitioner for individualized advice on how to perform an anti-aging fast. In general though, you should start adjusting to fasting by allowed 12 hours between your first and last meals of the day and not eating anything in between. This timeframe allows your body 4 hours to finish digestion and another 8 hours for your liver to detoxify the body. After you succeed in this short anti-aging fast, you can gradually increase your fasting time to full days.