Dr. Zack here from Revive Chiropractic & Wellness in Jacksonville, FL. I hope this message finds you feeling well. This week, we’re diving into a topic that has gained significant attention in health circles: fasting. Understanding how fasting can positively impact your body is key to supporting your overall wellness, and I’m excited to share insights with you.
What is Fasting?
Fasting involves voluntarily abstaining from food (or certain types of food) for a set period of time. While this may sound intimidating, fasting, when done properly, offers a variety of health benefits. Whether you're aiming to improve digestion, boost energy, or support detoxification, fasting can be a great addition to your wellness journey.
The Science Behind Fasting
When you fast, your body enters a "repair mode," shifting into processes that focus on cellular healing. Here’s how it works:
Cellular Repair: Fasting helps your cells detoxify, clear out waste, and repair themselves, which promotes long-term health.
Autophagy: This is when your cells remove damaged or malfunctioning components, helping prevent disease development and promoting overall vitality.
Improved Insulin Sensitivity: Fasting improves your body's ability to manage insulin, which can support weight management and reduce the risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes.
Hormonal Balance: Fasting can boost growth hormone, supporting fat loss and muscle gain, and contributing to overall hormonal health.
How to Safely Incorporate Fasting into Your Routine
Here are two popular fasting approaches you can consider:
Intermittent Fasting (IF): Sometimes comparable to Timed Eating, this approach involves fasting for 16-18 hours and eating during a 6-8 hour window. For example, you might eat from noon to 6/8 pm (I recommend the last meal be closer to 6pm). Intermittent fasting can improve digestion, help with weight management, and support overall health.
Extended Fasts: These longer fasting periods (24-120 hours) should be approached carefully and under professional guidance. Extended fasting can aid in deep detoxification and metabolic reset, but it’s important to work with a healthcare provider when considering this option.
Fasting Considerations for Your Health
Fasting is not easy for everyone. Always listen to your body, and check with your healthcare provider if you have specific conditions, such as pregnancy, a history of eating disorders, or chronic health issues. Women may find fasting more challenging initially, but with the right strategies, fasting can become a beneficial practice!
Tips for Fasting Success
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to support detoxification and keep your body properly hydrated during fasting. When I teach on “hydration” it must include minerals. If your water doesn’t have minerals, you are missing out on the electrolytes and nutrients your body needs during a fast. If your water is filtered of most minerals, you can add mineral drops to enhance your water.
Avoid Overeating After Fasting: While it’s tempting to overindulge, it’s essential to nourish your body with a balanced, nutritious meal after fasting. Focus on high-fiber/low sugar foods, probiotic-rich foods (or supplements), and clean protein sources.
Start Slowly: If you’re new to fasting, begin with shorter fasting periods and gradually increase the length as your body adapts.
Chiropractic Care & Fasting in Jacksonville, FL
At Revive Chiropractic & Wellness, we understand the power of a holistic approach to health. Chiropractic care can enhance the benefits of fasting by improving your nervous system function, supporting digestion, and optimizing your body's ability to heal. If you're in Jacksonville and curious about how chiropractic adjustments can complement your fasting efforts, don’t hesitate to reach out!
I hope this information empowers you to make healthier choices on your journey toward wellness. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
Wishing you health and vitality,
Dr. Zack Stalnaker
Revive Chiropractic & Wellness – Jacksonville, FL
CALL: 904-996-2243
EMAIL: info@revivechirowellness.com
SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT: Click HERE to schedule online!