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Hello, everyone.

I am Yoko Maeda, a certified aesthetic medicine specialist at BIANCA.

 

 

I received the question, "Fasting is popular, but is it good for your health?" Fasting refers to abstaining from food for a certain period of time.

 

This time, I'll share my perspective on fasting as a cosmetic physician.

 

 

What are the effects of fasting?

   

Many people are probably wondering what effects fasting actually has. Fasting can offer the following health benefits:

 

 

The strong association of fasting with dieting stems from its ability to enhance fat-burning effects.

 

Our bodies primarily use glucose and ketone bodies as energy sources, but ketone bodies are not produced when we consume large amounts of carbohydrates in our diet. Ketone bodies are typically produced during periods of starvation, when fat and muscle are broken down to be used as energy sources. By fasting and temporarily restricting food intake to enter a ketogenic state, you can enhance the effectiveness of your diet.

 

 

Is fasting good for your body? Or bad?

 

 

The basic modern eating pattern is almost always excessive. Moderately restricting calories through fasting can be beneficial for many people's health. While it's hard to say definitively how many meals a day constitutes overeating since it depends on the content of those meals, eating five or more times a day—including snacks—is likely excessive.

 

In fact, studies have shown that the fewer times you eat, the longer you live. According to the research, the fewer daily meals you have, the lower your risk of illness, and it's better for your health.

People who snack aimlessly without setting specific times or who have made daily snacking a habit will likely see significant health benefits just by stopping these habits.

 

 

Do results differ depending on the fasting period?

 

 

Fasting can range from a week-long period to a single day of abstinence. The difference in effects based on duration is also a point of interest.

 

To get straight to the point, the effectiveness varies somewhat depending on how long you continue. You won't achieve a ketogenic state—where fat burning increases—unless you fast for a certain period. The timing for reaching ketosis varies from person to person, but for example, a one-day fast might end before you reach that state. Continuing for a longer period generally yields greater results.

 

 

Is the purpose of fasting solely for weight loss?

 

 

Fasting is not solely intended to lose weight by abstaining from food, but it often leads to weight loss as a result.

 

If you're naturally overweight, incorporating fasting into your routine is certainly a good idea for weight loss. Leaving obesity untreated increases the risk of worsening lifestyle-related diseases, damaging blood vessels, and eventually leading to conditions like arteriosclerosis. By adopting fasting to lose weight, you can achieve a healthier body.

 

For individuals of average build, we recommend incorporating fasting primarily for disease prevention rather than weight loss. By improving your constitution through fasting, you can achieve a body less susceptible to illness.

 

The effects of fasting vary depending on the duration, which we'll explain in our next blog post. We'll also introduce recommended methods for beginners and the steps for fasting, so be sure to check it out.

 

If you have any concerns about beauty, dieting, or health, please feel free to consult BIANCA. We're also happy to answer any questions you may have about fasting.