On fasting

Yes, I can do it!  Let's see  now...went to bed at 10pm woke around 6am that's 8 hours in the bag already - my target is a 16 hour fast...why? well...they have proved it with animal experiments
give those rodents less to eat and they... studies on mice reveal a very interesting trend. Individuals which had a diet with the full recommended daily dosage of nutrients but with calorie restriction lived longer if they started on a calorie restricted diet early, just after their growing period. In fact, such a strategy extended life up to an incredible 80% in young animals and still provided a 20-30% increase in lifespan of animals which were already middle-aged by the time their diet was changed.

Yes, live longer and now they are suggesting it is true of humans.  Ok, I don't live in  Okinawa, mores the pity, that part  of  Japan, has the highest number of centenaries in the world, wouldn't you know, I live in dreary old UK. Still, mustn't grumble, I have read up on this, I have '...a very successful strategy for increasing life span is, in fact, calorie restriction. Something as simple as reducing the amount of energy we obtain from food beyond the recommended daily intake levels, while ensuring that the diet still includes enough nutrients.

8 hours already, now if I don't have breakfast I could last till lunch time that would be 14 hours approx', only another two hours after that and I have achieved my 16 hour fast.

What are my views on this, am I being naive, is this another fad? after all, the weight of opinion has it that you have a good breakfast...and when you are 'fasting' like me, aren't I a goody two shoes, yes fasting, will tomorrow's fad be stuff your 'boat rac'e till you feel you are going to implode

...God, foods smells especially delicious when you are 'fasting'.



Only another 8 hours to go...at times like this I think of Samuel Beckett..."I can go on...I must go on....I will go on."


End of frivolous tone.

 On more serious note: Check with your doctor before going on any dramatic fasting or diet.

For there are some hazards to this approach. Calorie restriction is not suitable for children and teenagers, who are in a particular phase of development which requires large energy intake. There is risk of stunted growth and cognitive dysfunction. 

On the other end of the spectrum, the fact that calorie restriction is correlated with moderate loss of bone and muscle mass exposes the elderly to a potentially larger danger of bone fractures and loss of mobility. Moreover, even on healthy adults this is a strategy which requires significant attention, as particular care is needed to ensure the nutritional needs are consistently met.

See reference for informed source:

http://www.javiertordable.com/blog/2012/02/26/calorie-restriction-and-living-longer