Page 14 - Seniorstoday October 2022 Issue

Talking of fasting, many would be 9) Shifting calory intake – 1800 for
knowing about ‘autophagy’, a Nobel award breakfast, 1200 for lunch and 800 for
winning study by Yoshinori Ohsumi, dinner.
a Japanese scientist. His finding is that 10) Limiting non vegetarian food to one or
when we fast rigorously for 24 to 48 to two days in a week
72 hours (will depend from case to case 11) Vegan
– should be done under medical advice), 12) Atkins or Keto or South Sea or
cells break down old and useless proteins Mediterranean or similar
and reuse them for energy. Healthier cells The choice of the diet will depend on
eat the dysfunctional or inefficient cells to the health parameters of individuals and
regenerate new healthy cells. Autophagy should preferably be done under medical
has been known to prevent or cure chronic advice.
disorders, cancer and other infectious
diseases. Benefits of autophagy are similar
to those of the severe penance followed by
rishis and sages of yore and even today
by some across India and some Asian
countries.
There are several fasting methods (only
illustrative ) one can consider:
1) Fasting one day every week, either the
full day or mornings or nights
2) Having only alkaline fruits on select days
in a week.
3) Intermittent fasting – going without
food variously for 16 hours or 12 hours or 8
hours in a period of 24 hours
4) Setting a regimen for different days of
the week – like only carbs on one day, only
fruits on another day, only vegetables on As with anything else in life, moderation
the third day, only nuts on the fourth day, is the trick, not swinging to extremes.
regular all-in food on the fifth day and so Overindulgence can lead to acidity as can
on. underindulgence. The body too has its own
5) Rigorous fasting including not having limitations and response mechanisms. At
water (only those who can manage ) for one the end of the day, its best to have food as
or two days in a month. medicines rather than having medicines as
6) Regular food for lunch and only fruits or food. Fasting is but a natural alternative to
salad for dinner medicines. Let us test our resolve during
7) Heavy breakfast, medium lunch and the upcoming Deepavali and Christmas and
light dinner try tempering our consumption of all the
8) Very small portions 4 to 6 times a day, festival goodies, sweets and calories.
with a gap of around 3 hours in-between A sound body in a sound mind is possible
each. with a ‘Fast to Aarogyam’

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