TheStack

A study was recently conducted across a group of Mormons, who in observance of their faith, fast one day of every month. The results of the study suggest that following an intermittent fasting diet may also reduce your risk of heart disease by a factor of 40%, and also reduce the chance of developing diabetes. Basically, during a fasting session, the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) rise, as do LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol numbers. This was observed to be temporary in nature, and although sounding catastrophic, the raises were insignificant enough to ensure that they did not endanger the lives of the study group. The positive results from the intermittent fasting study were that the subjects also had major reductions in dangerous blood fats known as triglycerides. Major reductions in blood sugar levels were also experienced, a huge benefit for diabetes sufferers. During an intermittent fasting session, the body attempts to preserve its cells and tissue, using fats instead of sugars for fuel. Although the jury is out on whether fasting can be used as a treatment for heart disease, but the research findings are certainly positive in nature. The major results coming out of these studies is that that those who fast have a lower incidence of diabetes and heart disease, but further research will be required to validate the findings.