Fasting

Fasting is the act of willingly (and generally briefly) abstaining from all food and in some cases drink , or in other cases from certain types or groups of food (e.g. meat ).

Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food , drink , or both, for a period of time. A fast may be total or partial concerning that from which one fasts, and may be prolonged or intermittent as to the period of fasting. Fasting practices may preclude sexual activity as well as food, in addition to refraining from eating certain types or groups of foods; for example, one might refrain from eating meat . A complete fast in its traditional definition is abstinence of all food and liquids. In a medical context fasting may refer to (1) the metabolic status of a person who has not eaten overnight, and (2) to the metabolic state achieved after complete digestion and absorption of a meal. Several metabolic adjustments occur during fasting, and many medical diagnostic tests are standardized for fasting conditions. Many of the metabolic shifts of fasting begin as absorption of a meal is complete (typically 3–5 hours after a meal); "post-absorptive state" is synonymous with this usage, in contrast to the "post-prandial" state of ongoing digestion. A diagnostic fast refers to prolonged fasting (from 8–72 hours depending on age) conducted under medical observation for investigation of a problem, usually hypoglycemia . Finally, extended fasting has been recommended as therapy for various conditions by physicians of most cultures, throughout history, from ancient to modern.

Willing abstinence from some, or reduced consumption of, food, drink or both, for a period of time Fasting is the willful refrainment from eating for a period of time. In a physiological context, fasting may refer to the metabolic status of a person who has not eaten overnight, or to the metabolic state achieved after complete digestion and absorption of a meal. Several metabolic adjustments occur during fasting. Some diagnostic tests are used to determine a fasting state. Metabolic changes of the fasting state begin after absorption of a meal (typically 3–5 hours after eating). A diagnostic fast refers to prolonged fasting from 1 to 100 hours (depending on age) conducted under observation to facilitate the investigation of a health complication, usually hypoglycemia . Many people may also fast as part of a medical procedure or a check-up, such as preceding a colonoscopy or surgery . Fasting may also be part of a religious ritual.

Willing abstinence from, or reduced consumption of, food and/or drink Fasting is the abstention from eating and sometimes drinking. From a purely physiological context, "fasting" may refer to the metabolic status of a person who has not eaten overnight (see " Breakfast "), or to the metabolic state achieved after complete digestion and absorption of a meal. Metabolic changes in the fasting state begin after absorption of a meal (typically 3–5 hours after eating). A diagnostic fast refers to prolonged fasting from 1 to 100 hours (depending on age) conducted under observation to facilitate the investigation of a health complication, usually hypoglycemia . Many people may also fast as part of a medical procedure or a check-up, such as preceding a colonoscopy or surgery , or before certain medical tests. Intermittent fasting is a technique sometimes used for weight loss that incorporates regular fasting into a person's dietary schedule. Fasting may also be part of a religious ritual , often associated with specifically scheduled fast days, as determined by the religion , or by applied as a public demonstration for a given cause in a practice known as a hunger strike .

Willing abstinence from, or reduced consumption of, food and/or drink A glass of water on an empty plate Fasting is the act of refraining from eating , and sometimes drinking . However, from a purely physiological context, "fasting" may refer to the metabolic status of a person who has not eaten overnight (before " breakfast "), or to the metabolic state achieved after complete digestion and absorption of a meal. Metabolic changes in the fasting state begin after absorption of a meal (typically 3–5 hours after eating). A diagnostic fast refers to prolonged fasting from 1–100 hours (depending on age), conducted under observation, to facilitate the investigation of a health complication (usually hypoglycemia ). Many people may also fast as part of a medical procedure or a check-up , such as preceding a colonoscopy or surgery , or before certain medical tests. Intermittent fasting is a technique sometimes used for weight loss or other health benefits that incorporates regular fasting into a person's dietary schedule. Fasting may also be part of a religious ritual , often associated with specific scheduled fast days, as determined by the religion , or be applied as a public demonstration for a given cause, in a practice known as a hunger strike .