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| - Last Updated on January 23, 2025 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
An Instagram video claims that fasting can cure diseases of all kinds. It suggests that fasting is a powerful treatment for any illness. We did the fact check and found this claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
According to an Instagram video, fasting can cure diseases. It promotes fasting as an effective method to enhance immunity, prevent diseases, and act as a universal treatment technique. The video implies that fasting can be a panacea, capable of addressing a wide range of health issues from common colds to chronic diseases.
Fact Check
What does Ayurveda say about fasting?
Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine from India, sees fasting as a helpful practice but not a universal remedy for illnesses. Ayurvedic texts promote fasting to cleanse the body, improve digestion, and balance the doshas (body energies). Different fasting approaches are recommended based on individual constitutions (doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha).
For example, individuals with a predominance of Kapha dosha may find regular fasting more beneficial, whereas those with a Pitta constitution are cautioned against prolonged fasting due to their strong digestive system. Ayurveda stresses that fasting should be personalised to suit individual needs and integrated into a holistic health routine, rather than considered a standalone cure for diseases.
On a similar note, some claims suggest that eating 3 or more meals a day can make you sick. But this is not true.
Should you fast when a season is about to change?
Ayurveda suggests adjusting your diet and lifestyle during seasonal transitions to maintain balance and prevent seasonal illnesses. Fasting can promote longevity according to some studies. Fasting or eating lighter meals during these times can help your body adapt to seasonal changes. But still, Ayurveda doesn’t endorse fasting as a direct cure for diseases. Instead, these practices optimise health and prevent imbalances that might otherwise lead to illness.
Can fasting prevent dengue and malaria, as claimed in the video?
No, not really. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that fasting can prevent diseases like dengue and malaria, which are caused by viruses and parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. Prevention of mosquito-borne illnesses needs measures such as mosquito control, using insect repellents, sleeping under mosquito nets, and eliminating mosquito breeding sites.
Fasting does not play a role in preventing these infections. Such claims can be misleading and dangerous. They can divert the attention from proven preventive strategies that have been validated through scientific research.
Can fasting improve immunity?
No, not exactly. Intermittent fasting has been studied for its potential benefits to the immune system, such as reducing inflammation and enhancing cellular repair processes through a mechanism known as autophagy. However, even though intermittent fasting may support immune health in certain individuals, there is no conclusive evidence that it can cure diseases or provide universal protection against illnesses.
The effectiveness of the immune system is influenced by various factors including genetics, overall health, nutrition, and environmental factors. Although intermittent fasting may contribute to overall health and wellness, it should not be your sole method for disease prevention or treatment.
Can fasting cure chronic diseases?
No, it may not ‘cure’ chronic diseases. Research indicates that intermittent fasting can improve metabolic health by enhancing insulin sensitivity and helping in weight loss. It can be especially beneficial for conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity, but it is not a ‘cure’ for chronic diseases. It should be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes medical supervision, appropriate medications, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications.
Successfully managing chronic diseases requires a holistic approach that addresses multiple contributing factors. Although intermittent fasting shows potential health benefits, you should approach it cautiously and under the guidance of healthcare professionals.
One fake post shows a viral message on WhatsApp that talks about a company named Medbed which has created a machine that can be used to “pick up any disease and cure it in 2.5 minutes.
According to a social media post eliminating oil from your diet can prevent severe chronic diseases for life.
What do the experts say?
Dr Annusuiya Gohil, MD Scholar, All India Institute of Ayurveda, shares her expertise, “According to Ayurveda, there is a concept known as Langhana, which detoxifies the body, making it stronger and thus improving immunity. However, Langhana does not purely mean fasting. It means keeping your body light by eating only as much as needed to survive, rather than stuffing it with unnecessary food or overeating. Langhana is usually compared to fasting, but it is not purely fasting. One should eat proper food to stay healthy. Langhana is a powerful treatment for many diseases, but it does not completely fit the modern definition of fasting.”
Dr Ubaid ur Rahman, a General Physician, at Holy Mission Clinic, New Delhi, says, “It’s important to clarify that while fasting and fasting-mimicking diets may offer some health benefits, they are not a cure-all for diseases. You should approach these dietary choices carefully. People should focus on broader health regimen that includes balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and medical guidance as needed.”
Is fasting safe for everyone?
Fasting is not suitable for everyone and needs careful consideration. This is especially true for individuals dealing with medical conditions such as diabetes, eating disorders, or pregnancy. It’s important for people with these conditions or those taking medications that affect blood sugar levels to seek advice from healthcare professionals before starting a fasting regimen.
Individual reactions to intermittent fasting differ, and we need more long-term studies to gauge how well it works. Despite this, emerging evidence emphasises the potential of intermittent fasting as a useful tool in the fight against obesity. It indicates that further exploration and improvement in dietary approaches are worthwhile.
Those thinking about fasting should also be mindful of potential risks, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and impacts on metabolic health. It’s important to understand that fasting should never be seen as a substitute for essential medical treatments. Always prioritise your health and consult with professionals before making any significant changes to your diet or health routine.
Can fasting help with cancer treatment?
Fasting shows promise in enhancing cancer treatment effectiveness and reducing side effects by potentially weakening cancer cells while protecting normal cells. However, these benefits are still being researched, and fasting should not be relied upon as the sole treatment for cancer. It’s important to discuss fasting with an oncologist as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy. Some emerging evidence suggests fasting could limit cancer cell growth and improve therapy outcomes. But, fasting cannot cure cancer. Having said that, our understanding of its interaction with cancer biology remains limited.
Periodic fasting or fasting-mimicking diets (FMDs) show potent anticancer effects in mouse models by enhancing cancer treatment effectiveness and triggering anticancer immunity. FMD cycles are more feasible than chronic diets because they allow regular food intake and prevent severe weight loss and potential harm to the immune and endocrine systems. However, as standalone therapies, fasting or FMDs may have little efficacy against established tumours compared to combined treatments with cancer drugs, which have shown significant success in achieving cancer-free survival in mice. Therefore, combining periodic FMD cycles with standard cancer treatments holds the highest potential to promote cancer-free survival in patients, as suggested by preclinical models (early research).
What are the benefits of fasting?
Intermittent fasting (IF) offers several health benefits, including promoting weight loss without the need for strict calorie counting. It can also reduce insulin resistance, helping in managing blood sugar levels and potentially lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes. IF has shown promise in decreasing markers of inflammation, which is linked to chronic diseases. Moreover, animal studies indicate that fasting may enhance brain health by increasing the production of BDNF, a hormone that supports nerve cell growth. However, it’s important to note that much of the current research relies on small or short-term studies, often conducted in animals. More high quality human studies are necessary to fully understand the long-term impacts and benefits of fasting.
Conclusion
Although fasting has potential health benefits, the claim that fasting can cure diseases is not supported by conclusive evidence. Telling people that fasting can improve immunity and provide protection against dengue and malaria is misleading. Fasting can contribute to a healthy lifestyle when individuals approach it responsibly. You can integrate it into a routine that includes balanced nutrition and regular physical activity, with necessary medical supervision.
It is also essential to consult your physician before starting any fasting regimen, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions. Fasting should complement, not replace, conventional medical treatments prescribed by qualified healthcare providers. We suggest you to avoid trusting arbitrary videos on social media, as they may be potentially harmful, considering they do not always come from a healthcare professional.
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