Traditional medicine does not consider starvation a treatment, while several alternative practitioners suggest that denial of food for a short period can relieve different illnesses. Thus, an essential purpose of this book is to provide a reliable method by which one can lose weight without harming one’s health. In the book, the authors explain what fasting really is and why it is essential. In addition, they discuss the concept of proper fasting that will improve one’s health. Hence, I will explore whether fasting is actually a healthy option for the human body. I will then research the various starvation methods; special attention will be focused on the effects of fasting on cardiac health. Accordingly, in the book review, I will elaborate on the topic of the study.
Book
Obesity is considered one of the diseases of civilization; high-calorie foods have become available to people, but physical activity has decreased. That is why I chose the book “The complete guide to fasting: Heal your body through intermittent, alternate-day, and extended fasting” by Jimmy Moore and Dr. Jason Fung (Moore & Fung, 2016). The book is a well-designed and evidence-supported text that presents the history and science of starvation.
Two authors wrote the book; one of them is Dr. Jason Fung. Currently, Fung is working as a dip specialist in Toronto (Moore & Fung, 2016). During his clinical practice, he worked with obese patients and developed diets. The second author is Jimmy Moore, a man who has lost weight without hospital remedies but through proper diet and nutrition. He has interviewed more than 1,000 of the world’s top health experts and has consecrated his life to help people obtain the best information about the issues (Moore & Fung, 2016). In this way, together, the two authors provide information from a practical and theoretical point of view, ensuring the data’s reliability. This book is interesting to research for other students and me as it provides weight loss remedies.
Two Topics of Interest
Hunger is beneficial for hemoglobin levels, red blood cell counts, human growth hormone levels, and it also activates cytosis and autophagy (Moore & Fung, 2016). These are the factors that lead to better heart health, in particular reducing the risk of heart failure and coronary heart illness. This chapter of the book is valuable for readers because it can explain the benefits of fasting from a medical point of view (Moore & Fung, 2016). At the same time, my friend, who was overweight and had heart problems, and after reading the book, lost weight and improved her health.
The next theme in the book that should be examined in detail is fasting for weight loss. It is especially relevant to many people because obesity rates have risen enormously over the past 20 years (Moore & Fung, 2016). Consequently, many obese people are appealing to the medical profession for counseling and treatment. Accordingly, readers will appreciate the weight loss ideas in this guidebook. It is interesting to note that my mother had problems with being overweight, but after she read the book, she could reduce her weight through proper fasting. At the same time, a study of Biggest Loser participants found that within thirty weeks, on average, people could lose weight from 329 pounds to 202 pounds (Moore & Fung, 2016). Therefore, it proves that this method of weight loss is extremely valuable for readers.
The article “Intermittent fasting in cardiovascular disorders-an overview” indicates that one type of starvation (intermittent fasting) is a form of time-limited eating that has gained popularity in recent years and promotes better health. However, 16/8 interval hunger, unlike more extended periods of fasting, does not increase the hunger hormone leptin levels, which increases the effectiveness of this technique (Malinowski et al., 2019). Consequently, individuals are enabled to lose weight quickly and at the same time gain potential health advantages. This is especially true for overweight people because they are at risk, and for them, the proper starvation method is significant. The authors support the positive effects of dieting on the cardiovascular system, including the progression of atherosclerosis, benefits for type 2 diabetes, and lowering of blood pressure (Malinowski et al., 2019). The paper also mentions that people with health problems should consult a physician. Thus, the article completely confirms the concept of the book’s writers.
Practice Application
The book had a significant impact on me; I will apply the main advice to improve my health. By reducing calories and using periods of fasting, I can increase my life length. At the same time, I will utilize starvation to affect the biochemical processes in the body. It will help lower blood glucose levels, reduce stress and insulin, and the effects of oxidative damage. At the same time, I will recommend these tips in my professional practice. Therefore, it will permit to influence the health of the body in a non-medicinal way.
References
Malinowski, B., Zalewska, K., Węsierska, A., Sokołowska, M. M., Socha, M., Liczner, G., Pawlak-Osińska, K., & Wiciński, M. (2019). Intermittent fasting in cardiovascular disorders—an overview. Nutrients, 11(3), 673. Web.
Moore, J., & Fung, J. (2016). The complete guide to fasting: Heal your body through intermittent, alternate-day, and extended fasting. Simon and Schuster.