A graphic simulation has revealed what can happen to the human body when undergoing a 36-hour fast.
When it comes to losing weight, more and more people are turning to extreme methods, whether it be drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro or doing dangerous diets from the internet.
Although you could argue that a lot of these people are probably already at a healthy weight, some seem to think that fasting is the best way to go about it, and when it's done safely, it can be effective.
While it was once primarily done for religious reasons, primarily during Ramadan, social media has now adopted the technique of giving your body an extended break from food.
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Some try eating one meal a day, others consume nothing but water, but many aim to go around 36 hours before finally giving the body what it's been craving.
Scientific studies have contrasting opinions on the potential benefits of fasting for a day and a half, as more and more corners of the internet are tempted into trying it.
What is the science behind fasting?
The key to achieving a 'full body reset' and fat burning is ketosis, which occurs when the body starts to burn stored body fat rather than carbohydrates.
Another important factor is something known as 'autophagy' which is a natural regeneration process that occurs at a cellular level.
Essentially, your cells have got bits of junk in them made up of old and damaged parts and if you've got too much junk in there, then things probably won't work as they should be doing.
Autophagy helps to repair and restore your cells, and occurs when the body is derived of nutrients, which is why fasting can help to induce it.
What could happen to the body after 36 hours of no food?
YouTube channel 'The Limitless Emperor' shared a video explaining all the changes you can see in the body after avoiding food for 36 hours, although it's important to note that you should always consult a health professional before trying anything radically new.
It claims that after just four hours our body starts to burn stored glucose for energy, with blood sugar levels dropping once you've gone eight hours.
Things continue to work behind-the-scenes each four hours you wait, with the body beginning to burn fat after 12 hours when insulin levels are particularly low, while at 16 hours your body is now in detox mode, with autophagy starting to begin.
Cellular repair is said to speed up once you go the full 24 hours of fasting, while the growth hormone also allegedly skyrockets shortly after, which helps muscle recovery.
If you manage to get through the 36 hours without sneaking a slice of toast then your body might just hit peak autophagy, with the full body reset complete.
What are the health concerns associated with fasting?
Of course, there are a lot of health concerns that can be associated with fasting, particularly if people are doing it with no prior experience or without much fat to burn.
While you might be able to reduce inflammation and improve your heart health, experts have also warned about the risks that are associated with it, particularly for those who might already have a bad relationship with food.
Anyone with type 1 diabetes or low blood pressure should avoid fasting, while those who are pregnant or taking anti-inflammatory drugs should also stick to a normal food routine.
Breakfast has long been thought of as the most important meal of the day and the NHS urges people to never skip it, so if you are convinced to start fasting you should always speak to a nutritionist or doctor beforehand to make sure you do it safely, while prolonged fasting should always be medically supervised.
And if you're hungry and feeling tired, then it's probably not worth the effort, and you should just eat whatever it is you're craving.
Researchers in China in 2024 suggested that limiting your eating windows could also double the risk of dying from heart and circulatory diseases, so it might not even be worth it in the long term.
Topics: Health
James Moorhouse