Changes

In a medical [[context]] fasting may refer to (1) the metabolic [[status]] of a person who has not eaten overnight, (2) to the metabolic state achieved after complete [[digestion]] and absorption of a meal, or (3) an unusually extended period of starvation. Several metabolic adjustments occur during fasting, and many medical diagnostic tests are standardized for fasting conditions. For most ordinary diagnostic purposes a [[person]] is assumed to be fasting after 8–12 hours. 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 [[culture]]s throughout [[history]], from ancient to modern.

In a medical [[context]] fasting may refer to (1) the metabolic [[status]] of a person who has not eaten overnight, (2) to the metabolic state achieved after complete [[digestion]] and absorption of a meal, or (3) an unusually extended period of starvation. Several metabolic adjustments occur during fasting, and many medical diagnostic tests are standardized for fasting conditions. For most ordinary diagnostic purposes a [[person]] is assumed to be fasting after 8–12 hours. 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 [[culture]]s throughout [[history]], from ancient to modern.

<center>For lessons on the related [[topic]] of '''''Asceticism''''', follow [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Asceticism '''''this link'''''].</center>

<center>For lessons on the related [[topic]] of '''''Asceticism''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Asceticism '''''this link'''''].</center>

==Health Effects==

==Health Effects==

[[Glucose]] is the body's primary fuel source and is essential for the brain's functioning. When denied glucose for more than 4–8 hours, the body will turn to the liver for glycogen, a storage form of glucose, to be used for fuel. A process called glycogenolysis converts glycogen into a usable form of fuel. At this point, the body will also use small amounts of protein to supplement this fuel. This fuel will last for up to 12 hours before the body needs to turn to muscle stores of glycogen, lasting for a few more days. If glucose is still denied at this point, muscle wasting is prevented by temporarily switching to fat as the fuel source, meaning fat is converted into ketone through catabolism. Ketones, while not sugars, are able to be used by the brain as a fuel source as long as glucose is denied.

[[Glucose]] is the body's primary fuel source and is essential for the brain's functioning. When denied glucose for more than 4–8 hours, the body will turn to the liver for glycogen, a storage form of glucose, to be used for fuel. A process called glycogenolysis converts glycogen into a usable form of fuel. At this point, the body will also use small amounts of protein to supplement this fuel. This fuel will last for up to 12 hours before the body needs to turn to muscle stores of glycogen, lasting for a few more days. If glucose is still denied at this point, muscle wasting is prevented by temporarily switching to fat as the fuel source, meaning fat is converted into ketone through catabolism. Ketones, while not sugars, are able to be used by the brain as a fuel source as long as glucose is denied.