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== Upavasa as a type of Langhana ==
 
== Upavasa as a type of Langhana ==
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The lad was Charaka (Doyen of Ayurveda, whose compilation Charaka Samhita is the bible for Ayurveda Physicians and Pharmacologists for generations.)
 
The lad was Charaka (Doyen of Ayurveda, whose compilation Charaka Samhita is the bible for Ayurveda Physicians and Pharmacologists for generations.)
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== Fasting as a therapy ==
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The evolution of the human genotype is believed to have slowly occurred from 600,000 BC to 25,000 BC, when humans were hunter-gatherers. During this period, major energy oscillations appear to have selected genes that regulate metabolism for efficient nutrient usage and increased fat storage, which represents an evolutionary benefit consistent with the thrifty genotype theory proposed by James V. Neel. When the environment changed drastically in the 19th, 20th and more so, the 21st centuries, with urbanization and easy availability of food, the genotype remained unaltered. This imbalance has resulted in an epidemic of conditions characterized by metabolic disturbances, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus type 2 (Neel, 1962).These metabolic disturbances have led to an increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular, neurological and other degenerative diseases. Many recent experimental studies have clarified some of the metabolic mechanisms involved with fasting. Animal models undergoing cyclical fasts have shown positive changes in glucose (lower plasma glucose and insulin levels) and in lipid metabolism (reduced visceral fat tissue and increased plasma adiponectin level), and an increased resistance to stress (Azevedo, Ikeoka & Caramelli, 2013).
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=== Why to eat early at night/ evening- Night fasting ===
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Eating patterns that reduce or eliminate nighttime eating and prolong nightly fasting intervals result in sustained improvements in human health. Several lines of evidence support this hypothesis. Prolonged nightly fasting may be a simple, feasible, and potentially effective disease prevention strategy at the population level. Therefore eating early at night or in the evening can facilitate night fasting and health benefits can be gained by just this night fasting on daily basis. (Patterson RE, Laughlin GA, LaCroix AZ, Hartman SJ, Natarajan L, Senger CM, Martínez ME, Villaseñor A, Sears DD, Marinac CR, Gallo LC. Intermittent Fasting and Human Metabolic Health. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015 Aug;115(8):1203-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2015.02.018. Epub 2015 Apr 6. PMID: 25857868; PMCID: PMC4516560.)
    
== Health Benefit of Upavasa :Intermittent fasting the popular trending diet ==
 
== Health Benefit of Upavasa :Intermittent fasting the popular trending diet ==
Intermittent fasting (IF) is an increasingly popular dietary practice, and its implementation is found throughout human civilisation in various cultural, spiritual and religious traditions. Emerging evidence has shown that the health benefits of IF stretch beyond calorie restriction and weight loss. These benefits include metabolic shifts in energy production, the optimisation of peripheral circadian clocks, and overall improvement in physiological markers of metabolic health. IF has been proposed to reduce systemic inflammation and have a role in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. For the athlete, IF protocols offer a potential new frontier for maintaining performance in the fasted state. (Mandal S, Simmons N, Awan S, et alIntermittent fasting: eating by the clock for health and exercise performanceBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2022;8:e001206. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001206)
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In 2016, a Japanese cell biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his research on how cells recycle and renew their content through a process called autophagy. It was also understood that this autophagy process can be driven by unspecific metabolic stimuli, such as starvation or fasting. Since then a lot of focus of research has been shifted on understanding the metabolic effects of fasting and its application in clinical practice to manage certain lifestyle diseases. Therefore, the age old practice of upavasa or fasting on certain days, months or occasions observed in many in various cultural, spiritual and religious traditions like Santana dharma is gaining popularity all over the globe. Over time, science had debunked these beliefs and observances of fasting. However, the benefits of fasting are being discovered more and more today. Various studies have been conducted on animals and humans to evaluate the effects of fasting and most of them have shown positive results. Intermittent fasting (IF) is thus becoming an increasingly popular dietary practice in today's time. Emerging evidence has shown that the health benefits of IF stretch beyond calorie restriction and weight loss. The benefits of fasting on metabolic and lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity, cancer, hypertension, inflammation , neurodegeneration etc have been demonstrated. (Mandal S, Simmons N, Awan S, et alIntermittent fasting: eating by the clock for health and exercise performance BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2022;8:e001206. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001206)
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=== Metabolic benefits ===
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Evidence is accumulating that eating in a 6-hour period and fasting for 18 hours can trigger a metabolic switch from glucose-based to ketone-based energy, with increased stress resistance, increased longevity, and a decreased incidence of diseases, including cancer and obesity. Preclinical studies consistently show the robust disease-modifying efficacy of intermittent fasting in animal models on a wide range of chronic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and neurodegenerative brain diseases.  Many studies have indicated that several of the benefits of intermittent fasting are dissociated from its effects on weight loss. These benefits include improvements in glucose regulation, blood pressure, and heart rate; the efficacy of endurance training; and abdominal fat loss27 The research reviewed here, and discussed in more detail elsewhere,11,12 shows that most if not all organ systems respond to intermittent fasting in ways that enable the organism to tolerate or overcome the challenge and then restore homeostasis. Repeated exposure to fasting periods results in lasting adaptive responses that confer resistance to subsequent challenges Cells respond to intermittent fasting by engaging in a coordinated adaptive stress response that leads to increased expression of antioxidant defenses, DNA repair, protein quality control, mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy, and down-regulation of inflammation (Fig. 3). These adaptive responses to fasting and feeding are conserved across taxa.10 Cells throughout the bodies and brains of animals maintained on intermittentfasting regimens show improved function and robust resistance to a broad range of potentially damaging insults, including those involving metabolic, oxidative, ionic, traumatic, and proteotoxic stress.12 Intermittent fasting stimulates autophagy and mitophagy while inhibiting the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) protein-synthesis pathway. These responses enable cells to remove oxidatively damaged proteins and mitochondria and recycle undamaged molecular constituents while temporarily reducing global protein synthesis to conserve energy and molecular resources (Fig. 3). These pathways are untapped or suppressed in persons who overeat and are sedentary.12
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=== Autophagy, fasting and cancer : A Nobel prize winning research ===
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Autophagy, a lysosome-mediated intracellular degradation pathway, was discovered in the late 1950s.  Intermittent fasting stimulates autophagy and mitophagy while inhibiting the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) protein-synthesis pathway. These responses enable cells to remove oxidatively damaged proteins and mitochondria and recycle undamaged molecular constituents while temporarily reducing global protein synthesis to conserve energy and molecular resources
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Autophagy is suggested to inhibit tumorigenesis. Autophagy has also been identified as a potential therapeutic target in neurodegenerative disease. A protective role for autophagy has subsequently been described in many other neurodegenerative diseases, predominantly via the clearance of intracytoplasmic aggregate-prone proteins, such as alpha-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease and tau in various neurodegenerative conditions. (Frake, Becca & Rubinsztein, David. (2016). Yoshinori Ohsumi’s Nobel Prize for mechanisms of autophagy: From basic yeast biology to therapeutic potential. Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. 46. 228-233. 10.4997/JRCPE.2016.403. )
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This year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Yoshinori Ohsumi for the discovery of the molecular principles governing autophagy, an intracellular degradation pathway routed via lysosomes or vacuoles. It is a story of a simple yet insightful yeast genetic screen that revealed the inner circuitry of one of the most powerful quality-control pathways in cells. In the still-growing field of autophagy, which has seen an enormous boost after the pioneering work of Ohsumi and colleagues, many groups across the world have significantly contributed to further our understanding of the pivotal role of autophagy in metabolic homeostasis, in regulation of vital processes in the cell, and in guarding cellular integrity (Sharon A. Tooze1 and Ivan Dikic2. Autophagy Captures the Nobel Prize. Cell 167, December 1, 2016)
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Autophagy can be driven by unspecific metabolic stimuli, such as starvation, or by highly specific signals facilitating the removal of damaged or superfluous proteins or organelles, thereby serving cellular homeostasis needs.
    
=== Obesity and lifestyle diseases like Diabetes ===
 
=== Obesity and lifestyle diseases like Diabetes ===
 
Obesity and obesity-related diseases, largely resulting from urbanization and behavioral changes, are now of global importance. Energy restriction, though, is associated with health improvements and increased longevity. We review some important mechanisms related to calorie limitation aimed at controlling of metabolic diseases, particularly diabetes. Recent Findings Calorie restriction triggers a complex series of intricate events, including activation of cellular stress response elements, improved autophagy, modification of apoptosis, and alteration in hormonal balance. Intermittent fasting is not only more acceptable to patients, but it also prevents some of the adverse effects of chronic calorie restriction, especially malnutrition. Summary There are many somatic and potentially psychologic benefits of fasting or intermittent calorie restriction. However, some behavioral modifications related to abstinence . (Saeid Golbidi 1 & Andreas Daiber2 & Bato Korac 3 & Huige Li 4 & M. Faadiel Essop5 & Ismail La . Health Benefits of Fasting and Caloric Restriction. Curr Diab Rep (2017) 17:123 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-017-0951-7)
 
Obesity and obesity-related diseases, largely resulting from urbanization and behavioral changes, are now of global importance. Energy restriction, though, is associated with health improvements and increased longevity. We review some important mechanisms related to calorie limitation aimed at controlling of metabolic diseases, particularly diabetes. Recent Findings Calorie restriction triggers a complex series of intricate events, including activation of cellular stress response elements, improved autophagy, modification of apoptosis, and alteration in hormonal balance. Intermittent fasting is not only more acceptable to patients, but it also prevents some of the adverse effects of chronic calorie restriction, especially malnutrition. Summary There are many somatic and potentially psychologic benefits of fasting or intermittent calorie restriction. However, some behavioral modifications related to abstinence . (Saeid Golbidi 1 & Andreas Daiber2 & Bato Korac 3 & Huige Li 4 & M. Faadiel Essop5 & Ismail La . Health Benefits of Fasting and Caloric Restriction. Curr Diab Rep (2017) 17:123 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-017-0951-7)
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=== Why to eat early at night/ evening- Night fasting ===
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Several lines of evidence support the hypothesis that eating patterns that reduce or eliminate nighttime eating and prolong nightly fasting intervals could result in sustained improvements in human health. While this hypothesis has not been tested in humans, support from animal research is striking and data from human time-restricted feeding studies are suggestive. Prolonged nightly fasting may be a simple, feasible, and potentially effective disease prevention strategy at the population level. (Patterson RE, Laughlin GA, LaCroix AZ, Hartman SJ, Natarajan L, Senger CM, Martínez ME, Villaseñor A, Sears DD, Marinac CR, Gallo LC. Intermittent Fasting and Human Metabolic Health. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015 Aug;115(8):1203-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2015.02.018. Epub 2015 Apr 6. PMID: 25857868; PMCID: PMC4516560.)
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=== Cancer and other Metabolic benefits ===
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Evidence is accumulating that eating in a 6-hour period and fasting for 18 hours can trigger a metabolic switch from glucose-based to ketone-based energy, with increased stress resistance, increased longevity, and a decreased incidence of diseases, including cancer and obesity. Preclinical studies consistently show the robust disease-modifying efficacy of intermittent fasting in animal models on a wide range of chronic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and neurodegenerative brain diseases.  Many studies have indicated that several of the benefits of intermittent fasting are dissociated from its effects on weight loss. These benefits include improvements in glucose regulation, blood pressure, and heart rate; the efficacy of endurance training26,27; and abdominal fat loss27 The research reviewed here, and discussed in more detail elsewhere,11,12 shows that most if not all organ systems respond to intermittent fasting in ways that enable the organism to tolerate or overcome the challenge and then restore homeostasis. Repeated exposure to fasting periods results in lasting adaptive responses that confer resistance to subsequent challenges Cells respond to intermittent fasting by engaging in a coordinated adaptive stress response that leads to increased expression of antioxidant defenses, DNA repair, protein quality control, mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy, and down-regulation of inflammation (Fig. 3). These adaptive responses to fasting and feeding are conserved across taxa.10 Cells throughout the bodies and brains of animals maintained on intermittentfasting regimens show improved function and robust resistance to a broad range of potentially damaging insults, including those involving metabolic, oxidative, ionic, traumatic, and proteotoxic stress.12 Intermittent fasting stimulates autophagy and mitophagy while inhibiting the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) protein-synthesis pathway. These responses enable cells to remove oxidatively damaged proteins and mitochondria and recycle undamaged molecular constituents while temporarily reducing global protein synthesis to conserve energy and molecular resources (Fig. 3). These pathways are untapped or suppressed in persons who overeat and are sedentary.12
      
=== Ageing and life span ===
 
=== Ageing and life span ===
 
After nearly a century of research on caloric restriction in animals, the overall conclusion was that reduced food intake robustly increases the life span
 
After nearly a century of research on caloric restriction in animals, the overall conclusion was that reduced food intake robustly increases the life span
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In humans, intermittent-fasting interventions ameliorate obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and inflammation.33 Intermittent fasting seems to confer health benefits to a greater extent than can be attributed just to a reduction in caloric intake
      
=== Memory and neurodegeneration ===
 
=== Memory and neurodegeneration ===
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Two recent pilot studies showed that patients with multiple sclerosis who adhere to intermittent fasting regimens have reduced symptoms in as short a period as 2 months.73,75 Because it reduces inflammation,17 intermittent fasting would also be expected to be beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis, and indeed, there is evidence supporting its use in patients with arthritis.76
 
Two recent pilot studies showed that patients with multiple sclerosis who adhere to intermittent fasting regimens have reduced symptoms in as short a period as 2 months.73,75 Because it reduces inflammation,17 intermittent fasting would also be expected to be beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis, and indeed, there is evidence supporting its use in patients with arthritis.76
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Intermittent-fasting regimens reduce tissue damage and improve functional outcomes of traumatic and ischemic tissue injury in animal models. Preoperative fasting reduces tissue damage and inflammation and improves the outcomes of surgical procedures.
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=== Wounds and surgical procedures ===
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Intermittent-fasting regimens reduce tissue damage and improve functional outcomes of traumatic and ischemic tissue injury in animal models
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Preoperative fasting reduces tissue damage and inflammation and improves the outcomes of surgical procedures.
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In humans, intermittent-fasting interventions ameliorate obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and inflammation.33 Intermittent fasting seems to confer health benefits to a greater extent than can be attributed just to a reduction in caloric intake
    
=== Western science slowly taking a step to reach upto Ayurveda wisdom ===
 
=== Western science slowly taking a step to reach upto Ayurveda wisdom ===
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(De Cabo, R., & Mattson, M. P. (2019). ''Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 381(26), 2541–2551.'' doi:10.1056/nejmra1905136 )
 
(De Cabo, R., & Mattson, M. P. (2019). ''Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 381(26), 2541–2551.'' doi:10.1056/nejmra1905136 )
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These benefits include metabolic shifts in energy production, the optimisation of peripheral circadian clocks, and overall improvement in physiological markers of metabolic health. IF has been proposed to reduce systemic inflammation and have a role in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. For the athlete, IF protocols offer a potential new frontier for maintaining performance in the fasted state.
    
== References ==
 
== References ==
1,214

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