Can Fasting Help Prevent Cancer? Exploring the Research

When it comes to preventing cancer, most of us focus on things like eating healthy and staying active. But there's growing interest in the idea that fasting could also play a role in reducing cancer risk. Let's take a closer look at what the research says about fasting and its potential impact on cancer prevention.

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Understanding Fasting:

Fasting is basically when you don't eat or drink anything for a certain period of time. There are different ways to fast, like intermittent fasting where you eat during certain hours and fast the rest of the time, or longer fasts where you might go without food for a day or more.

The Science Behind Fasting and Cancer Prevention:

Here's why some scientists think fasting might help prevent cancer:

1. Reduced Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is linked to cancer, and fasting seems to help dial down inflammation in the body.
2. Promotion of Autophagy: Fasting can kickstart a process called autophagy, which is like a cellular clean-up crew. It helps get rid of damaged cells that could potentially turn cancerous.
3. Improved Insulin Sensitivity: Fasting might also help improve how your body responds to insulin, which could lower…