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Crying Baby: Causes & Tips to Calm Your Baby
Imagine that you don’t have a universal language to communicate with your fellow beings. It must be so difficult, especially for a baby. Learning the signs that your baby uses to communicate with you is a crucial aspect of parenting.
Why Do Babies Cry?
Babies communicate their needs like hunger, pain and fear and the need to sleep through their cries. The interpretation of the reason can be tricky. The cry of a baby sounds different from that caused by hunger or the need to sleep. If the baby’s crying does not sound right, you should contact the doctor immediately. Learning what it takes to soothe and comfort an upset or unresponsive baby may take all of your skills of perception and awareness. As the baby grows, it will learn other ways to communicate with you. The different reasons behind a baby’s cry include:
1. Hunger
The baby’s stomach is small. Thus it cannot hold too much and empties very fast. So your baby will need frequent feeds. If your baby is crying, your baby might not be feeding consistently or drinking formula or breastfeed in small quantities and more often. You may try feeding your baby earlier than the estimated 2-3 hours to see if it calms him.
Need to sleep – Babies will tend to fall asleep when they are tired.
However, sometimes they may become fussy or cranky when overtired.
2. Diaper Change
You may need to keep a check on when the baby needs a diaper change.
3. Stomach Problems
If your baby cries a lot, stomach ache caused due to colic or gas could be a reason especially if your baby cries just after being fed.
4. Needs to Burp
Burping is not mandatory. However, if your baby starts crying after being fed, then you may try to burp him to relieve them from the discomfort.
5. Wants to be Held
Babies want to be cuddled. They want to see their parents’ faces and hear their voices. Hence, they may sometimes cry to indicate that they want to be close to you.
6. Feeling Too Hot or Cold
A fussy baby might also be trying to indicate if he is feeling too hot or too cold. As a parent, you should be careful to keep your baby at a comfortable temperature.
7. Something Causing Pain or Discomfort
Sometimes your baby may be troubled by something, like a hair tightly wrapped around a toe or finger, or a scratchy cloth tag.
8. Stimulation
Babies find it difficult at times to process things happening around them (noise, lights). So they may need to be pacified. On the other hand, babies are sometimes outgoing, so they may cry and fuss to be more active.
9. Feeling Unwell
Crying may be a symptom of some illness. Check for any symptoms that could indicate one.
10. Teething
Babies cry and become cranky when they are teething because each tooth pushes through the gums causing pain.
11. Getting Scared
Sometimes babies get scared by something in the environment, like a bad dream or from any other thing that can be scary for babies, that we may take for granted.
12. Separation Anxiety
Babies also experience separation anxiety. It is natural for a baby to be anxious about being separated from the parents, but with patience and reassurance, they are sure to understand that the separation is temporary.
How Should You Hold Your Crying Baby?
Pick the baby and hold him snugly across your chest. Fold the baby’s arms and secure them with your hand and support the baby’s chin also. Hold the baby’s bottom gently with your other hand by using the fleshy part of your arm. Keep the baby at a 45-degree angle and gently rock him. The movement should be smooth and in a sequence. The angle is important because it will help you control the baby. This technique is used for holding babies who are 2 to 3 months old.
Babies cry for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is easy to soothe the baby by feeding, holding or changing the diaper. However, there are times when the baby is inconsolable which may be due to colic.
5 S’s for Soothing a Crying Baby
Mentioned below are different ways to soothe a crying baby.
1. Swaddling
Swaddling your baby in a blanket keeps the baby cosy and secure. Swaddling creates a womb-like feeling, so it helps the baby to settle down faster. You may leave the arms of the baby outside the swaddle so that they can enjoy their freedom.
2. Side Lying
Since your baby has spent most of his time on his side inside the foetus, you may try to hold him in a similar way. This is called the football hold, clutch the baby with one arm and support the head and legs under your armpit.
3. Shushing
Some babies can be calmed by soothing sounds, like a whooshing noise, because it is similar to the sound inside the womb. The whooshing sound should be louder than the baby’s crying, else he or she will not be able to hear it. You may make a “shhh shhh” sound or can use a white noise machine or a mobile phone for the same.
4. Swinging
Fast and rhythmic motions like swinging or rocking may help soothe a fussy baby. You may also use motorized baby swings or gliders. But try not to allow the baby to sleep off while on one. It may lead to him becoming dependant on the motion to fall asleep over time.
5. Sucking
Babies often calm themselves by sucking on a finger or a pacifier. This does not fill their tummies. However, it relaxes their nerves. Keep in mind to avoid resorting to pacifiers all the time as the baby may become dependent on them.
Other Tips to Calm your Baby
The following ways help calm a fussy crying baby:
1. Give a Massage
Massaging is a calming ritual which can be used to soothe a crying baby. You may use lotion or baby massage oil for the massage. Stroke the baby’s chest gently from the centre to outward and make small circles on the stomach and around the belly button. Roll the arms and legs of the baby between your hands. Take turns for massaging each limb in a “milking” motion. Rub the palms and fingers of the baby. Massage the soles of the feet as well. If the baby is alright, then you can turn the baby on his tummy and stroke the back from side to side and then up and down.
2. Entertain
Babies also cry when they are bored. You can keep them entertained by narrating stories or making noises with animated expressions. You can play with the baby’s toys and show him how to rattle and spin different toys.
3. Colic
Sometimes, the cause of crying is colic or gas. You may soothe the baby by holding him (colic carry). You have to apply some pressure to the baby’s tummy. Lay the baby on his tummy on your forearm, with the head rested on your hand. With the other hand, rub the baby’s back gently. You can lay the baby across your lap with one knee under his tummy and the other supporting the head. You may also put the baby down on his back and push the knees up to his stomach for about 10 seconds each. This action of release and repeat help relieve the gas.
4. Get the Baby Outside
Sometimes, all that a cranky baby needs is to get out into fresh air. A change in the surroundings (light, air, temperature and sound) may improve the baby’s mood. If you are unable to take the baby out for a walk, you may take him for a drive.
5. Sing a Lullaby
Sometimes just singing a lullaby can calm a crying baby. Your voice will comfort the baby.
6. Using a Front Pack Carrier to Carry the Baby
You can walk around with your baby facing your body in a front pack carrier. The closeness and rhythm of your steps will help the baby relax. Babies enjoy being carried around.
7. Keep Calm
Sometimes over stimulation causes the baby to become cranky since everything is new to them. So, you may create a soothing environment around him . You can take the baby to a separate room dim the lights and put on some light music.
What If your Baby is Crying Without Any Reason?
Babies can cry and be fussy during the initial months. They might even have a particular time during the day which is their fussy period. A standard fussy period may start from 2 to 6 weeks, reaches its peak at 6 weeks and is gone by the 4th month. The fussy period usually lasts for about 2 to 4 hours every day. Normal crying or fussiness occurs at a similar time, for a similar duration and with the same intensity. The baby will respond to the same things every time. If your baby does not stop crying, you need to try out the 5 S soothing methods. However, if you feel that your baby’s crying or being fussy is not normal, consult your paediatrician.
What is Self-Soothing?
Self-soothing means the baby’s ability to regulate his emotions. Nowadays, paediatricians recommend parents to allow the baby to self-soothe. While self-soothing needs to be taught to most babies, it comes naturally to some. Mellow babies learn to self-soothe earlier than babies with more insistent personalities.
When to Teach your Baby to Self-Soothe?
Self-soothing teaches the baby to settle down between the age of 6 to 9 months with a little parental guidance. If you start to teach the baby too early, then the baby may tend to become fussy. You have to be patient with the baby during the initial days since the baby is still trying to adapt to the world around. Until the baby learns to vocalise his needs, the caregiver may need to use all the senses to assess preferences. From the 4th month onwards, you may start teaching the baby to self-soothe.
How to Teach your Baby to Self-Soothe?
The process of teaching your baby to self-soothe requires a lot of encouragement from your side. You need to take one step at a time to allow the baby’s body and mind to adapt.
1. Change of Mindset
When you start teaching the baby to self-soothe, it important that you let go. It is important to give the baby a chance to self-soothe and believe that the baby will be able to do so. Initially, it will be difficult however rescuing your baby from discomfort every time will not give him the opportunity to self-soothe. Hence, we need to learn to equip the baby to handle discomfort.
2. Establish a Bedtime Routine
It is important that you establish a routine for the baby. Predictability will make the baby less anxious and will also lessen the resistance. You should try to do the same things at the same time and in the same order.
3. Do Not Pick the Baby Right Away
There will always be a temptation to pick up and soothe a crying or fussy baby. However, it may have its own set of problems like –
Your baby will not get a chance to settle on his own and will not be able to get the opportunity to calm down.
Your baby associates waking up with a need to have external help to help him to fall asleep. They will not realise that it is alright to find ways to self-soothe.
Rushing every time to calm the baby will make you feel drained and stressed out. Your baby will be able to sense your anxiety and start feeling stressed as well.
4. Leaving the Baby’s Arms Un-Swaddled
Swaddles are a way to help to calm a baby, especially in the newborn days. Swaddling does not allow the baby to suck their hands, which is a way to self-soothe.
5. Put the Baby Down When He’s Drowsy But Awake
You should learn to put the baby down when he’s drowsy but awake. The baby should be drowsy enough that he can fall asleep easily, but not too drowsy that the baby is not able to adjust to the new environment. A baby who is slightly awake will be able to find his bearings and sleep without being held. You may look for sleep cues to determine when it’s time for the baby to take another nap.
6. Use Dim Lights or White Noise
Make the baby’s room conducive to sleep by keeping it dim or adding white noise, so the baby has a better chance of falling and staying asleep. It is okay if your baby is lying down awake. They will fall asleep on their own. In case the baby is fussing while lying down, you may help them settle down or rock them to a sleepy state.
7. Feed your Baby after He or She Wakes Up
You should try and feed the baby after waking up. This way, the baby is encouraged to find alternate ways to sleep like sucking, rocking the head from side to side or cooing. The baby will have the energy to play while being awake and will be able to digest the feed reducing the chances of gas.
8. Give the Baby a Comfort Item
You may try to get the baby used to a toy to encourage self-soothing. The baby finds comfort in them.
Frequently asked questions
1. Does a Baby’s Ability to Self-Soothe Reflect the Parenting Abilities?
A baby’s ability to self-soothe depends on the baby’s temperament and not on your parenting abilities.
2. Do All Babies Self-Ssoothe Easily?
Sometimes babies do not self-soothe or resist it. You should not be afraid that the baby lacks something or will not be independent. On the other hand, the ability to engage with the baby to comfort the baby is considered to be extremely healthy.
3. How Old Will My Baby be Before She Learns to Soothe Herself?
The ability to self-soothe depends largely on the personality of the baby. While some babies are born with good self-soothing skills, others may take time to learn the skill.
4. What are the Alternate Techniques to Comfort a Baby?
The baby should know that you believe in them. As a parent, you should be able to be around the baby and keep reassuring him verbally or by body language.
5. What to Do If the Baby Cannot Sleep without Nursing?
If your baby is drowsy enough but wakes up each time you lay him, you should use your judgment and let the baby understand that it is time to sleep and see if he or she can settle down in a few minutes.
6. Can I Spoil My Baby If I Respond to Every Cry?
It is not possible to spoil a baby by comforting them when they are upset. However, responding instantly to crying is not necessary. Parents should aim to be consistent in their response to the baby’s crying. This is the key to building a sense of security in the baby in the growing years.
7. For How Long Can I Leave My Baby Alone?
It is a good idea to leave the baby for about 10 to 15 minutes and check on him at regular intervals.
Also Read: Basics of Baby Sleep: 10 to 12 Months Read more
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Nikitha has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 9 months
30 mins ago
Q. i missed my periods on 5 but when I checked in the morning urine that is not showing positive but when I check now I can see faint line ... why this is happening
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
29 mins ago
A. hello the result it will not accurate and it may be better if you can check after a week or you can also contact your gynecologist and she will be able to guide you accordingly which will be better and also safe usually you can get an accurate result after 15 days from missed lmp date
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Using Perfume and Deodorant during Pregnancy
Being “odour-free” is part of maintaining good personal hygiene. But the regular commercial perfumes and deodorants may not be entirely appropriate to use during pregnancy. The commercial deodorants and perfumes usually contain toxins and chemicals. These harmful chemicals can penetrate the skin through minor skin abrasions or may get absorbed by the skin when applied during pregnancy possibly leading to complications.
The extent of the exposure to these toxic chemicals also matter. Normally perfumes and deodorants are applied every day and remain on the skin for a long time. Moreover, pregnant women normally develop a heightened sense of smell and may become sensitive to certain smells and aromas. Therefore, applying strong deodorants and perfumes during pregnancy can trigger nausea, headaches.
Is It Safe to Use Deodorant and Perfumes during Pregnancy?
Yes, it is normally considered safe to use deodorants and perfumes during pregnancy. Most doctors are of the view that the chemicals contained in the deodorants and perfumes do not infiltrate the skin but stay on the skin’s surface. Even if there are minor cuts on the skin, not enough of the toxins may pass into the body to cause any substantial damage to the mother or the fetus.
However, one needs to be wary of deodorants and perfumes that may trigger an allergic reaction during pregnancy. Ideally, deodorants and perfumes which are organic and contain all-natural ingredients should be preferred when pregnant. In case of any doubt regarding a particular ingredient, it is wise to consult a doctor first before using the product.
What Perfumes or Deodorants You Should Avoid?
Although the use of perfumes or deodorants is usually considered safe during pregnancy, there may be some that you can still avoid. They are:
Refrain from using camphor, aniseed, pennyroyal, birch, wintergreen, sage essential oils while pregnant.
Avoid using perfumes or deodorants that contain harmful chemicals such as silica, parabens, BHA, sodium lauryl sulfate, coal tars, petroleum by-products, propylene glycol, triclosan, polyethene/pegs, formaldehyde during pregnancy.
Select an aluminium free deodorant or perfume. Studies have linked aluminium-based compounds to a higher risk of neurological diseases like Alzheimer's disease, gene instability, breast cancer.
Choose unscented perfumes and deodorants instead of the fragrant ones. Fragrances usually, have hormone-disrupting phthalates as an ingredient. Sometimes, phthalates may not be listed on the label of the product. Even deodorants claiming to be phthalate-free may contain unknown phthalate substitutes that can cause potential harm during pregnancy.
What Amount of Perfumes or Deodorants You Should Use?
During pregnancy, it is wise to follow the norm - Better safe than sorry! It is safer to limit the number of deodorants and perfumes that you apply every day when pregnant. Avoid excessive use of deodorants and perfumes during pregnancy especially if you are indulging in scented lotions and creams as well. It is best to stick to the minimal use of perfumed products. Avoid experimenting with new products. You can try using safer essential oils like citrus oil instead of the fragrant deodorants and perfumes.
Some Safe Natural Fragrances You Should Try
Natural fragrances may not work like conventional perfumes and deodorants. But the longer you use natural fragrances, the better they may work. Natural fragrances are available in jars, sprays, roll-ons, sticks. Some of the ingredients that may make the best natural deodorant for pregnancy can be:
Coconut Lime
Cinnamon
Balsam
Cucumber Melon
Passion Fruit
Cranberry
Green Tea
Hibiscus
Cocoa butter
Mango butter
Juniper
Tea tree oil
Lichen oil
Rosemary oil
Citrus oil
Fig
Peach
Lemon Mint Leaf
Lilac
Raspberry
Cherry
Chamomile oil
Lavender oil
Sandalwood
Rose
Spearmint
Ylang-ylang
Geranium
Honey Apple
Frankincense
Pink Amber
When You Should Consult The Doctor?
You may like to consult the doctor if you experience any of the following listed reactions after using a deodorant or perfume:
A headache
Rashes
An allergic reaction
Difficulty in breathing
Choking
Also, discuss with the doctor your possible triggers or allergies if any and based on your medical history your doctor can suggest a pregnancy safe deodorant for you.
It is always sensible to be safe, and thus, using perfumes and deodorants in minute quantities during pregnancy may be a better idea. It is also important to check out the label on the products before buying them.
You can opt for mild fragrances instead of strong ones when pregnant. Furthermore, during pregnancy, you may like to switch over to natural fragrances which are devoid of detrimental chemicals to avoid any likely health issues.
Also Read : Nail Polish during Pregnancy Read more
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What is the Difference Between Foremilk and Hindmilk
Breast milk is generally known to have two components - foremilk and hindmilk. Foremilk is the milk that comes at the start of breastfeeding while hindmilk is the milk that comes at the end. Let’s understand more about it.
What are Foremilk and Hindmilk?
The breastmilk that the baby receives at the start of a breastfeeding session is known as the ‘foremilk,’ which has more water content, is higher in volume but has low-fat content. As the breastfeeding goes on, the fatty content of the breastmilk increases gradually, and the volume goes down. The breastmilk towards the end of the breastfeeding session is lower in volume but very high in fat content and is known as the ‘hindmilk.’ If you are thinking about foremilk vs hindmilk, the major difference is the fat content of the milk.
The breasts only produce one type of milk which has high-fat content. The different types of milk are the result of the mechanics of milk release. The fat content of the milk gradually increases as the breastfeeding session progresses. When the milk is being produced in the breast, the fat globules present in the breastmilk stick to each other and to the alveoli walls (where the milk is made). Milk gets collected in the breasts and slowly moves out through the nipple, leaving behind more and more of the fat content in between the breastfeeding sessions.
What is Foremilk-Hindmilk Imbalance?
If your breasts have more milk than your baby can comfortably consume, your supply will gradually go down over time to correlate to your baby’s actual breastmilk needs. Some babies might get an overdose of foremilk which is rich in lactose. This is known as a foremilk-hindmilk imbalance. Infants might also get foremilk-hindmilk imbalance if you have a healthy milk supply and you take your baby away from the breast before he has finished feeding or you switch sides too soon.
Confusion About the Green Nappies
Healthcare providers typically believe in the idea of sticking to one single breast for one feeding session (known as block-feeding), so that the baby can get more hindmilk. These healthcare providers (and mothers of this opinion) might observe the babies passing green stools. however, the common scant green nappy of your child not gaining weight is not as same as the abundant frothy green nappy of a child with an overload of lactose. Sticking to one breast is definitely not the solution for a baby suffering from green “starvation stools”. Check with your International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for more queries if you are unsure about what your child’s nappies mean or whether block-feeding is a good thing for your child.
Temporary Lactose Intolerance
In these circumstances, the child might find it problematic to digest all the copious amount of lactose that is plentiful in the foremilk causing lactose overload or temporary lactose intolerance. They might get uncomfortable and fussy with copious green, foamy and frothy nappies. The sheer volume and high sugar content of milk generally mean that infants gain weight quite well with foremilk-hindmilk imbalance. However, it may be possible that some babies might not gain enough weight in this circumstance. It is advised to breastfeed your baby on one breast per feed or for a period of time because this can be very beneficial with foremilk-hindmilk imbalance to make sure that babies intake a fine proportion of milk with higher fat concentration.
It doesn’t matter whether it is hindmilk or foremilk or something in the middle of the session, all your baby needs is lots of milk to grow healthy. It is the quantity of breast milk that determines the baby’s health rather than the fat content in a particular feed. So, don’t worry about the quantity of hindmilk that your baby is receiving.
Also Read: Content and Composition of Breastmilk Read more
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Shoelaces and Your 22 Months Old - Refined Grasp
What's the easiest way to teach a child to tie shoes? While the task can be tricky, there are tips to make it much simpler. With these quick hints, you won't only enjoy lace-tying activities, but will also accomplish your mission of teaching your child how to tie shoes easily.
Teaching children to tie their own shoelaces might seem like a Herculean affair. Since the task requires dexterity and patience, you might notice slow progress in your child. However, the right tips and guidelines will make your little one practice the art of tying laces without much help. Although kids are not likely to achieve shoe-tying perfection till they’re at least five years old, it's recommended that you start early with yours. As this activity will enhance her fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, you’ll find it aiding other development milestones too!
Tips on How to Teach a Child to Tie Shoes
1. Start with Soft Laces
For starters, it’s advised that you introduce long and flat shoelaces to your child. With short and round laces, she might find it difficult to manipulate and manoeuvre the loops. If necessary, use a marker to colour the laces so that she’s able to distinguish between the two sides of the lace.
2. Form the Right Loop
Begin by teaching her how to form a loop with fingers. Point out how much space is required for the loop. Then, explain double knotting and how to do it. Go slow when teaching her. It’s no easy task for a toddler to tie shoelaces!
3. Help Her Copy You
When teaching a toddler to tie shoes, make her sit right beside you so that she can grasp all the actions you do closely. This way, she won’t get too confused between right and left loops and will be able to do what you’re doing. After she’s observed you a few times, make her follow your instructions in small parts.
4. Long Lace, Short Lace
Once she gets comfortable handling longer laces, work on the shorter ones as most kids’ shoes use small-sized laces. One of the best ways to teach a child to tie shoes with shorter laces is by lacing from the top second hole. This way, she’ll get extra length to work with. Form an ‘X’ with the two laces, after which you can show her the right way of forming the base of the lace bow.
4. Applaud and Praise
Remember, tying shoelaces properly is an intricate task for a child who’s still developing fine motor skills. Celebrate every little step accomplished by your munchkin. Appreciate her efforts when she starts crossing and pulling the shoelaces correctly. Reward her with some fun treats. Doing this will sustain her interest in learning to fasten shoelaces.
Keep these pointers in mind and practice tying shoelaces often with your child. If you don’t want to work on shoes all the time, you can practice tying knots on a practice board, or hold one end of the laces and have her work on the other. Soon, your child will learn how to tie her own shoelaces and will soon be able to bid adieu to Velcro shoes! Read more
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15 Amazing Benefits of Fasting That Will Surprise You
They say history repeats itself and we’ve seen that happen on more than one occasion. Whether it’s fashion, lifestyle, or music, the best trends always make a comeback. One of those trends is fasting. Even outside of religious and political circles, people have started to adopt fasting to improve their lifestyle.
Health Benefits of Fasting for Whole Body Wellness
With gym memberships and dietary prescriptions becoming a regular thing these days, sometimes, the best course of action can be not eating at all. Here are few of the advantages of fasting.
1. Promotes Weight Loss
This is the reason most people incorporate fasting into their lifestyles. It reduces caloric intake and also forces the body to use up its fat resources to power itself. Ketosis or fat-burning is a state that is achieved faster through fasting than traditional low-caloric diets while preserving muscle tissue.
2. Increases Insulin Sensitivity
Insulin is the hormone responsible for allowing glucose to enter cells. A healthy cycle involves the increase in insulin production after meals and the decrease during the time between them (4-6 hrs). However, snacking in between meals and erratic eating habits disrupt this cycle and force the body to secrete more insulin. Constant exposure to high concentrations of insulin promotes resistance to insulin, which leads to chronic and problematic conditions, like Type 2 Diabetes.
3. Fights Off Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural immune response to adversity. However, chronic inflammation is something that nobody wants any part of. Chronic inflammation is a factor in heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and even cancer. Studies have shown that fasting could decrease several inflammation markers and can even be used to treat some autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
4. Promotes Greater Satiety
Hormones are responsible for a LOT of things in our system. The urge to pee and the feeling of thirst are also caused by hormones. Similarly, the feeling of hunger follows suit. The fat tissue produces a hormone called leptin that affects the feeling of hunger and satisfaction after a meal. Erratic eating habits and an increase in accumulated fat contributes to leptin resistance. Fasting and weight loss, therefore, greatly affect post-meal satisfaction. The more responsive you are to leptin signals, the more full you feel. This way, when you do eat, you can enjoy it.
5. Improves Metabolism
Metabolic disorders have increased in incidence over the last fifty years. Some of the reasons for such an increase include erratic eating habits, unbalanced diets, and stress. Fasting has been shown to boost metabolism by increasing norepinephrine levels, which increase the amount of fats for the body to burn. This also promotes weight loss. Leptin also promotes the production of the thyroid hormone, which, in turn, improves metabolism.
6. Provides Resistance to Oxidative Stress
One of the major causes of ageing is oxidative stress. The free radicals generated in the body are responsible for this damage. Though the response does have many functional applications, an increase in oxidative stress can cause premature ageing. Fasting reduces oxidative stress by improving hormone signalling and normalising blood composition.
7. Provides a Clean-up from Within
Our body is home to an immeasurable number of cells. Some of those cells are damaged or go astray from their intended path. Others are just old. When you fast, the idea is that you are denying the system fresh nutrients and forcing it to use up its reserves, which are primarily in the form of fat. However, fat is not the only thing the body turns to during a fast. Autophagy is the process by which a cell begins to digest parts of itself to meet the nutrient demand. This occurs at a cellular level. In short, the body not only breaks down the fat but also all the old and malfunctions cells. The healthy cells are selectively protected as they respond much differently to hormones and adversity in general. So what you’re left with is a body of healthy and well-functioning cells.
8. Protects Your Skin
As mentioned above, autophagy is responsible for the removal of old and malfunctioning cells. This results in much healthier and clearer looking skin over a period of time. It is known that a healthy diet is a very important factor when it comes to your skin. And this is how fasting helps it too - collagen is the largest protein, and it's found in many places and in different types. Collagen is affected by increased blood glucose levels and results in loss of fibre strength. Fasting causes a reduction in blood sugar, which greatly benefits your skin.
9. Lowers the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease
People with metabolic disorders stand a high risk of cardiovascular problems. Fasting could help reduce those risks by mitigating certain contributing factors, like blood pressure, blood glucose levels, triglycerides in the blood, and cholesterol concentration in blood. The decrease in blood pressure is actually associated with the reduced salt intake during the fast and increase in salt output through the urine.
10. Helps Fight Cancer
Like metabolic disorders, the incidence of cancer has also skyrocketed over the last five decades. The reasons for this are the change in lifestyle, daily stresses and environmental exposure to numerous toxins and the general declining health of our collective gene pool.
In vitro studies have shown that exposing tumour cells to cycles of fasting had the same effect as chemotherapy on tumour cells. There was a reduction in tumour growth and an increase in the effectiveness of the chemotherapy employed.
However, it should be also noted that there is limited research conducted on this aspect and the current laboratory studies that don't involve human beings.
11. Improves Brain Function
Lots of laboratory research in mice and other animals show that fasting can actually improve both brain structure and function. There is an increase in nervous tissue generation and better brain health. Fasting promotes the production of Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) that causes increased neuronal production and protects the neurones from damage from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
12. Stimulates a Healthy Stress Response
Stress is always made out to be a bad thing. However, mild stress once in a while is a good stimulant to the body to face the challenge and get stronger. Fasting induces moderate stress to the brain that activates signalling pathways that improve brain function and neural health while also protecting against damage and death.
13. Promotes Growth
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is a very important hormone that regulates growth and many other facets of your health like muscle strength and metabolism. Fasting could improve the body's HGH levels, according to many studies. HGH is a hormone that requires careful regulation and optimisation. Lifestyle changes could affect the cycle and have a negative impact on your health.
14. Helps Athletes
Many athletes are now incorporating intermittent fasting into their regimen. Intermittent fasting is a pattern of fasting where the athlete alternates between periods of fasting and eating. For example, on training days, the athletes fast for 24 hours and then on game days, they consume a high protein diet for fat loss and HGH boost. The athletes need to maintain a low body fat percentage and also build lean and strong muscle. Both these targets can be met by intermittent fasting. Lean muscle causes you to burn calories during rest which is very useful when it comes to shedding fat.
15. Helps Achieve a Lighter Body and a Clearer Mind
Fasting has helped many people develop a new outlook towards life. It provides a refreshing exit from the mundane and unfulfilling cycle of constant snacking where one feels the need to keep eating even though the satisfaction is hardly worth looking forward to, not to mention the guilt that follows. It acts as a periodic reset button to your body and gives you a taste of things you were missing. The brain also has more energy to work with as the digestive system (one of the largest “consumers” of energy in the body) is not hogging all of it.
Precautions to Take While Fasting
Take the following precautions if you are planning to fast.
Hypoglycaemic and diabetic patients should avoid fasting until their blood glucose levels have been normalised. They must still keep a close eye on the values.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should NOT fast as it can have negative effects on the child.
If you have any chronic medical conditions or are under any medications, it is best to consult your doctor before drastically altering your lifestyle.
During the fast, stay hydrated. During your 'eat' periods, consume nutrient-rich and dense foods. Also, get plenty of rest.
Fasting is not for everyone. Go ahead with it if you are comfortable with it. Do not force yourself into it, it may do you more harm than good.
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