There are many methods of health preservation nowadays, and the method of fasting in Taoism is highly respected by many people. However, if the method is not correct, it can also bring harm to the body. What are the main dangers of fasting?
Easily Low Blood Sugar
During fasting, one cannot eat staple foods. If staple foods are not consumed for a long time, it can easily lead to low blood sugar, causing symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, and mental fatigue, which seriously harm a person's physical health. If a person with diabetes chooses fasting as a method to exercise their body, it can cause significant fluctuations in blood sugar, leading to various acute and chronic complications, which is detrimental to their physical health.
Deficiency of Qi and Blood
Long-term fasting or too short intervals between fasting can result in the body lacking nutrition due to not receiving adequate nourishment for a long time. This can cause weakness of kidney Qi, leading to symptoms such as dark circles under the eyes, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, and excessive hair loss. These are all manifestations of insufficient Qi and blood, which can affect a person's physical health.
Dull Skin
Not consuming staple foods during fasting can result in insufficient carbohydrates in the body. Carbohydrates have detoxifying effects, and once they are lacking, the body cannot timely eliminate toxins from the blood, resulting in dull skin and an unattractive complexion.
Not Beneficial for Growth and Development
During the fasting period, children in the growth and development stage who frequently do not consume staple foods will be unable to intake sufficient carbohydrates, resulting in a lack of glucose in the body. This can significantly slow down a child's brain activity. If women fast during pregnancy and do not eat staple foods, they will lack the majority of the energy, B vitamins, dietary fiber, and other nutrients they need. If there is a lack of heat energy and protein, it can lead to slow fetal growth or even stunted development.
Decreased Digestive Function
People with digestive system diseases who do not eat for a long time during fasting will experience a decrease in the body's digestive system function. It can also cause atrophy of the intestinal mucosa and result in changes in the intestinal flora. Fasting can worsen the condition of patients with gallstones, gastric ulcers, and sepsis.
Nutritional Deficiency
Frequently not consuming staple foods during fasting can easily lead to malnutrition in the body, causing a deficiency of nutrients. For individuals already experiencing malnutrition, fasting can worsen their condition, impair the normal functioning of various organs, and disrupt the body's metabolism. This can lead to immune system damage, making them susceptible to various complications such as infections.
Decreased Immunity
Not eating staple foods during fasting can result in insufficient energy supply in the body and an imbalance in nutrition. Prolonged fasting can lead to a decrease in immunity, making a person susceptible to symptoms such as colds, fever, and physical weakness.
