American podcaster Lex Fridman fasted for 45 hours to interview PM Modi. When you fast for 45 hours, there are changes in the body at different stages and a 45-hour fast can start the process of autophagy in the body.

What happens to your body if you do Fasting for 45 hours?

Indian culture has a tradition of fasting for centuries. Our sages have been doing this for centuries, whether it is following rules and regulations or eating food for a day or fasting completely. Also, there are many festivals throughout the year when fasts are observed. Many people consider fasting to be just a religious act, while scientists have also accepted that many unique changes are seen in the body by fasting. Fasting is a condition when the body does not get food for a long time. As this time increases, many important biological and metabolic processes start in the body. Fasting for 45 hours causes changes in the body at different stages, which are related to the use of energy sources, muscle repair and hormonal changes. Let us tell you what changes happen in your body if you fast for 45 hours.

Recently, American podcaster Lex Fridman did a 3-hour long podcast with PM Narendra Modi. Fridman has revealed that he fasted for 45 hours for this interview. Before the podcast with the PM, Friedman drank only water for 45 hours. At the same time, PM Modi explained that fasting is not just skipping meals, it is a scientific process and it is deeply connected with traditional and Ayurvedic practices.

First 6-12 hours: Dependence on glucose

- For the first few hours after fasting begins, the body uses glucose as the primary energy source.

- After the food is digested, the level of sugar in the blood gradually starts decreasing.

- During this time, the body breaks down stored carbohydrates called glycogen and converts it into glucose, which helps in providing energy to the body.

- The pancreas reduces the production of insulin, due to which the body starts coming into fat-burning mode.

12-24 hours: Glycogen depletion and fat burning starts

- After about 12 hours, the body's glycogen stores start getting exhausted.

- The body now starts the process of fat breakdown (lipolysis) for energy.

– This process leads to ketosis, in which fat starts to form ketone bodies, which act as an alternative fuel for the brain and muscles. That is, the fat in your body starts burning and the body starts getting energy from it.

- The process of autophagy begins, in which new cells are formed by removing damaged cells and useless proteins.

24-36 hours: Autophagy increases, hormonal changes occur

- Autophagy becomes faster, due to which the body removes old and damaged cells and forms new cells. Many scientists even believe that cancer cells of the body are destroyed in the process of autophagy.

- The level of human growth hormone (HGH) increases by 3 to 5 times, which speeds up the process of muscle repair and fat burning.
– The level of adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones in the body increases, which causes the body to burn more fat.

- The body increases insulin sensitivity, which helps to control blood sugar in the future.

36-45 hours: Effects of deep fasting

- Glucose production now occurs primarily through gluconeogenesis, in which the body makes glucose from amino acids and lactic acid.

- The body regulates calorie consumption more efficiently, which can increase the metabolic rate by 10-15% instead of falling.

- Inflammation decreases, which can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

- Body fat starts getting used faster, which leads to weight loss.

– The process of deep cellular repair is accelerated, which leads to the development of new cells by removing old and weak cells.

Research on autophagy has been done all over the world

Fasting for 45 hours can trigger the process of autophagy in the body. Japanese scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi received the Nobel Prize for his research on autophagy. He showed that autophagy may be helpful in anti-aging, anti-cancer effects, and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's). A study conducted in 2019 found that fasting for more than 24 hours can trigger the autophagy process. At the same time, according to a study published in the journal Cell Metabolism in 2018, fasting for 48 hours can increase stem cell regeneration, thereby strengthening the immune system.

These can be the benefits in the body by fasting for 45 hours

1. Helps in weight loss: Fat burning process is faster.

2. Insulin sensitivity increases: Which reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.

3. Cellular cleansing through autophagy: Removes old and damaged cells.

4. Reduces inflammation: Which reduces the risk of arthritis, heart disease and other chronic diseases.

5. Improves brain health: Ketone bodies become an energy source for the brain, which increases mental clarity.

6. Relaxes the digestive system: Which improves intestinal efficiency.

7. May increase lifespan: Studies done on rats have indicated that fasting increases lifespan.

These people should not fast for 45 hours

- Pregnant or breastfeeding women.

- People suffering from type 1 diabetes or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

- Severe heart patients.

- Very weak or already very underweight people.

- People who feel dizzy, tired, weak or faint during fasting.