Hormone
Circadian Cortisol in Response to a 72-hour Fast in RA Patients – (05-10-01)
Circadian Cortisol in Response to a 72-hour Fast in RA Patients
Fasting has long been a tool used in functional medicine and this study does show one aspect of why this is beneficial. An increase in cortisol, the body’s own natural anti-inflammatory hormone, is increase in patients while fasting. A few things to consider here before you go on a 72 hour fast. First, one of the main goals of a fast is to halt the insulting of the body with foods that the patient may be allergic to while giving the liver a chance to eliminate backlogged toxins. Next, I always recommend therapeutic fasting–replenshing the body with substances needed for healthy detoxification (supporting both phase I and II). Finally, cortisol can be a very damaging hormone if the body is exposed to it for extended periods. It is designed to be produced in response to stress to help our bodies get through the stressful period and then be gone. Proper attention to adrenal function is essential for maintaining a healthy, balanced cortisol response.
Springer LINK: Clinical Rheumatology – Abstract Volume 20 Issue 2 (2001) pp 85-87
