Lent is a term with deep cultural and religious roots. For Catholics, the period before Easter is a time of restraint, self-denial and spiritual concentration.
In modern times, however, we increasingly encounter fasting not only in a spiritual context, but also in connection with metabolic health, regeneration and conscious nutrition. Similar concepts also appear outside of a religious context in the form of intermittent fasting. At a time when people are learning to work with the value of food intake, the question naturally arises as to how to provide the body with quality nutrients. This is where concentrated natural sources of bioactive substances come into the discussion – for example spirulina and chlorella – microalgae containing protein, chlorophyll, phytonutrients and other minerals, which can be part of a balanced diet during periods of time-limited eating. The combination of these microalgae – spirulina and chlorella – is also found in the Green Detox Carnomed product, which combines them into a practical form for daily dietary supplementation. Thanks to its concentrated content of natural bioactive substances, Green detox is a simple way to support the intake of quality nutrients, especially when time is limited and the emphasis is on the nutritional value of each meal.
It can be said that it is precisely the shift of fasting from a spiritual context to a metabolic level that is generating greater interest among both professionals and the general public. However, this practice, which consists of time-restricted eating, is gaining attention not only for personal stories, but also for the results of several clinical studies.
If we go without food for a long time during the day, the body gradually changes its energy source. Once glucose reserves are depleted, fat reserves are mobilised and insulin levels decrease. This transition is associated with improved insulin sensitivity, which means that cells respond more effectively to insulin and thus better regulate blood sugar levels.
Research published in Cell Metabolism in 2018 showed that time-restricted eating can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce body weight, and positively affect cardiometabolic indicators such as triglyceride levels and inflammatory markers¹. In addition to changes in energy metabolism, prolonged fasting also triggers processes that experts refer to as autophagy. This is a mechanism in which cells break down damaged structures and recycle them into new components. This phenomenon was described in detail in research that won the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for Japanese scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi². In laboratory experiments, Ohsumi demonstrated that when cells are exposed to fasting, they activate autophagy and cleanse their own interiors, which increases their resistance and viability. Subsequent research has shown that autophagy plays an important role in protecting against neurodegenerative diseases and regulating cells under stress. However, it should be noted that these results were obtained under specific conditions and cannot be automatically generalised to the entire population.
Various forms of intermittent fasting have also been studied in relation to weight control. Several clinical reviews have shown that reducing energy intake consistently leads to weight loss, improved lipid profile and reduced risk factors for metabolic syndrome³. However, the results often depend on the total calorie deficit and the individual’s lifestyle.
For adults without serious health problems, time-restricted eating can be a relatively safe way to structure meals and limit frequent calorie intake throughout the day. It is possible that some people find a clear structure more convenient than constantly monitoring their portions throughout the day. This leads to better appetite control and increased metabolic flexibility, i.e. the body’s ability to switch between different energy sources.
This does not mean that fasting is suitable for everyone. Fasting may be unsuitable or even risky for pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with eating disorders, those who are underweight, or people with certain chronic diseases. Patients with type 2 diabetes who are taking medication that affects blood sugar levels require special assessment and supervision by a healthcare professional⁴.
Fasting has two different but interestingly connected aspects. In religious tradition, it is a symbol of self-denial, concentration and reflection. In modern nutrition, it is a metabolic adaptation that changes the way we view the time and amount of food we consume. In both cases, it is a conscious restriction, whether for spiritual purification or health benefits.
In times of abundance, fasting can also serve as a reminder that eating is not just an automatic response to availability, but rather a conscious decision about when and what we consume. I see it as a phenomenon that reflects the need to find a balance between tradition, science and individual approach. Fasting may not be miraculous, but it can be a tool for self-knowledge and a sensible approach to nutrition.
Ing. Mária Zajičková, PhD.
organic chemist, science populariser
1. Sutton, E. F., Beyl, R., Early, K. S., Cefalu, W. T., Ravussin, E., & Peterson, C. M. (2018). Early time-restricted feeding improves insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and oxidative stress even without weight loss in men with prediabetes. Cell Metabolism, 27(6), 1212–1221.
2. Ohsumi, Y. (2014). Historical landmarks of autophagy research. Cell Research, 24(1), 9–23.
3. Varady, K. A. (2015). Intermittent fasting and metabolic health: A review of human studies. Annual Review of Nutrition, 35, 291–310.
4. Patterson, R. E., & Sears, D. D. (2017). Metabolic effects of intermittent fasting. Annual Review of Nutrition, 37, 371–393.
Explanatory notes:
Insulin sensitivity – the ability of cells to effectively regulate blood sugar levels.
Cardiometabolic indicators – parameters such as triglycerides, HDL cholesterol or inflammatory markers
Metabolic flexibility – the body’s ability to adapt to changes in energy sources
Autophagy – an intracellular process of recycling damaged structures
