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Fasting In Nature
By: Dr. Alec Burton
When we closely examine the animal
world we discover that fasting is almost
as common as feeding. But aside from
fasting per se there are two similar
conditions, which are related to our
subject. They are hibernation and
aestivation.
It is a universal verity that animals have some means of adaptation to food
scarcity. Obvious examples of this are squirrels storing nuts, bees storing
honey, chipmunks storing roots and nuts, beavers storing twigs, and finally
other animals capable of storing significant food reserves within themselves.
These are the animals, which hibernate. They undergo a period of winter
sleep. Their metabolism is slowed down and they take no food for long
periods of time.
Bats, mice, hedgehogs, woodchucks, toads, lizards, snakes, flies, wasps,
bees, bears, crocodiles, and alligators are among those that undergo some
degree of hibernation.
True hibernation is a dormant state of existence accompanied by great
diminution of respiration, circulation, and metabolism. At this time, the
animals' functions are almost suspended.
Body heat is little. Action of the heart is almost imperceptible, and as much as
40% of the animals total weight may be exhausted by the time it recommences
feeding.
True hibernation is restricted to only a few animals: hedgehog, dormouse,
marmot, and bat. This is a state where most of the essential vital functions
continue at a very low level or degree.
They are referred to by biologists as "imperfectly warm blooded types" which
are unable to produce enough heat to make good their losses in cold weather.
It is probable that the biologists' conception is inaccurate because in a
number of species it is only the female that hibernates, which would suggest
that it is food scarcity rather than temperature that precipitates hibernation.
Conversely, aestivation is a similar process, which occurs in the summer time,
and quite obviously these are not cold-blooded animals. An example is the
tenree of Madagascar. This climatic dormancy requires that the organism
make a variety of gradual physiological and biochemical adjustments that
apparently correlate with temperature, light, and food scarcity.
Different hibernators adapt to different sets of conditions. Some store food,
others do not. Some accumulate a great deal of fat and food reserves, others
do not.
However, there is a general preparation for the period of hibernation. An
increase in fat deposition and adjustments of body temperature or what
appears to be a "resetting" of the body thermostat are common.
Metabolism adjusts; the heart and cardiovascular system show generally
lower levels of activity. A number of biochemical changes associated with the
nutritional adaptation are evident.
There is an increase of the element magnesium in the blood and the endocrine
glands reduce their activity. This is especially so of the gonads. It is generally
agreed among experts and observers that hibernation follows normal sleep.
In other words the state is entered via sleep.
If, however, hibernation is to be looked upon as a type of sleep, it is an
extremely complex one. But one factor, which is dominant, is energy
conservation. All the adapted devices conserve the energy of the organism
concerned.
One extremely interesting feature of hibernation, which is of particular interest
to us in our studies of fasting, is the apparent improvement of health
experienced by hibernating animals.
According to observers, they do not develop "infectious" diseases. They are
said: "to have a greater resistance to disease" or at least some of its causes.
It is claimed that the host's defensive mechanisms against parasites and their
proliferation is substantially increased, it has also been demonstrated that the
hibernating organism is more resistant to radiation and especially are the
tissues rejuvenated and more capable of healing following the period of
hibernation.
Hibernation is in many ways an important survival mechanism.
As I mentioned earlier, hibernation and aestivation are interesting examples in
our quest for understanding the biology of fasting; but as it is not possible for
man to significantly reduce his physiological and metabolic processes, we
cannot extrapolate from the lower mammals to man knowledge, which is
gained in this way.
It need hardly be said that the living organism requires materials with which to
work. It requires nutrients to fuel its biological processes. It requires nutrients
as a source of energy and to provide the needed materials for the repair of
wear and tear, for healing or regeneration, and for reproduction.
It also requires a variety of other essential substances, minerals and vitamins,
which are necessary for the regulation of the body's processes. Simply
stated, it is not possible for an organism to survive without nutrients.
Professor Morgulis states that during a fast, an organism is living off the fat of
the land. The Gila monster, a large lizard of the southwestern desert in Mexico,
in fact a poisonous reptile, has a conspicuously large heavy tail.
This is a source of nutrients in times of food scarcity and it is well known that
the lizard is capable of going for extended periods of time without food. In one
observation, one fasted in excess of two months.
It is commonly thought by people that the camel, having a large hump, is
capable of traveling long distances without water. It is more true that the
camel is capable because of its hump of going for long periods of time without
food.
The fat-tail sheep of Iran has an enormous reserve of nutrients available to it
during times of scarcity. During periods of abundance, it stores food in the
tail, which is utilized when scarcity prevails.
As we would expect, there are many and diverse differences among the
different species of animals so far as fasting and stored food reserves are
concerned. As we have seen, some animals hibernate—they are inactive for
long periods, perhaps six or seven months.
Conversely, there are animals that engage in vigorous physical activity while
fasting. The Alaskan fur seal bull and the salmon are common examples. The
fur seal engages in tremendous and relentless sexual activity over a period of
twenty to thirty days during which it takes no food.
During their long upstream swim salmon do not take food. It is also claimed
that whales are capable of abstaining from food for long periods of time.
Professor Morgulis states in his book, Fasting And Under Nutrition that:
"Active growth and regeneration are not incompatible with inanition and the
wear and tear at least in some organisms is so completely repaired as to evade
for a long time the effect of nutritional stringency. Inanition does not preclude
the ability for extreme and sustained exertion."
It should be stressed that so far as our own discussion is concerned, we are
advocating fasting as a means of physiological rest and this should be
associated with physical, mental, emotional, and sensory rest so far as
practicable.
One of the most unusual and fascinating examples of fasting is that it takes
place during metamorphosis, which represents a complete change of form
during the life of an insect or other living creature.
A good example of this is the tadpole during its period of transformation to a
frog. It does not shed its tail, the tail contains nutrients; proteins,
carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins. It is a source of nourishment for
the changing organism.
We observe the process of "autolysis" which is the breakdown of stored
nutritional reserves by the inter and intracellular enzymes. The nutrients are
not usable as glycogen, fat, protein, etc. They must first be digested inside
and thus supply the changing organism with basic materials to develop its
new form.
We will observe in this that the process of "autolysis" is a rigidly controlled
series of events. The developing frog does not suddenly lose one of its newly
formed legs or part of an eye. It only breaks down the needless tail.
Another example of this important biological process, which in life is going on
all the time, is the common aspect of healing with the absorption of a ring of
callus, which temporarily supports a fracture, when a bone has sustained an
injury.
By this remarkable process, this supporting ring is slowly removed. We see
evidence of the same thing where congestive deposits surround a lesion, cut,
or surface on the body—how these are rapidly broken down and removed.
There are literally thousands of examples of fasting in nature, and it is indeed
almost as common as feeding.
By: Dr. Alec Burton www.alecburton.com
Article: Fasting In Nature
www.rawfoodexplained.com/introduction-to-fasting/fasting-in-nature.html
By: Dr. Alec Burton
When we closely examine the animal
world we discover that fasting is almost
as common as feeding. But aside from
fasting per se there are two similar
conditions, which are related to our
subject. They are hibernation and
aestivation.
It is a universal verity that animals have some means of adaptation to food
scarcity. Obvious examples of this are squirrels storing nuts, bees storing
honey, chipmunks storing roots and nuts, beavers storing twigs, and finally
other animals capable of storing significant food reserves within themselves.
These are the animals, which hibernate. They undergo a period of winter
sleep. Their metabolism is slowed down and they take no food for long
periods of time.
Bats, mice, hedgehogs, woodchucks, toads, lizards, snakes, flies, wasps,
bees, bears, crocodiles, and alligators are among those that undergo some
degree of hibernation.
True hibernation is a dormant state of existence accompanied by great
diminution of respiration, circulation, and metabolism. At this time, the
animals' functions are almost suspended.
Body heat is little. Action of the heart is almost imperceptible, and as much as
40% of the animals total weight may be exhausted by the time it recommences
feeding.
True hibernation is restricted to only a few animals: hedgehog, dormouse,
marmot, and bat. This is a state where most of the essential vital functions
continue at a very low level or degree.
They are referred to by biologists as "imperfectly warm blooded types" which
are unable to produce enough heat to make good their losses in cold weather.
It is probable that the biologists' conception is inaccurate because in a
number of species it is only the female that hibernates, which would suggest
that it is food scarcity rather than temperature that precipitates hibernation.
Conversely, aestivation is a similar process, which occurs in the summer time,
and quite obviously these are not cold-blooded animals. An example is the
tenree of Madagascar. This climatic dormancy requires that the organism
make a variety of gradual physiological and biochemical adjustments that
apparently correlate with temperature, light, and food scarcity.
Different hibernators adapt to different sets of conditions. Some store food,
others do not. Some accumulate a great deal of fat and food reserves, others
do not.
However, there is a general preparation for the period of hibernation. An
increase in fat deposition and adjustments of body temperature or what
appears to be a "resetting" of the body thermostat are common.
Metabolism adjusts; the heart and cardiovascular system show generally
lower levels of activity. A number of biochemical changes associated with the
nutritional adaptation are evident.
There is an increase of the element magnesium in the blood and the endocrine
glands reduce their activity. This is especially so of the gonads. It is generally
agreed among experts and observers that hibernation follows normal sleep.
In other words the state is entered via sleep.
If, however, hibernation is to be looked upon as a type of sleep, it is an
extremely complex one. But one factor, which is dominant, is energy
conservation. All the adapted devices conserve the energy of the organism
concerned.
One extremely interesting feature of hibernation, which is of particular interest
to us in our studies of fasting, is the apparent improvement of health
experienced by hibernating animals.
According to observers, they do not develop "infectious" diseases. They are
said: "to have a greater resistance to disease" or at least some of its causes.
It is claimed that the host's defensive mechanisms against parasites and their
proliferation is substantially increased, it has also been demonstrated that the
hibernating organism is more resistant to radiation and especially are the
tissues rejuvenated and more capable of healing following the period of
hibernation.
Hibernation is in many ways an important survival mechanism.
As I mentioned earlier, hibernation and aestivation are interesting examples in
our quest for understanding the biology of fasting; but as it is not possible for
man to significantly reduce his physiological and metabolic processes, we
cannot extrapolate from the lower mammals to man knowledge, which is
gained in this way.
It need hardly be said that the living organism requires materials with which to
work. It requires nutrients to fuel its biological processes. It requires nutrients
as a source of energy and to provide the needed materials for the repair of
wear and tear, for healing or regeneration, and for reproduction.
It also requires a variety of other essential substances, minerals and vitamins,
which are necessary for the regulation of the body's processes. Simply
stated, it is not possible for an organism to survive without nutrients.
Professor Morgulis states that during a fast, an organism is living off the fat of
the land. The Gila monster, a large lizard of the southwestern desert in Mexico,
in fact a poisonous reptile, has a conspicuously large heavy tail.
This is a source of nutrients in times of food scarcity and it is well known that
the lizard is capable of going for extended periods of time without food. In one
observation, one fasted in excess of two months.
It is commonly thought by people that the camel, having a large hump, is
capable of traveling long distances without water. It is more true that the
camel is capable because of its hump of going for long periods of time without
food.
The fat-tail sheep of Iran has an enormous reserve of nutrients available to it
during times of scarcity. During periods of abundance, it stores food in the
tail, which is utilized when scarcity prevails.
As we would expect, there are many and diverse differences among the
different species of animals so far as fasting and stored food reserves are
concerned. As we have seen, some animals hibernate—they are inactive for
long periods, perhaps six or seven months.
Conversely, there are animals that engage in vigorous physical activity while
fasting. The Alaskan fur seal bull and the salmon are common examples. The
fur seal engages in tremendous and relentless sexual activity over a period of
twenty to thirty days during which it takes no food.
During their long upstream swim salmon do not take food. It is also claimed
that whales are capable of abstaining from food for long periods of time.
Professor Morgulis states in his book, Fasting And Under Nutrition that:
"Active growth and regeneration are not incompatible with inanition and the
wear and tear at least in some organisms is so completely repaired as to evade
for a long time the effect of nutritional stringency. Inanition does not preclude
the ability for extreme and sustained exertion."
It should be stressed that so far as our own discussion is concerned, we are
advocating fasting as a means of physiological rest and this should be
associated with physical, mental, emotional, and sensory rest so far as
practicable.
One of the most unusual and fascinating examples of fasting is that it takes
place during metamorphosis, which represents a complete change of form
during the life of an insect or other living creature.
A good example of this is the tadpole during its period of transformation to a
frog. It does not shed its tail, the tail contains nutrients; proteins,
carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins. It is a source of nourishment for
the changing organism.
We observe the process of "autolysis" which is the breakdown of stored
nutritional reserves by the inter and intracellular enzymes. The nutrients are
not usable as glycogen, fat, protein, etc. They must first be digested inside
and thus supply the changing organism with basic materials to develop its
new form.
We will observe in this that the process of "autolysis" is a rigidly controlled
series of events. The developing frog does not suddenly lose one of its newly
formed legs or part of an eye. It only breaks down the needless tail.
Another example of this important biological process, which in life is going on
all the time, is the common aspect of healing with the absorption of a ring of
callus, which temporarily supports a fracture, when a bone has sustained an
injury.
By this remarkable process, this supporting ring is slowly removed. We see
evidence of the same thing where congestive deposits surround a lesion, cut,
or surface on the body—how these are rapidly broken down and removed.
There are literally thousands of examples of fasting in nature, and it is indeed
almost as common as feeding.
By: Dr. Alec Burton www.alecburton.com
Article: Fasting In Nature
www.rawfoodexplained.com/introduction-to-fasting/fasting-in-nature.html
Alec Burton