At reroot, we see fasting as not just a health tool, but an ancestral ritual woven through the fabric of spiritual tradition and evolutionary intelligence. Whether it's intermittent fasting or multi-day fasts, this ancient discipline echoes the wisdom of our ancestors and aligns perfectly with our mission to reroot in natural clarity.
The Ancestral & Spiritual Roots of Fasting
Long before fasting was a trending biohack, it was a sacred act of renewal. Across religious and ancestral traditions, fasting has always served as a portal to clarity, resilience, and devotion.
- Christianity: Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness, a model of spiritual preparation (Matthew 4:2).
- Islam: Ramadan is a time for fasting from sunrise to sunset, cultivating restraint and reverence.
- Judaism: Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av include complete fasts to foster reflection and humility.
- Hinduism: Fasting is tied to lunar calendars and rituals, purifying the mind and body.
- Buddhism: Monks fast to deepen meditation and break attachment to worldly desires.
- Indigenous Traditions: Vision quests and rites of passage often involve fasting for spiritual insight.
Fasting isn’t about denial—it’s about discipline and sacred simplicity.
Modern Benefits of Fasting: What Science Confirms
🕐 Intermittent Fasting (12–20 hours)
- Boosts Human Growth Hormone: Helps with fat burning and muscle regeneration.
- Improves Insulin Sensitivity: Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Cellular Autophagy: Triggers a deep cellular cleanup, removing damaged structures and reducing inflammation1.
- Supports Mental Clarity: Increases BDNF and neurotransmitter balance for sharp focus.
🔥 Extended Fasts (24–72 hours)
- Deep Autophagy: Extended fasting increases gene expression related to longevity2.
- Stem Cell Regeneration: Research shows multi-day fasts stimulate immune cell renewal3.
- Fat Adaptation: Trains the body to burn stored fat more efficiently.
- Spiritual Clarity: Many report emotional breakthroughs and heightened awareness.
“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” — Matthew 6:17-18
Why Fasting Fits the reroot Philosophy
Just like our tallow-based balms nourish the skin in a biologically compatible way, fasting nourishes the body by giving it space to reset. It realigns us with the wisdom of our ancestors—who knew that silence, stillness, and space could heal more than modern chaos ever could.
At reroot, we see fasting as a return to the wild intelligence of the human body. It’s not about restriction—it’s about reverence.
Tips to Start Fasting the Ancestral Way
- 🌅 Start Small: Try a 12-hour fast and slowly increase your window.
- 🥩 Break It Right: Use nutrient-dense, easy-to-digest foods like bone broth or grass-fed fats.
- 🌿 Stay Nourished: Drink mineral-rich water or herbal teas with sea salt.
- 🌞 Follow the Sun: Fast during dark hours, eat with the sun—nature’s rhythm knows best.
- 🧘♀️ Fast with Intention: Pray, meditate, or spend time in nature during your fast.
The Final Word: Rerooting in Resilience
Fasting is more than a practice—it’s a way of remembering who we are. It brings us back to simplicity, sharpens our senses, and teaches us that strength often comes from stillness.
Welcome to the reroot way—where even doing “nothing” becomes a path to vitality, clarity, and ancestral harmony.
References
- Yoshinori Ohsumi. Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 2016. nobelprize.org
- Madeo F, et al. Fasting-Mimicking Diet and Cellular Protection. Cell Metabolism, 2015. cell.com
- Cheng CW, et al. Prolonged Fasting and Stem Cell-Based Regeneration. Cell Stem Cell, 2014. cell.com