Fasting

is a hot new trend. neil Jones, one of the professional dancers on strictly Come Dancing, has just gone four days without eating — and told everyone about it on social media. But this is not a new fad. For centuries, people have endured periods of abstinence from food and drink, often for religious reasons. now it’s so they can brag about it on twitter! Fasting might make you feel good (as all my anorexic patients tell me), because starvation triggers the release of a chemical in the brain that has a similar effect to the drug ecstasy. it also gives you a sense of control over your body. But don’t ever kid yourself it’s healthy!