While fasting has been practiced for hundreds, if not thousands of years in several different religions, the fasting we do today is typically promoted for its long list of health benefits
Hagen TM, Ingersoll RT, Wehr CM, Lykkesfeldt J, Vinarsky V, Bartholomew JC, Song MH, Ames BN: Acetyl-L-carnitine fed to old rats partially restores mitochondrial function and ambulatory activity
10.1016/j.jplph.2009.05.016 47 Gall.CzkusZ.BelaK.HorvthE.CsiszrJ.PorP
HGH, on the other hand, focuses on the end result (the hormone itself) rather than the signalling pathways that lead to its release
5.4.3 Dihydromyricetin Dihydromyricetin (DHM), the main flavonoid in rattan tea, exhibits broad pharmacological effects, including cardioprotection, anti-diabetes, hepatoprotection, neuroprotection, and anti-tumor activity