‘FASTING SAFELY FOR HEALTH’

Felling a little flat this spring- no zip? After a winter of heavier foods that helped us stay warm on those cold days we may very well need a break from food. Before you stop reading understand fasting is not starvation. Fasting is an effective and safe method of detoxifying the body used by man for centuries to heal the sick and rest the mind and body.

You can help your body unload unwanted toxins during its slump time by not eating heavy foods and using short periods of fasting. Studies show a person can extend their life by several years through the use of intermittent regular fasting. You heal faster, give your organs a rest, clean your liver and kidneys, purify your blood, cleanse the colon, lose unnecessary weight clear the eyes and tongue and lose excess water weight- all by just not eating. Here’s why:

We do not think of digestion as work, yet 80% of the energy produced by the food we eat in a day’s time will go towards the digestion of that food. If we are ill, or if we eat poor quality foods that figure may go even higher. That’s a hefty expenditure of energy. If our body is not working to digest food all the time, that energy can then be turned towards healing.

A 24-72 hour vegetable juice fast can be used by most individuals with excellent results. Fresh juices using lots of carrot, celery and a large variety of green things, cabbage, parsley, spinach and leafy greens.

A well-designed cleansing fast is one of the most natural and least invasive therapies for healing. This is not to say it is easy or without some adverse transitional effects. Depending upon your general health the first day of a fast may find you fatigued, possibly having some nausea, headache or weakness. Do not ignore extreme symptoms or weakness. Feed your body some fresh fruit such as watermelon if you feel weakened or famished to a point that is not tolerable.

Never fast strictly on water. Toxins are shed off too quickly and precious minerals are lost. Diabetics and hypoglycemics should never fast without also using a quality protein supplement and direction from a physician. Spirulina a near perfect food is a good choice.

Always be gentle with your body. When starting a fast be sure to use at least two days of gentle foods, light soups, rice, fresh vegetables and fruit, no meat and plenty of purified water. Do the same when coming off a fast. Heavy meats, grains and fats will throw your body off worse than if you had not fasted at all.

Longer fasts should not be undertaken without the help of a professional experienced in fasting. If you take medication on a daily basis or suffer with some kind of chronic illness you should not fast more than 12-24 hours without consulting a professional. Till next time, Rebecca