Fasting your way to health! Less food, more life.

[tgibson3770]

Health Benefits of Fasting

1. Fasting initiates rapid weight loss with little or no hunger. Most people are surprised at how little desire for food they have while fasting.

2. Fasting promotes detoxification. As the body breaks down its fat reserves, it mobilizes and eliminates stored toxins.

3. Fasting gives the digestive system a much-needed rest. After fasting, both digestion and elimination are invigorated.

4. Fasting promotes the resolution of inflammatory processes, such as in rheumatoid arthritis.

5. Fasting quiets allergic reactions, including asthma and hay fever.

6. Fasting promotes the drying up of abnormal fluid accumulations, such as edema in the ankles and legs and swelling in the abdomen.

7. Fasting corrects high blood pressure without drugs. Fasting will normalize blood pressure in the vast majority of cases, the blood pressure will remain low after the fast, if the person follows a health-supporting diet and lifestyle.

8. Fasting makes it easy to overcome bad habits and addictions. Many people have overcome tobacco and alcohol addictions by fasting, and even drug addictions. Fasting rapidly dissipates the craving for nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and other drugs.

9. Fasting clears the skin and whitens the eyes. It is common to see skin eruptions clear while fasting, and the whites of the eyes never look so clear and bright as they do after fasting.

10. Fasting restores taste appreciation for wholesome natural foods. People say that their taste buds come alive after fasting and that food never tasted so good.

11. Fasting is the perfect gateway to a healthful diet and lifestyle. Going on a fast gives you the motivation and enthusiasm to make a fresh start.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Has there really been any definitive research in this area? Definitive proof that fasting is good for you. I don't think the claims fasters make have been proven.

But the proof I guess is how they feel.

I for one can't fast, I get hypoglycemic, anxious, and generally insane. I have tried.

[tgibson3770]

You eventually get over that. The poisons in your body are being extracted and will give you moments of discomfort. If you could hold out, you will find a renewal of your strength. And you feel much better, especially after a 14 day water fast. You talk about enlightenment! Awesome. Buy a tongue brusher though. Poisons will coat your tongue and give you really bad breath. But persist through this and eat raw fruits and vegetables after breaking the fast and you will live a life that is complete and is very fulfilling.

I had very poor vision, excess weight and was depressed about my total well being as if I had sold my soul to the devil type of feeling. But I one day made up my mind that I was tired of living a defeated life and pushed myself to the edge to make a profound change in my life.

Now I have excellent vision, lost all the excess body fat, but not any more than what I should. And I am inspiring others to do the same. I have witnessed diagnosis of cancer disappear after going on a raw foods diet and fasting.

Your body knows how to heal itself. Unfortunately there are some that have gone beyond the point of no return to come back now. It is sad to see people who have sold themselves short to a complete life full of vitality and stregnth. Godspeed.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by tgibson3770

I had very poor vision, excess weight and was depressed about my total well being as if I had sold my soul to the devil type of feeling.

Ah, then you can relate nonjudgementally to those of us who aren't the picture of health yet?

Thanks for the advise. I wish I could get over that hump, but haven't been able to so far. I figure the stress of the fast was too much on my body to do any good. :)

[angelbear]

Fasting for short periods and under the direction of a physician can be very beneficial. However for a vey large portion of society a prolonged fast could be deadly. It is nothing to play around with.

[Brownms46]

Plus the fact the you lose mostly water weight, and you teach the body to store fat. :).

[Chttynurs]

I'm curious, what exactly does fasting entail? Is it JUST drinking water? And for how long? Is it a sudden change? For example, today I'm eating my regular diet (not a good one, I might add), so do I just stop eating tomorrow? I've often thought about a whether a short fast would 'kick start' my body into a healthier mode. Are there any good websites with information? :)

[EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN]

Tgibson,

Do you have any research to support your statements? They sound decidely non-scientific, especially since you are referring to "poisions" and magically correcting your eyesight. Just what "poisions" are you talking about, free radicals, metabolic by-products, etc.? Fasting can be extremely dangerous for those with certain health conditions, such as diabetes. The only healthy and long-term way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you are taking in.... that means eating healthy and exercising.

[cindylouwho]

fasting makes me hypoglycemic....heck I can barely make it home in time to get some food in me from exercising so I don't feel lethargic and nauseated and just want to lay down the rest of the day.....good food gives you strength and energy..fasting makes me lethargic and tired

[talldollNYC]

IMHO (and of course, always check with your Dr before beginning any sort of "health regimen") gentle fasting is beneficial - it gives the GI tract some time to rest.

If you've never done one before, try a modified fast. Consuming only fresh fruit and vegetable juice for two to three days is a good way to start.

I usually do a modified fast once a month, just to clean things out. It helps me break the habit of eating junkfood, too.

I'd be wary of anything longer than a week - especially if you are only allowing water (no juice). That seems like it would be stressful for the body.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I fast for 24 hours during lent with only fruit juices.

renerian

[agent]

dont you think you've made enough of these kind of topics today???