Fasting

Introduction

Fasting has been around with us for centuries and is one of the best natural healing mechanisms.

Our bodies naturally start to fast when we are sick – the saying feed the cold starve a fever is very close to the mark. Hindu Yogis are very well known for fasting. Paracelsus and Hippocrates fathers of western medicine prescribed and practiced fasting for all serious ailments and stated it as an excellent preventative regimen. In religious text fasting is often mentioned, Jesus fasted up to 40 days at a time and Prophet Mohammed in the Muslim texts was also known to fast.

Simply put the body takes in food, converts it to energy and then eliminates the waste matter. Many natural health practitioners believe and know that over time if you do not cleanse the body it gets build up of toxins in the blood and organs. This can then go onto cause all sorts of symptoms: headaches; digestive problems such as diverticulitis, colitis; skin complaints; foul perspiration and body odour as it tries to clear itself or else it gives up the battle and succumbs to chronic conditions such as cancer and heart disease for instance.

What happens when you start to fast

When you stop eating or start to fast the body kicks into a wondrous process of cleansing itself. Within 24 hours your enzymes, the chemicals that help to breakdown food in the gut, are re-circulated into other parts of the body and start to clear out waste matter in the blood, intestines and the organs including getting rid of dead and damaged cells, bacteria and viruses and pollutants.

Cleansing Symptoms

As accumulated toxins are released from tissues and organs into the blood stream this causes you to feel discomfort, sometimes you can feel pretty rough. It is best not to panic, as this is some ways it is a good sign, as you know toxins are being eliminated. Sometimes you can use enemas which help get rid of the toxins in your bowel faster, but it best to ensure that the bowel is working well and you are not constipated before starting the fast. Symptoms which are sometimes felt include headaches, joint aches, tiredness and restlessness. If you persevere the reactions do ease off and the benefits are much greater.

Bear in mind that some people do pass worms or thick rubber strands of material that has been stuck to the sides of the colon for years starts to release itself. (I have photo’s for proof!!)

Benefits of Fasting

There are so many benefits that can be gained from fasting not all are listed here. Here are a few of the main ones:

• Fasting allows the body to refocus its resources permitting enzymes in the body to clean the house instead: digesting and eliminating dead and damaged tissue and helping in repairing and constructing new cells.
• Allows the body to re-establish its acid / alkali balance. As there are many illness created from acidosis (build up of acid in the body), for instance acid build up in joints creates crystals leading to the condition arthritis. Fasting helps to release the acid crystals and other toxins in the joints allowing for proper repair and build up in the joints.
• Fasting helps mental illness – Daniel Reid quotes in his book that in Russia, where fasting is called the ‘hunger cure’, spectacular results have been achieved. A Dr Yuri Nikolayev of the Moscow Research Institute of Psychiatry in 1972 reported successful treatment of over 7,000 patients suffering from various psychological disorders such as schizophrenia and neurosis.
• Infertility – the body has mechanisms of shutting systems down if bathed in toxicity. This is nature’s way of protecting the child and mother and will prevent conception if the body is toxic. Combined with adequate nutrition and excellent cleansing methods a childless couple may naturally find they can easily restore the balance within their body.
• Digestive problems, which now fall into the top 10 of conditions most people suffer, can be significantly helped with fasting.
• Easing joint conditions and improved mobility.
• Improved skin conditions (hair and nails improve too)
• Reduction of mucus and catarrh in the body.
• Hormonal assistance.
• Faster recovery from illnesses and convalescence.
• Much more zest and vitality.

Types of Fasting

• Fruit Fast
• Vegetable Fast
• Juice Fasting
• Water Fasts (extreme)

Fasting can be done over one, three or seven days.

Cautions

• People with chronic ill health must be monitored by an experience naturopath
• The weak or convalescing
• Bleeding from the bowel or coughing
• Pregnant women
• Anyone suffering anorexia

I recommend people interested in fasting to find a qualified Naturopath who will put together a suitable fast for the individual and their particular constitution.

I often put clients onto a fasting programme as an intensive form of treatment. I don’t see it as extreme for instance I would prefer to fast rather than having my colon cut out by a surgeon – that, I do see as extreme.

I also use fasting for preventative health or health maintenance programmes too.

Case Studies

Fasting has helped in alleviating digestive problems – extreme bloatedness and indigestion. One of my patients passed quite a lot of parasites; her skin and health were glowing afterwards.

Another patient had been in and out of hospital, on many drugs and in a lot of pain over two years. Within 7 days of doing a juice fast her digestive pain cleared up. She was diagnosed as having ulcerative colitis.

A cancer patient said all her joint pains and aches cleared up and she her joints were much freer. She also experience intense chemical smell coming out through her skin which she said smelt like the drugs being used in her chemotherapy.

 

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