Fasting to improve health is in no way a new fad and it certainly hasn’t made its way through the ages because it is making some diet guru wealthy. In fact, this is likely the least expensive and most effective health treatment there is.
Fasts have been done throughout the centuries for many reasons, some religious, some spiritual, as forms of protest, and for health. We are going to focus strictly on the health benefits.
Fasts can be done strictly on water or as a juice fast. For juice fasts, it’s recommended to do your own juicing to get the maximum amount of nutritional benefit. Water fasting detoxifies and heals more quickly as your body relies solely on stored fat for fuel, which is where toxins are stored. Burning off the fat releases the toxins and allows you to eliminate them through various bodily systems.
When you halt the intake of food it does several things. First and foremost it gives your body a chance to rest from the constant digestion process. During this time the body can spend its energy on self-healing and repair any damaged organs. It allows your body to cleanse on a cellular level from toxins and waste products. *If the person has taken in a large amount of recreational or prescription drugs the release of them into the system may be too harsh with water. Juice and possibly a raw diet are recommended instead to avoid damage to the liver.
How do you know if you need to do a fast? So long as you are not taking medication that has to be taken with food, are currently pregnant or nursing, or have a special medical condition, a fast should not be harmful to you in any way and beneficial in many.
Fasts can be used when you are feeling sluggish, tired, have a cold after cold and just cannot seem to get back to health or are experiencing aches, pains or emotional ups and downs. They are also used by many who choose to fast simply based on the knowledge that the body needs downtime to regenerate properly.
While fasting and after fasting is completed you may experience:
Improved energy levels
Brighter more glowing skin
Healthier teeth and gums
Deeper more restful sleep
A clean and healthy cardiovascular system
A decrease in anxiety and tension
Dramatic reduction or complete elimination of aches and pains in muscles and joints
Decrease or elimination of headaches
Stabilization of blood pressure
Stronger and more efficient digestion
Stabilization of bowel movements
Weight loss
Elimination of stored toxins
Improvement with a wide variety of chronic degenerative health conditions, including autoimmune disorders
Some of the conditions that respond best to fasting include, but are not limited to acne, eczema, psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, Chron’s disease, high blood pressure, asthma, allergies, headaches, benign tumors, uterine fibroids and even lupus.
Supplements and vitamins are not recommended during a fast. Once the fast is over resume your normal intake, they will be more readily absorbable at this point.
People sometimes avoid fasting because they worry it will lower their metabolism. This simply is not the case. Metabolic rates change – speeding up and slowing down based on our physiological needs at that time. When a fast is broken and the person returns to eating normally and participating in regular activities the metabolic rate will increase as well.
The length of time for which you fast is a personal choice. Fasts can last from 24 hours, to in extreme cases 21 to 40 days. Intermittent fasting is used often for weight loss with a regiment of 24-hour fasts 1-2 times a week eating normally the rest of the time. For illness longer, fasts are generally done allowing your body the time it needs to get back to health.
It is important to remember that your body is always working to heal itself. But think of your body as a computer. You only have so much RAM, if you have multiple programs running at the same time the performance suffers. Close all but one program and it runs faster and more efficiently. Your body works in much the same way in regard to digestion and healing and fasting.
It is also important to be patient and kind to yourself during a fast. When toxins are released you may temporarily feel bad. Just go with the experience, know it is a temporary state, and let it go. You will soon be feeling better than ever.
Chiropractor & Nutritionist in Fort Myers, FL.
Chiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent them before they start?
Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor, and nutritionist in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.