The Many Benefits of Fasting

Everyday our bodies are bombarded with toxins. These toxins build up in our bodies as a result of pollutants in the air we breath, chemicals in the food and water we consume, and many other means. Periodically, our bodies seek to rid themselves of these toxins, and releases them from the tissues, and into our bloodstream. During such a cycle, our bodies are more prone to illness such as excessive fatigue, headaches, diarrhea and even depression.

This is where fasting comes in. Fasting is a simple and effective way to safely help the body detoxify itself and move through this "down" cycle with less symptoms and greater speed. In fact, fasting is also beneficial for many illnesses, because it gives your body the rest it needs to recover. When you relieve the body of the work of digesting foods, fasting allows your system to rid itself of toxins, while facilitating healing.

Fasting however, is not only helpful when you are feeling ill. When you fast regularly, you are giving all of your organs a rest which can help slow the aging process and allow you to live a longer and healthier life. When you fast, energy that is usually used for digestion can be used for other important tasks such as cell growth and immune function. A fast can help cleanse important organs such as your kidneys, liver and colon. It purifies your blood, cleanses your breath, and clears your eyes and tongue. It can also help you loose excess water and weight, which is something many of us have a constant battle with!

A fast can be done over a period of a few days, or even in some cases, a few weeks, though I personally feel that it a little extreme for the body. Some doctors recommend that you fast at least 3 days a month, and follow a ten day fast at least twice a year. Many people balk at the idea of a fast, because they envision themselves drinking nothing but water, and starving themselves for days. But that should not be the case. For starters, you should NEVER fast on water alone. An all water fast releases toxins too quickly, and could cause severe headaches or worse. You can still obtain all the benefits of a fast by drinking pure juices and herbal tea along with your water, and provide your body with the vitamins, minerals and enzymes that it needs to heal. Juices made from green leafy vegetables, fresh apples, beets, cabbage, carrots, celery and grapes are also good to drink. Some beneficial herbal teas are alfalfa, burdock, chamomile, dandelion, peppermint and slippery elm tea. It is never a good idea to jump right into fasting, as this can be an extreme shock to your body. Instead, try to "wean" your body from heavy foods by eating raw fruits and vegetables for two days before a fast. Do this as well for a few days after the fast, rather than inundating your body suddenly with harsh and heavy foods.

Most important, if you are in poor health, or have diabetes, hypoglycemia or another chronic health problem, you should never fast without first consulting with, and remaining supervised by your family physician. Pregnant and breast feeding women should NEVER fast.

Fasting is something extremely beneficial that we can do for our bodies, and should not be looked at with fear or dread. These are just some basic guidelines on how fasting works, and general tips to help with a fast. I hope that it encourages you to speak with your doctor to learn more about fasting, so that you too can experience the benefits this can bring you.