The Master Cleanse Detox Diet and Some Facts About Juice Fasting

Did you know that civilizations have used fasting for thousands of years as a way to help the body detoxify and rejuvenate from all forms of health problems? It is true. Many of the world's oldest systems of health (many of which are still practiced to day) look at fasting as a way to heal the body and help prevent disease.

The father of western medicine, Hippocrates, saw fasting as a way to help the body heal itself. Most world religons (including the Bible) make frequent references to fasting as a way to improve physical and spiritual clarity.

Because the world we live in has become such a toxic environment for our bodies, many modern day practitioners are accepting fasting as a positive method for detoxification. In this hub, I will be going over a personal favorite fast of mine...The Juice Fasting Diet.

First day of the fast- Your body is burning stored sugar (or glycogen)..after the sugar stores are used up, the body begins to burn fat....

Second day of the fast- The body will go into ketosis in which the liver converts stored fat into chemicals known as ketones...

Third day of the fast- You will lose your hunger pains and find that you have a heightened sense of awareness. Expect to lose around 2 pounds per day.

The biggest benefit of fasting isn't weight loss though. As fat is burned for energy, the stored toxins in the fat are released into the bloodstream and the liver and kidneys metabolize the toxins.

It isn't any secret that I am a big advocate of fasting and fasting diets in the short term. The reason why is because over time, our bodies start to build up toxins and pollutants in the air we breathe as well as in the food and water we eat and drink.

The body releases these toxins in the bloodstream that are stored in our tissues and as a result, we experience a low or down cycle. This cycle can cause headaches, diarrehea, depression and a host of other problems.

Fasting also helps other ailments such as gout because it helps to release toxic stores and takes the incredible burden that our liver takes on in trying to detoxify our body. Essentially, a fasting diet will give the body a chance to recover.

By fasting, here are some positive things you will do for your body:

The energy that is usually used for digestion is redirected to immune function, cell growth and eliminatory processes.

Because of the redirection process, the immune system's workload is greatly reduced....

Because the digestive tract use is minimized, there isn't as much inflammation due to allergic reactions....

Toxic excretion continues unabated BUT the influx of new toxins is reduced. The result? Total body toxicity reduction....

Fat-stored chemicals like pesticides and drugs are released....

Lower serum fats that thins the blood which increases tissue oxygenation more efficiently...

You see the benefits of the body from a fasting diet..but what about the other positive things?

A fast will cleanse the liver, kidneys, colon...

Purify your blood
flush out toxins
helps you heal more quickly....

When most people think of fasting, they normally think of NO food and just water for a specific amount of time. This isn't what a typical fast is comprised of though.

People who fast on water alone are at risk of causing headaches among other things because an all water fast relases toxins in your body too quickly.

On the other hand a juice fast not only will help remove toxins from the body but will also give the body a constant supply of vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

Note: Pregnant and lactating women should never fast. If you suffer from diabetes, hypoglycemia (or any form of metabolic disorder) or have a chronic health problem, you should always seek the help of a professional before starting a fast...even a short one.

Different types of fasts-

3 day juice fast- A 3 day juice fast is what I recommend for anyone who wants to speed recovery from an illness, rid yourself of excess built up toxins and a general blood cleanser.

5 day juice fast- A 5 day juice fast will help begin the process of healing and will further build the immune system.

10 day fast- A 10 day fast helps to fight off illnesses so common in our chemically polluted environment.

I rarely do anything more than a 3 day juice fast although a good friend of mine swears by the 10 day fast. He does it 1-2 times per year.

The first step to fasting is to prepare for it so that the fast won't be a shock to your system. You should begin by eating only raw fruits and vegetables for two days before the fast.

During the fast, you should consume at least 10 8 ounce glasses of water daily plus pure juices. Personally, I prefer steam distilled water but that is really up to you. Dilute the juices with water....1 part water, 3 parts juice. Don't drink orange or tomato juice.

Avoid all juices made with sweetners or additives.

While you will be tempted to drink apple juices and other fruit juices, the best juice to drink for detoxification are the "green drinks" which are made from alfalfa, chlorella, wheatgrass, and other green leafy vegetables. Raw cabbage juice, for instance, is excellant for those who are suffering from ulcers, cancer and colon problems.

Don't combine fruit juices with vegetable juices. The only exception to this rule is apple juice...it can be combined with vegetables.

You should follow the fast with a 2 day diet composed of raw vegetables and fruits and the meals should be frequent and small.

Herbal teas are a wonderful way to help the body detoxify quicker through a fast. There are all sorts of teas that will speed along the process....alfalfa, burdock, dandelion, milk thistle and rose hips all help to cleanse the blood and rejuvenate the liver.

If you must eat something during the fast, watermelon is acceptable (because of the high water content).

I suggest taking a fiber supplement before your fast as well as after your fast as this will help to promote cleansing of your colon. Psyllium seed husks and ground flaxseeds are great fiber rich foods to try.

A great recipe that is good for healing many illnesses is this:

3 carrots
3 kale leaves
2 stalks of celery
2 beets
1 turnip
1/4 pound of spinach
1/2 head of cabbage
1/4 bunch of parsley
1/4 of an onion
1/2 clove of garlic

Add this to your juicer and drink up. It is very heart healthy!