The Health Benefits of Fasting
Biology 103
2002 First Paper
On Serendip
The Health Benefits of Fasting
Will Carroll
There has been much contention in the scientific field about whether or not fasting is beneficial to one's health. Fasting is an integral part of many of the major religions including Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Many are dubious as to whether the physiological effects are as beneficial as the spiritual promoted by these religions. There is a significant community of alternative healers who believe that fasting can do wonders for the human body. This paper will look at the arguments presented by these healers in an attempt to raise awareness of the possible physiological benefits that may result from fasting.
Fasting technically commences within the first twelve to twenty-four hours of the fast. A fast does not chemically begin until the carbohydrate stores in the body begin to be used as an energy source. The fast will continue as long as fat and carbohydrate stores are used for energy, as opposed to protein stores. Once protein stores begin to be depleted for energy (resulting in loss of muscle mass) a person is technically starving. (1)
The benefits of fasting must be preceded by a look at the body's progression when deprived of food. Due to the lack of incoming energy, the body must turn to its own resources, a function called autolysis. (2) Autolysis is the breaking down of fat stores in the body in order to produce energy. The liver is in charge of converting the fats into a chemical called a ketone body, "the metabolic substances acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid" (3), and then distributing these bodies throughout the body via the blood stream. "When this fat utilization occurs, free fatty acids are released into the blood stream and are used by the liver for energy." (3) The less one eats, the more the body turns to these stored fats and creates these ketone bodies, the accumulation of which is referred to as ketosis. (4)
Detoxification is the foremost argument presented by advocates of fasting. "Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and skin." (5). This process is precipitated by fasting because when food is no longer entering the body, the body turns to fat reserves for energy. "Human fat is valued at 3,500 calories per pound," a number that would lead one to believe that surviving on one pound of fat every day would provide a body with enough energy to function normally. (2) These fat reserves were created when excess glucose and carbohydrates were not used for energy or growth, not excreted, and therefore converted into fat. When the fat reserves are used for energy during a fast, it releases the chemicals from the fatty acids into the system which are then eliminated through the aforementioned organs. Chemicals not found in food but absorbed from one's environment, such as DDT, are also stored in fat reserves that may be released during a fast. One fasting advocate tested his own urine, feces and sweat during an extended fast and found traces of DDT in each. (5)
A second prescribed benefit of fasting is the healing process that begins in the body during a fast. During a fast energy is diverted away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the metabolism and immune system. (6) The healing process during a fast is precipitated by the body's search for energy sources. Abnormal growths within the body, tumors and the like, do not have the full support of the body's supplies and therefore are more susceptible to autolysis. Furthermore, "production of protein for replacement of damaged cells (protein synthesis) occurs more efficiently because fewer 'mistakes' are made by the DNA/RNA genetic controls which govern this process." A higher efficiency in protein synthesis results in healthier cells, tissues and organs. (7) This is one reason that animals stop eating when they are wounded, and why humans lose hunger during influenza. Hunger has been proven absent in illnesses such as gastritis, tonsillitis and colds. (2) Therefore, when one is fasting, the person is consciously diverting energy from the digestive system to the immune system.
In addition, there is a reduction in core body temperature. This is a direct result of the slower metabolic rate and general bodily functions. Following a drop in blood sugar level and using the reserves of glucose found in liver glycogen, the basal metabolic rate (BMR) is reduced in order to conserve as much energy within the body as can be provided. (2) Growth hormones are also released during a fast, due to the greater efficiency in hormone production. (7)
Finally, the most scientifically proven advantage to fasting is the feeling of rejuvenation and extended life expectancy. Part of this phenomenon is caused by a number of the benefits mentioned above. A slower metabolic rate, more efficient protein production, an improved immune system, and the increased production of hormones contributes to this long-term benefit of fasting. In addition to the Human Growth Hormone that is released more frequently during a fast, an anti-aging hormone is also produced more efficiently. (7) "The only reliable way to extend the lifespan of a mammal is under-nutrition without malnutrition." (5) A study was performed on earthworms that demonstrated the extension of life due to fasting. The experiment was performed in the 1930s by isolating one worm and putting it on a cycle of fasting and feeding. The isolated worm outlasted its relatives by 19 generations, while still maintaining its youthful physiological traits. The worm was able to survive on its own tissue for months. Once the size of the worm began to decrease, the scientists would resume feeding it at which point it showed great vigor and energy. "The life-span extension of these worms was the equivalent of keeping a man alive for 600 to 700 years." (8)
In conclusion, it seems that there are many reasons to consider fasting as a benefit to one's health. The body rids itself of the toxins that have built up in our fat stores throughout the years. The body heals itself, repairs all the damaged organs during a fast. And finally there is good evidence to show that regulated fasting contributes to longer life. However, many doctors warn against fasting for extended periods of time without supervision. There are still many doctors today who deny all of these points and claim that fasting is detrimental to one's health and have evidence to back their statements. The idea of depriving a body of what society has come to view as so essential to our survival in order to heal continues to be a topic of controversy.
References
1)"Dr. Sniadach – True Health Freedom 3
4)"Nutriquest, March 11th, 2000 – Ketosis and Low Carbohydrate Diets"
5)"WebMD – Detox Diets: Cleansing the Body"
7)"Fasting – Good Morning Doctor"
8)"The health Benefits of Fasting"
Comments made prior to 2007
The term for the breaking down of fat is lipolysis, not autolysis. Autolysis is the self-destruction of cells ... Paul, 3 April 2007
Fasting to lose weight?
Instead of fasting why not try eating healthy, nutritious, low-sugar, whole wheat foods and exercising? Extended fasting seems like the 'easy' way to lose weight. My next question is, how long before the weight is back on? Returning to normal caloric intake when the body's metabolism is lowered will, naturally, lead to an increase of calories stored in the body, and ulitmately - fat. My final question is, why is fasting equated with discipline? I hear people talk about the 'control' they have over their bodies when they fast; that they have disciplined their bodies. Reducing caloric intake is a good idea if one eats unhealthy, perhaps the 'discipline' should be extended into daily life and watching what is put into the body, rather than putting in nothing at all. Fasting for religious purposes is not often done for weeks without ANY food. Many Muslims feast heartily while the sun is down.
To lose weight; eat healthy and exercise. Feel free to indulge in tasty delights but in moderate portions.
To get closer to which ever God you believe in; be a better person and love the fellow inhabitants of Earth.
These are just my thoughts, if you don't like them that's fine. But I accept your thoughts, so please accept mine.
I fast twice a month
It has been a practice to fast at around 11 days after new moon and full moon. It is these days when the lunar gravity is in full strength, making faster more effective. I fast for a full day, starting from 6 am to 6 am the next morning. I break my fast my salt+lime water, then an intake of fruits.
My fast
I'd like to add to the above comments. I practice intermittent fasting - that is fast for a day or two, then eat normally again. When I first tried it, I was worried I wouldn't be able to do it - that I would feel too hungry, get faint etc.
I didn't - and in fact, I found it very liberating - does that sound weird, lol?
On fasting days, I don't have to worry about what's for lunch, I save time by not thinking about or having lunch (or any other meal) - so not only does fasting help me keep my weight stable and allows for some indulgences on the non fasting days, but it allows me to focus more on my work. It also encourages me to eat healthily....oddly enough, the last thing I want to do when I feel 'clean inside' is to put junk in there, so my food choices have improved dramatically.
I have written some articles on fat loss and fitness, including one on intermittent fasting - hope it helps some of you out there.
fasting
Hi,
Could you please send me the link to your articles? I would like to know more about your experience of fasting as I'd like to try it myself.
Happy and Healthy New Year!
Ilona
Wonderful article. I believe
Wonderful article. I believe fasting is a healthy thing as well. Often times when I mention it to people, it makes them nervous. They think it is a disorder. When really over-eating is the disorder. We should eat much less. I really like your blog. Thanks for visiting mine.
Citations?
This essay is a little bit worrisome. I think it's quite possible that fasting is good for your health, but this paper makes huge allegations with no supporting evidence.
1. I'm a little worried about the claims that fasting actually decreases the error rate in protein translation: I've searched high and wide for a way to even begin to verify such a claim, but could find none. Furthermore, your citation just referenced this very paper for evidence.
2. I also don't understand how wound repair occurs in increased amounts when stockpiling energy; all the evidence i've seen shows that fasting actually decreases rates of wound healing. This is the reason for contraindication of fasting while wounded: there is a positive correlation between body temperature and wound healing, within normal boundaries for health. Fasting, as you mentioned, drops your core temperature, slowing wound healing.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13268336?dopt=Abstract).
3. The earthworm study referenced a broken link to sumeria.com. All it had listed were advertisements for some nonverified or alternative medicine treatments like colon cleansers. The paper also trails off into a suggestion that the earthworm fasting schedule might just lead to a 300 year increase in life expectancy. It might be nice to show a differential in age ranges of people who fast versus those who do not, rather than leaving the reader to guess.
I've seen a lot of evidence that calorie restriction does prolong life, you're right. However, it sounds like you need strong (actual) citations in order to support these claims. I'm not saying that it's impossible, but rather that the evidence doesn't support what you're saying. You need real citations. Best of luck to you.
I am fasting now
I'm on day 2 and 1/2 of fasting. It hasn't been as hard as I thought. I hope that there are health benefits. I'm hoping that it helps my allergies. I don't have food allergies, but have been told that the toxins in my colon and other areas are cleaned during a fast.
This is a good article, especially the part about the body removing focus from the digestive system to focus on other things.
GOOD
its a very good discipline & it rejuvenates you, it nourishes you, it corrects all that there is, that needs correction, it clears your system & gives you the feeling that you cannot experience without actually going through with it, so just go ahead & trust me you will thank yourself. All the best
Fasting
I grew up in a family that considered fasting one day every week a must in their lives. I never did it, but the older females did it. My mother is 70 and throught her life she has mantained a healthy weight and no diseases other than minor colds. My grandmother did it and was healthy until her 90's when she started losing her vision and submitted to an eye surgery. Sadly she died from complications right after the surgery ( same day). I truly believe she would have lived to be a 100 easily. So now I am considering fasting in my life for health reasons and my plan is to do it yearly. I will try my first fasting this week. I already started preparing for the fasting by having one day of leek soup only. Today I had an orange and tomorrow I will have nothing but water. I am still thinking of the benfits of water vs juice fasting though..
Good luck to all of you!
Fasting
I would like to start off by extending a big hello to everyone! I am new to this forum and just so happend to luck up on it when looking for information on fasting. I'm dealing with a lot of things right now in my life such as stress, wanting to become pregnant, needing to lose weight and I think that fasting will help me in all areas. The only thing that I am scared about is that I may not be able to it. I have tried fasting once before and by the middle of the night I wake up hungry and this is at 2 or 3 am.
I really need to seek God, because I feel that I have tried everything else and I am completley stuck in this point of my life. I was talking to my husband about possibly doing a fast together, maybe this will help our baby situation. He said that he would, but the point of the matter is I don't know if I could do it.
I guess my questions for you guys would be, do you think that I should start with a one or two day fast and work my way from there? Or should I try to committ and do a seven day fast.
One more thing, and please forgive me for being so long wind(lol). Water is my problem, I do not like the taste of water at all. I don't drink it and I know that this is not good for me. Could I possibly put something in the water, or can I drink grapefruit juices?
Any suggestions are welcome and would be greatly appreciated.
I look forward to hearing from each of you soon.
Thanks
fasting
To the lady that wants to get pregnant, lose weight, & relieve stress. I would recommend Paul Bragg's paper back book "The Miracle of Fasting".(It covers a lot more than just fasting & is not a boring read but is very inspirational) I would also say start with a short three day fast after reading the book. Paul Bragg walked with Ghandi and said he put some lemon in his water when fasting. Yes you will have some form of hunger pain, but it will pass in a relatively short time. Tell yourself when you are having a period of pain while fasting that it is normal, & is accomplishing a good thing for your health, also tell yourself that the pain is a lot less than the pain of sickness, poor health, & medical bills. The apostle Paul said to "fight the good fight of faith". So as a soldier to fight poor health, "endure the temporary pain of fasting, and have victory over the battle to receive your crown of good health as a reward for your fight" If you use juices, do fresh sqweezed only, and consider soda pop as one of the worst things you could drink. Get yourself a juicer if you don't have one. Remember to that Jesus said "let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" abide in Him. Cast all your cares and afflictions on Him, for He cares for you!
fasting
If you research the scientific evidence about the health benefits of fasting, you'll be amazed. It is for this reason that many religions require fasting .for example the muslims fast a whole month every year of their life.but this does not mean that they dont eat the whole month because this is not possible and i dont think that starving is healthy either. However , they fast from the sun rise until the sun set but then they can eat, also they do eat before the sun rise ( breakfast). so if you try to wake up before the sun rise and eat breakfast or what ever yo prefer you'll be ready for the day. it has an amazing healing power and it disintoxifies the body. If you are religious you n pray too especially before the sun rise god is so close. the tip is that it'll be difficult the 3 first day but then you'll get used to it. fast as you can then you can take a break if you want and start again . for sure you will loose weight
Muslim fasting
Well, Muslim fasting during Ramadan is fasting from sun up to sun down which equates to about 8-12 hours per day without food depending on the latitude and time of year. But most people in the world fast from sundown to sun up by virtue of sleeping overnight, which translates to 12 hours roughly... maybe longer if one does not eat breakfast. So muslim fasting is no big thing, and not at all healthy since it promotes bingeing which these people do.
you have any proof to back up
you have any proof to back up your story? I don't see many FAT muslims, do you?
Hi there
My advise to you is to read about islam it will help you through all of it!
Thank you
Reply
Fasting is not as difficult as you think it is . When you start fasting and maybe get hungry at night and wake up you should use this wake up call to pray to God . It would be the best time cos you will not have any disturbance and your mind will also be quiet and calm and it will make a good spiritual connection . Your prays to be pregnant will also be answered sooner this way and you will discover that your relation with God will become closer and your road to spirituality will increase so that whatever you need it will only be a thought away . Give it a go and feel , see and discover the spiritual and physical benefits . Fasting only have benefits and no negatives . I wish you well and await to congratulate you soon with the gift of God for you be the mother soon .
Fasting...
I saw your comment and felt like my experience could help you. A complete fast, and to a lesser extent a partial fast, takes a certain amount of discipline that most people don't regularly use. That being said, I would ease into fasting. This works very well if you haven't fasted in a while.
Instead of doing one or two days, fast for six hours at a time. In essence, skip a meal. Then some short time later, fast 12 hours. I would fast for 12 hours a couple of days to get the body used to being without food. You will understand what I am talking about. Around your normal eating time, an undisciplined body will produce headaches, the aroma of your favorite foods, temper tantrums, and many other peculiar distractions. I found that doing breathing exercises along with fasting helped ease the discomfort in my body. But, no matter what your body does, short of passing out, persist.
Your body will give up and will accept the fast. After that point, you will be able to increase the fast to 24, 48, 72 hours without hassle from the body. You will also have freed yourself from your addiction to food.
My experience was even slower than this. Before I went on to an eleven day complete fast, I just gave up eating meat. I did this for about two weeks and I found myself eating less and less. Then I had the courage to skip meals. Then liquids, then water.
Good luck, let me know how it turns out. I have gotten away from fasting and have gained weight and started to age. I decided last week that enough was enough. I am going to regain control over myself and stop being a slave to my bodies every desire.
Let me know how it goes
You wil find that after
You wil find that after awhile you will grow to love water. After all, it is THE ONLY natural drink put on this earth, even superior to juices. Coffee, colas, sports drinks are totally unnatural and, I believe,truly damaging to the human body...and mind.
What's more, as a graduate food scientsits, I firmly believe that the food we American's eat is the cause of practically all our diseases. Simply put: The human body was not meant to process processed fods. They're lifeless.
Hope this helps
Coffee is natural. Coffee
Coffee is natural. Coffee that people drink is from coffee bean (produced by plants). Water is not the only natural drink on this earth, juices from fruits are also natural drink.
I think of water as a
I think of water as a substance in its naturally occurring, pure state. Coffee by that definition is not natural, but the bean is. Juice is not natural in that the fiber is removed. Both juice and coffee are much more concentrated substances of their original states.
Juices not natural
Don't know about Coffee, but juices are not natural, unless you squeeze the juice yourself. They have added sugars and sometimes other ingredients. Water is the best, and eat a fruit if you want to juices from it.
Coconut water is also naturally occurring
Coconut water is natural and is also an isotonic beverage. It's the healthiest drink around. They even use it in transfusions in the absence of blood.
losing weight
Hi I have become very interested the idea of fasting. I am a little hesitant to try it out because I do not want to lose weight. I am an athlete and cannot afford to lose weight. any comments?
There are a lot of ways on
There are a lot of ways on how to lose weight. . .but since you're an athlete like me, all you have to do is to eat lots of protein foods and less carbo because as an athlete, we tend to burn fats and energy that quickly so our main energy food belongs to the protein food group. . .And also, you have to drink lots of water for detoxification and for the prevention of dehydration. . .
hcg for weight loss
hai
Hai,
im 5.2'.i started water fasting at 100 lbs.from 11 days water fast i lost 3 pounds.i think thin people dont loose much weight.
hello
I would like to start off by extending a big hello to everyone! I am new to this forum and just so happend to luck up on it when looking for information on fasting. I'm dealing with a lot of things right now in my life such as stress, wanting to become pregnant, needing to lose weight and I think that fasting will help me in all areas. The only thing that I am scared about is that I may not be able to it. I have tried fasting once before and by the middle of the night I wake up hungry and this is at 2 or 3 am.
I really need to seek God, because I feel that I have tried everything else and I am completley stuck in this point of my life. I was talking to my husband about possibly doing a fast together, maybe this will help our baby situation. He said that he would, but the point of the matter is I don't know if I could do it.
I guess my questions for you guys would be, do you think that I should start with a one or two day fast and work my way from there? Or should I try to committ and do a seven day fast.
One more thing, and please forgive me for being so long wind(lol). Water is my problem, I do not like the taste of water at all. I don't drink it and I know that this is not good for me. Could I possibly put something in the water, or can I drink grapefruit juices?
Any suggestions are welcome and would be greatly appreciated.
I look forward to hearing from each of you soon.
Thanks
try adding honey lemon juice
try adding honey lemon juice to water
fasting on water
i have try to do fast on water for 7 days, and 3 days it is great?
you never belive it . after 3 day you start to feel you have energy and welness
plus i fast during the month of ramadan?
one month no eating no drink from 3 in the morrning to 6 evning.
do it and good lock
Fasting :
I have a question. I desire to seek (God) my Lord Jesus Christ on the most inner and outer personal level. I myself am 5'8 148lbs mother of 3. I am 28 years old. I notice every time I try to fast I get so nervous and scarf in an unhealthy way unwanted food and feel sad after. This is crazy. Please advise as to what I can do to press past this 3 days crisis and march forth into a 40 day adventure with Wisdom. Thank you, Christa
Hi Christa
When fasting for Jesus
One thing you need to do is get over your flesh and get into a more spiritual tune, pray, ask God and Jesus for strength to keep you strong mentally and pysically, resist what your body desires and craves, sacrafice your fleshes wants and needs, like Jesus's sacrafice for us. fasting is all about getting over your flesh and getting more in touch with our spirit like when Moses and Jesus fasted, read your bible as much as you can when fasting, God will show you things!
we dont relise how often we our slaves to our flesh!
Take care and God bless +
Jesus love you!
When you do come off your fast try to eat raw foods, vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts.
Christa, I would suggest
Christa,
I would suggest that you start a raw food life style . Then after you've been eating raw for at least 2 weeks, you can start a fast. This way of eating is the best. You are detoxing at a slower rate than water fasting.
I'm on day 3 of a 7 day fast. I have a daughter's birthday on the 13th and we're taking her out to have dinner. I plan on having cucumber juice on the 11th then having a nice raw veggie salad when we go out. Then after that meal I'm back on my water fast till the 17th. I will have cucumber juice then and on the 18th I will have a nice raw salad, because I have to drive a school bus that day. Then after that I'll keep to my raw food lifestyle. I plan on water fasting one day a week then at the end of June I'll be getting another 2 weeks off and I'll start another longer water fast.
55 day water fast??? any
55 day water fast???
any ideas???
Get educated
Why 55 days?You should be familiar with what goes on in your body during a fast.There is definite signs when complete fast should be stopped so you don't harm your health.Better familiarize yourself before it is too late.
No salt on a fast!! this
No salt on a fast!! this increases appetite and retains water which carries toxins that need to be relleased during a fast
bs salt actually zaps your
bs
salt actually zaps your body of water due to OSMOSIS.. stop spouting bullshit. Ever think why doctors do not recommend salty foods to people with high blood pressure?
Water fasting is just
Water fasting is just that,abstaining from any kind of food and using only water.Anything else is diet.Many people in this forum get it but some don't The good thing is that there is great interest in the subject and truly it is the best thing one can do to oneself in life.The books are out there on the subject.I highly recommend Paul Brag "The Miracle of fasting" You either fast on a regular basis,eat healthy, rely on the Lord for guidance or make the doctors and pharmasutical industry rich.I'm 47 been fasting for over 25 years and can testify that this is the second best thing somebody shared with me some years ago.Good luck to all of you and God bless you.
And what was the first?
And what was the first?
suggestion for first timers
It is clear that there are numerous benefits to fasting. For first timers, I would recommend doing the fast in the following manner for a whole month.
10 days: Water fasting between sunrise and sunset.
Light breakfast before sunrise, then water whenever you are hungry during the day. Light dinner after sunset.
20 days: Complete fasting bewteen sunrise and sunset.
Light breakfast before sunrise, and light dinner after sunset, and no water in between.
Regards,
A.K.
Fasting
Well my experience about fasting is following...and just clarify I am a muslim and I fast from sun rise to sun set about 12 to 13 hous of fasting in which we don't eat , smoke ,drink and stay away from our spouces also practice patience and avoid cynical thinking and vulgar and arrogant words.
I ususlly fast once a year which is must for us in our religiom but other than that I fast 2 times (which in optinal) every month.
Benifits what I think I have from fasting.
1. I feel very secured no fears as I have given my woories in the hands of God.
2. I feel more mentally strong after fasting it creates quick results for some thing I am chasing.
3. I feel less stressed and clean/calm internally.
4. I feel more grate ful for the blessings God has given me and I focus on the things I have.
5. I make your mind your thoughts more clear.
6. It has more spiritual and mental advantages than physical...I feel like my prayers get answered quickly during fasting.I feel like God gets wooried when I fast and bless me for what I want or takes out my problems so I get what I want ..Like a mother gets woooried when baby stops eating !
Imran
Day 6 of a water fast...
How do you handle the miserable detox process? I felt bad the first three days; awesome and energized on the 4th and 5th days, but in the evenings I would have severe back pain that shot down my legs and prevented me from sleeping.
This morning is the worst. I read Dr. Herbert Shelton's "The Hygienic System" regarding fasting and bile and I'm experiencing this now. I hate to vomit but with I could, as I keep burping up the bitter acrid taste of bile. I even ran a couple of miles and have been drinking water to see if I could encourage the bile to hurry up and start digesting so that I can eliminate it. Any suggestions?? I can't stand this taste!!
Fast under medical supervision if going for more than a week.
I'm in my late 50s and have fasted repeatedly, including two 30day water only fasts. My doctor will do blood work and keep an eye on me, and all should do this. If your doctor gives you grief, tell them its for religious reasons, and that will stop any discouraging, usually ill-informed advice. Dr. Joel Furhman, MD (Univ.of PA)has written a great book on fasting I highly recommend. Fasting for weight loss works, but you have to be prepared that when you go off the fast you will crave at a high to extremely high level. This is what our bodies are programmed to do. I am a great faster, but not a great post-faster. I'm beginning my spring fast March 1, and have decided to spend the month after on a very low carb (just lean protein and greens and low sugar berries (blue,black, straw, rasp) and very gradually re-intro the higher carb foods that cause the cravings to set in with a rush. Age is part of the factor; when you are young, under 35-40, you have more that your body will tolerate, but age makes those processes work more poorly.
Fasting is yin to yang of intake; we evolved to feast in times of plenty and fast in times of want; now people just feast, and look at the obesity rates.
Fasting can in rare circumstances be bad for people with certain conditions, so read Fuhrman, go to his website. I found that I need a tiny spinkle of salt in a glass of water once a day, since I tend to be low on salt from drinking so much water on a regular basis.
The benefits others have mentioned are all true. I always lose a pound a day, and after the third day, I have extraordinary energy, and I'm often told I don't look my age, but more like ten years younger. Plus, you are cleansing the system of all kinds of toxins that cause disease. So, fast; but FAST SMART!
Starting today
Hi All
starting my fasting tomorrow. looking forward to it. 42 years old 189 lbs... 5ft 3... see what happens ... will keep you posted daily....
good luck to me... first timer.... ha ha
sheila
Fasting for Weight Loss
Hello. After abusing my body through periods of binging and purging, or simply binging without expelling the food, I am dedicated to embark on a 21 day water fast. I am hoping that by the end, I will acheive a weight loss of at least 20 pounds and that I will feel refreshed and energized. I am also deeling with clinical depression and I heard that fasting may help eliminate negative feelings; thus, I am anxious to see if my depression will subside.
My only concern is hiding this fast from my friends. I have had anorexia in the past, so they are weary of my attitudes towards food. However, I want to fix my eating habits once and for all so that I don't fall back into the binge tendencies that have seemed to increase this month.
Does anyone have any advice about breaking the fast?
I'm 5'2"-95 pounds. I'm
I'm 5'2"-95 pounds. I'm interested in doing a 9 day water or fruit fast? Is it advisable to do so-I'm concerned about the slowing down of my metabolic rate. Is it perfectly safe to fast for 9 days at a stretch?
slowing metabollic rate...
Do not worry about that.wHEN YOU BREAK YOUR FAST, YOUR METABOLISM WILL SOON RECOVER, JUST LIKE IT DOES WHEN YOU AWAKEN FROM A NIGHT'S SLEEP, AND EAT BREAKFAST...
fasting while smoking
is it just plain silly to try this fast while being a smoker? I realize it flushes your toxins out and it would seem like an oxymoron to continuely put them back in, but I am hoping the fast will help my urges and strengthen my will power in that area, among others. Will I not have the same results as the others being a smoker? please reply......
hi, I think that you already
hi, I think that you already know the answer! But don't worry, stopping smoking is easier than you think. I used to think it was difficult, I tried at least 10 times, but then I was REALLY determined and after 3 days of going cold turkey I read Allen Carr's book. That was nearly 3 years ago and I had been smoking for 12 years. I have never had a craving since, in fact I detest the smell. I always thought it was difficult to give up & that it required will power, but that book taught me that I was looking at the whole process completely wrong (psychologically speaking).
To stop smoking was fairly easy, there were a few days of irritation, but it was so worth it - the BEST thing I have ever done in my life. In the months that followed, I could feel my lungs, breathing and general wellbeing improving on a daily basis.
All the best and good luck. Stopping smoking opened my eyes to what is possible and lead me onto the path of good nutrition and lifestyle. I feel better now (nearly 31 years old) than I did 10 years ago. You can do it too, it is easy, just believe in yourself.
completed a 14day water fast
first i would like to start off by saying a water fast is completely the healthiest thing you can ever do in your life when it comes to change..i finished a 14day water fast and would have went longer but my family was considered and worried for some days i lacked energy and some days i was bed bound.. during those times i did a lot of writing and reflecting, praying which was wonderful, i must say i also started the water enemas on my third day for i wanted to get all of the waste out of my system that was sitting there.. (horrified it was my first enema but for better health i did it) i wish all good luck on their path, including i experienced alot of achy pains in my thighs, light headache, nausea, sleeping issues, but all the pains i once had are all gone and i was surprise with my menstrual with my fast also, i have very bad cramps and the cramps were minor but my menstrual did last longer then usual, i took it as my body cleaning everything out.. my first day off i had some vegetable broth for breakfast and for lunch i diced up cucumbers for lunch, i included the cucumbers so i could have a natural bowel movement.. be aware your stomach has become smaller and it doesn't take much to fill you up, diner some more vegetable broth and of course water through out the day.. second day i had some vegetable broth for breakfast, lunch i had some lettuce and cucumbers, dinner broth and a slices of a pear.. you eat slower for you truly allow your taste buds to indulge in every bite.. to consume to much would be a waste of your fast. tomorrow i will have some broth and a small amount of melon for breakfast, lunch prob some more lettuce and cucumbers and for dinner i will steam some string beans and drizzle a little lemon and garlic on it mmmm sounds wonderful. stay positive all
Re. breaking a fast After a
Re. breaking a fast
After a water fast it is recommended to drink clear fruit juice for a couple of days. On the second day you can add vegetable broth and fruit which doesn't have a lot of pulp. On the third day vegetable juices and whole fruit and green salads. The idea is to build up to introducing more solid (fibrous) matter into your system.
To maintain the benefits of fasting, one's diet after the fast is considered as important as the fast. Fruit and vegetables are the mainstays.
I'd recommend getting a hold of a book on fasting to get some info on breaking the fast as well as lifelong healthy eating.
Good luck with the process. M
I am currently 112kg down
I am currently 112kg down from 120. Would fasting be a good way of breaking the weight loss plateau?
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