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
Comments
water Fasting
Hi, I have read your story , which was quite touching, and would love to help. ~You need to increase the intake of water - at least 8 glasses spread out during the day , while eating more fruits instead of sweets. There may be a deficiency in your diet if the craving continues. Try changing your diet to higher levels of protein and fibre such as oat meal( if you are not wheat intolerant) and try and increase your level of greens and salads. Ensure you start your day with protein or porridge that is a slow release carbohydrate,that is makes you less hungry. Each time you feel hungry , try having a glass of water or fruit juice( fresh juice), you may get more advise on Thanks
intentions of fasting
To put simply fasting is considered spiritual when you intentions are good. Try saying to the Creator " please accept my intention to fast "Creator" or whatever you concieve him to be and watch your life transform. Also he doesn't want you to starve so just do it during daylight or night time. Good luck as this builds faith regardless of religion.
I am having a hard time with
I am having a hard time with my water fast. I am on day 15 of a 30 day water fast. The reason I am doing it is because I am terribly obese and I need to create a better eating habit and this will teach me control and patience. Back to my question, my weight lose has hit a plateau. I havent lost a pound in many days. What could be happening. The sole purpose of this water fast is not to lose a ton of weight really fast but I am a bit worried because I'm not eating anything. I've still been experiencing hunger pangs is my body telling me that I've taken it too far. I really would appreciate a speedy response. I dont want to make things worse for myself.
FASTING
I have fasted for years (water only), There once was a fasting farm in New York State and I went every 6 months religiously and learned much about fasting under the owner-physician's supervision. Since it closed, I do it on my own. That is why I know that when fasting, usually you hit a plateu of weight wherein you do not drop a pound but seem to stay the same. It lasts a few days but weight loss resumes. Always check your tongue. If a white coating appears on the tongue, it is time to stop the fast as that is a warning that the next step is starvation, which stage you never want to enter. I also learned there that everyone has a "fasting limit." and each body is different - some can go a week, 3 weeks, etc That is why you check the tongue;;the white will appear when your particular body has reach its fasting limit. The fasting farm broke our fast with oranges.
White coating on tongue
I'm not sure who has told you that white coating on the tongue means break the fast it means starvation. I think there is a reason your fasting farm closed down.I know you said it was under the care of. Physician but from my experience there are many/ most GP's that know about nothing about nutrition let alone fasting!! I am now studying holistic nutrition and already studyied Ayurveda and detox in India. . The white coating does not mean starvation! Please stop telling people this. When you do a fast toxins come out from everywhere, in your body including the tongue. In Ayruveda the white coating means you have Ama , which is undigested food in your digestive system. When doing a fast( or even if your not) You should scrape your tongue and then gargle with rock/ sea salt to kill the bacteria. IF ANYTHING you should break the fast when your tongue is CLEAR of the white oating. Also your system is fragile after fasting, it should not be broken with oranges! They are far to acidic for a sensitive system, it should be broken with some non citrus fruits, vegetablse, and veggie soups( no dairy or meat) for approx 3 days. Then you an add in other foods slowly but avoid sugars , processed , fried and fatty food. No fast food! Fasting can be dangerous if not done properly, please everyone do your homework , talk to someone QUALIFiED before going on a fast. There are many " fasting farms" jumping on the trendy money wagon and not teaching how to do things properly.
If I were you I would seek
If I were you I would seek medical advice before continuing the fast further. I am NOT an expert on fasting, but I have been reading a lot about it and in one highly scientific (sounding) paper, a doctor said that extended fasting for morbidly obese people may be dangerous, because although you have ample fats to burn, your muscle mass may not be high. You do lose some muscle mass during fasting and it may be hard on your heart muscle to do this for extended periods of time. Take my comment with a grain of salt because I know very little on fasting. I applaud you on your 15 days!
fasting
I've been fasting on and off since I was 40 years old. I am 71 now. Fasting is really needs a lot of well power and faith. I started on distiled water alone but I found out that you can do juice fasting also. What I do I mix a little amount of fruit juice to a glass of distiled water. If you are christian and you believe in god then think all the time that our body is the temple of our soul. Our soul belongs to god and so therefore, our soul deserve a clean temple. I always put in my mind that Jesus Christ fasted 40 days and forty nights. He is a living being like us. Gandhi fasted also for many days to liberate India from colonizer ( England). Also put in your mind that walk by faith not by sight. I am going to start fasting again tomorrow. I feel that I need it again. Make a habit to fast one day a week. If you want to know more about fasting then buy book. I recomend " The Miracle of Fasting" by Paul Bragg. Go to his website and buy book.
When in doubt, eat something.
When in doubt, eat something. Don't just NOT eat because you didn't get a fast response.
15 days without eating?! Thats extreme. Why don't you try intermitten fasting. One day on, one day off.
I made a simple calculator in excel that estimates how long it would take me to drop anywhere between 1 - 100 pounds.
You can do the same thing. But for fucks sake... eat something dude.
Wikipedia "starvation" I
Wikipedia "starvation" I remember reading something about plateaus during a fast, and typically there are different periods of "starvation" mode that your body goes into, and they explain how to monitor this. Technically, they say, a healthy person should be able to go 30 days, drinking water only, with no impact on body function, immune function, etc. You may have an underlying health condition that is keeping you from reaching your goal, or , you may just be going through an adjustment which is normal. The body does not burn fat at the same rate all the time.
In Reply to the Article
I tried getting as much info about fasting as I could before I started fasting. As anyone can tell you, there's good, bad & some down right criminal advice out there so it's hard to find relevant & helpful info on the subject. Thank goodness for growing awareness of fasting in the medical world & people wanting to share their experiences. I hadn't fasted until a few years ago because I used to smoke a great deal, loved to drink & was sure I would do it wrong. My 1st fast was for 4 days & I thoroughly enjoyed it. I no longer smoke but that wasn't the reason I started to fast. I feel extremely lucky as after 30 yrs of smoking I just said one day "I'm gonna quit. Doc, what'cha got for me?" I was on the patch for 2 weeks then just forgot to put them on. It's been 4 yrs in June. I still drink but when I plan to fast I stop completely for a week before I even begin my preparation. I lose 1-2 lbs from that alone. I'm on a 14 day fast right now. It's day 6. I continued to work out (yoga, elliptical & dynamic weight lifting.) but have eased up on that a lot. I do my entire yoga routine but just my joint therapies. I did 2 days of juice then water/lemon/honey & cayenne pepper 4x a day. I'm drinking a ton of water & still feel I'm not drinking enough. Lots & lots of green tea. I have an alarm set for every hour for 6 hours of the day to make sure I drink my H2o. I did a colon clease yesterday. The body temp they talk about is for real. I usually do @ 20 mins on the elliptical & my heart rate would be in the 180s. Now it's hovering around 145 & I don't break a sweat. I'm having a hard time w/ cravings because my boyfriend doesn't know how to cook for himself so I do it. Plus my down stairs neighbour fills the hallway w/ aromas of red meat, cookies & home made soups. I've found that if you really try you can have tunnel vision when you're in the kitchen, in the pantry, in the fridge. I know what my water & honey look like so... They say you experience bad breath, check. Slimy skin (more than just perspiration), check. Pimples, check. What I haven't experienced is the foul body odor. I just smell like me, no better no worse. I'm doing all things mentioned in the article & am doing well. Believe me when I tell you a hot soak in Epsom salts, a loofah scrub down & a massage puts the cherry on the cake? Cherry on the yoghurt. The whole experience calms my mind, eases my discomfort & makes me a nice person to be around. I've read a lot about breaking the fast. Some people say raw fruits & veggies. Some say cooked veggies because they are soft. What I do is for the 1st 2 days I drink broth like miso. Then I go on to soft fruits & veggies, tofu. Pears, plums, bananas, watermelon (no skin of course & no citrus, this means tomatoes too) avocados. I mix in yoghurt. Almond butters. Rice. Tempeh. Then I move to all the raw veggies & fruit. And finally eggs & raw fish. I don't like sweets & I'm not a fan of meats but they are so easy because they are always around. My weaknesses are crackers & cheese, popsicles & pasta. Oh lord, give me the strength to know the difference between craving & real hunger. Good luck to everyone. I hope you find what you're looking for.
when breaking your fast, eat
when breaking your fast, eat 2-3 dates, they can be found at many supermarkets or middle-eastern stores
Thank You
I appreciate your article, very informative.
Basis of Fasting
While one may find examples of fasting in many disparate 'religions', fasting traces its root back to ayurvedic medical principles (as far back as the written word can trace it, via sanskrit). It likely existed long before that, as common sense dictates that if your health or mental wellbeing are out of balance via food, then perhaps a break from said will aid in restoring balance.
Currently on day 11 of a 45 day fast, and then a two week tapering period...so long as knawing hunger does not return.
Reasons? Uncontrollable anger (sugar rage) has cost me my family. I was slightly overweight, but weight was not the reason. With fasting my body has balanced blood glucose to normal within days, whereas it was in the mid two-hundreds before. Clarity of thought and balanced reactions to lifes occurences have also returned.
Via fasting I wish to get rid of all glucose stores and re-establish a valid baseline going forward.
As to 'spiritualism', do you know that the word Faith in Sanskrit means...Reason?
Heres Hoping
Hi. My name is Danny. I am on the 2nd day of a "Water fast." I am doing it for 4 key reasons. First, I am constantly angry and I hear fasting helps to help with things like that. Second, I have never been a spiritual person and I have been so lost since my mother passed. I am hoping that during my fast something will happen to help me find a point. Third, I have never really completed anything in my life. So if I complete this, I am hoping it will boost my confidence. Lastly, I weigh 324 pounds... Hears hoping to change that.
Seek Jesus
Danny,
I was deeply moved by your desire for help! I too have struggled with emotional issues and weight issues. Life can be very difficult. I tried so many things and it wasn't until I began reading the Bible (good old fashioned holy bible) that I found real help!!! Jesus is real and He will help you!!! If you have never prayed before I would love say/type a pray for you:
Heavenly Father,
I pray right now for Danny. God I ask that you would reveal yourself to him. I pray that he would come to know how much you love him. I pray you would make what Jesus did on the cross a reality for him. I thank you God for your awesomeness and strength. That you God help those who call to you. Please comfort Danny and give him a hope and a future according to your word.
In Jesus name amen.
Danny,
I am going to continue to pray for you. I believe it was no accident that I stumble across this webpage. I know God has a plan for your life:)
Your friend,
Elizabeth
danny
I can't encourage you enough with this, Danny. I used to be 265 lbs, at 5'4". I now fast 3 days a week for health-- no idea how much I weigh, but I have a 34 inch waist. but it's not about wt loss, it's about health, happiness... Might also encouage you to consider Jesus--- not nessarily any denomination, but just Jesus. It's written "He knocks at the door of heart"
Good luck Danny, believe in
Good luck Danny, believe in yourself and you can achieve anything! Just take it one step at a time.
Thank you
for the author for an informative article, and I'm sorry for my negative burst. I'm just sad to see these parasitic religious people try to make every decent place into their playground of psychotic madness.
Effing religious freaks
What the eff are you discussing your sick bullshit in here for? This is not a religious forum. Go spread your schizophrenia somewhere else.
- Not religious, on my 7th day on fast now. I feel very peaceful and calm, except just now, when I saw your bulls*it.
-Sincerely, a fasting atheist who is quite happy with her life without imaginary ghosts up in the sky.
your hate?
I wonder why you atheists expect US to be tolerant of you and sin, and yet you have none for us, who love Jesus and people? When WE speak of our God and his love and help for others, we speak out of LOVE. Why do you hate this love? Why are you so mad at US for speaking what we know and feel, and expect to be able to spew out your venom? When you enjoy food, air, water and life, you are existing on the very things Our God made; yet you hate him. God is everywhere, in the air he made, so why not speak of him everywhere? You have no exclusive right to have it your way all the time.
a rather foolish comment
As I have researched the topic of Fasting, I have found that most people who do this consider themselves "Believers" of a Divine Being. As for me, I absolutely believe in a Heavenly Father, Some call him God... With this is mind, I believe your comment is the equivalent of an atheist walking into a Church and saying "You effing religious freaks need to quit bothering me with your BS". Wouldn't it be foolish to do that? Many of the people who fast, and comment on these forums are having a deeply religious experience. I would say that an atheist who fasts is certainly in the minority, hence the analogy of walking into a Church...
Fasting has many benefits for many people, atheists and non-atheists alike. We can respect each others perspective without being negative. Please don't insult other people for sharing their positive experiences.
I would wager that anyone who
I would wager that anyone who starts a comment with "effing" is not "quite happy with her life."
religion has nothing to do
religion has nothing to do with ghosts up in the sky! lol i doubt that you know anything about religion
Relax!
Take a chill pill. Your little rant came across just as religious and pretty intolerant. My advice: take all that stored "fat" and metabolize it into something more beneficial... maybe say like a... more comprehensive vocabulary where you don't find yourself having to resort to obscenities and profanity in an attempt to make your point. Have a better day!
Raw Food Detox Retreat
I am planning to attend an upcoming raw food detox retreat in Sedona, so, I really enjoyed this article. My weight goes up and down, and I'm definitely an emotional eater. I eat mostly for entertainment and out of boredom. I'm not depressed, by, being fat makes me feel depressed.
So, this Bodymind healing retreat is coming up, April 6-10, 2011 in Sedona, and I'm going. I'm looking forward to detoxing, and using this as a jumping off point to change to a healthy lifestyle.
There's still open space in the Body Mind Healing Retreat. Here's a link to the info for anyone who's interested Maybe I'll see you there!
HGH
Nice to read this article. Fasting in our modern world is not "hot" but has got a lot of benefits. Maybe a new trend in 2012 ?
Very Good Article.
Very well written article on a complex subject. All the biological benefits of fasting are laid out in an articulate manner. And as one pointed out, once in a week is also one of the best ways of fasting.
However, the turning of comments from physio/psycho-logical benfits to an argument over religious practices and preachings, is very sad. Appreciate the author for this brilliantly informative blog.
Very good advice I am a
A good way to get started fasting is to
'prefast'- eliminate caffeine sugars carbs and red meat for a time varying on your bodies toxicity level. The headaches and sickness that come when people start to fast happens because of toxins in there body. I have done quite a few fasts and I used to not be able to get beyond the 1 st day and a have and I have learned to do up to 21 days water fast.
It's is also crucial in how you break your fast. I have found activia yogurt is a great way to restart the digestive process, I do that for a day then veg soups then salads and lastly breads and meats
Break your fast wrong and you will hurt yourself physically
Just my input, fasting is for
Just my input, fasting is for you to focus on God and what you are asking him to do. We fast so we can put our attention on a problem we have or something we want from God. Somethings only come by fasting and praying the Bible says. We should strive to fast, also to pray and to read the Bible when we do. The Bible says that he is the living water and also that he is the bread of life so we should pray and read when fasting. It also gives opportunity for God to speak to us through his word (the Bible) and when you are talking to him in prayer.
fasting..
I am a Christian and I have fasted many times, I have done a forty day fast and many twenty days. I was told that I would be weak and tired in my fasting, and yet on my 40 day fast I had to exercise two hours a day just to burn off my excess energy.. I have never felt better in my life. I also do the Daniel fast that Daniel did in the bible.. that is veggies and water, while this fast seems like it would be easier it is not but it is a good fast for those who can not do a no food fast. And those who do it, just wait until you see how your body is actually supposed to work.. it is wonderful.
Other suggestions
Hi Sharon, I was planning to go on a 40 day water only fast like Jesus did. Twice I attempted (as a start) a 7 day fast only to give up twice by the end of the third day. This is because by the middle of the third day, I would have a combination of vertigo, headache and vomitings even though I have not eaten for almost 3 days. When the vomiting starts, any liquid I consume will come out through my mouth.
I tried just a fruits and vegetable diet as a suggested preparation but after 2 days of the fruit and vegetable diet, I was already feeling slight dizziness and vertigo, and I haven't even started on the fast.
It would help if you have any other suggestions?
fasting
Hi I just read your comment on the of fasting. I am curious about the type of fast ,other than the Daniel fast, that you have done. Did you go w/o food & water & was it just w/o food? I am getting ready to begin a no food/water fast & I am seeking insight on it. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Response
Hi, my name is Matthew Statham, I live in New Zealand Auckland. I've done water fasts, juice fasts and partial fasts. The answer to you question depends on what you are trying to achieve with your fast. Are you trying to break an addiction? Do you want to loose weight? Maybe you want to have a deeper spiritual connection with God? Believe it or not, fasting can achieve all of these goals to one degree or another. But the kind of fast will determine the intensity and longevity of your experience. A water only fast will cause you to loose weight very quickly, detox your body, bring you into a deeper spiritual awareness very quickly, and help you break physical, emotional and psychological addiction. The Psychosomatic benefits associated with my own fasting experience have been profound and very beneficial so i want to encourage you to try water fasting. Prior to your fast you should ideally spend three days preparing. Begin with a partial fast on day one, a juice fast on day two and three, and then begin a new water only fast. If it's your first time then 5 to 10 days is more than enough.
That is awesome
@Sharon, you did a 40 day fast? I would love to do a 40 day fast but I am a little scared to do it. I am on a 14 day fast right now but I was so encouraged by reading your comment. I really want my body to be heathier and I would like to get my weight under control. Please let me know how you were able to do it for 40days. I know our Lord, Jesus was able to do it but with every day life it seems almost impossible sometimes! I am encouraged!!!
Fasting for 40 days
I usually do a long fast once a year. By now my body automatically shifts into the fast wehn it gets around a year or so. I have done 10 - 40 day fasts.
The most important part is how you mantain your eating afterwards.
I have done it with water only, and with juices.
or soup brouths.
I fell most comfortable having powdered green drinks and juices. It almost seems like you are not fasting and not restricting yourself.
I have always gained back all the weight I lost.
I am a healthy 61 years old,
fasting is a big part of my health program I think. I rarely exercise.
Fasting
Hi Tina.. It is a long story on how I came to be fasting but in the end it was God told me to fast, and because I knew nothing about fasting except that Jesus did the 40 days in the desert that is the one I chose. Had I known that there were other kinds of fasting I probably would have chosen one of those because I admit I was a little over whelmed by the thought of 40 days. Because I had to still take care of my Mom the Lord had me drink Tomato juice which is the one juice I hate.. would rather have been prune juice.. but the Lord was right, the tomatoe juice cleaned me up inside and it because if its content my bowels never shut down as they do in many fasts. By the day 36 I was a little shaky but got over that and finished up fine. It made me feel great..
I admit I could not have done it without the Lord..and when I finished the first thing I ate was the bread for communion on sunrise service Easter morning..
Not sure if you are a born again or not but I will tell you I was healed twice during the time I was fasting, and it was amazing. I have never done 40 days since as it seems very daunting now. But I have just devoted the next year of my life to fasting the first ten days of every month so that will be a third of my year fasting.
You must be careful as I have found others not as blessed as myself and fasting was not a blessing to some.. if you find you health is not up to it the Daniel fast is the way to go.. and it makes you feel like a million bucks after a few weeks.
For weight control the ten days fasts are better than a 40 day fast as after a week or so your body shuts down into starvation mode and you lose very little weight, but ten days at a time it loses and then you stop and you do not eat as much for a while. With the Daniel fast you lose interest in food after a while as it is soooo boring. When you start to eat because your body demands it then you know you are on the road to recovery..
Hope you get what you need... and my God Bless your fasting.. and other than being born again nothing has brought me closer to God than fasting.
Your friend Sharon
Fasting
Sharon, I am a born again Christian! I love the Lord Jesus and believe that he is the only true and living God. So we are fellow(ladies) believers in Christ. (:
In your reply to my email you said you fasted for healing as well. My problem is that I have been trying to loose weight for many years now, going back and forth, yo-yo dieting. So I feel that its a major problem with me and I need to be healed from overeating, gluttony! So I began this journey fasting because I know that Jesus can heal us from anything but we must be willing participants as well and just not overeat because we feel like. In other words, I want to be totally set free from overeating and emotional eating. I have fasted in the past and I have noticed when I am done fasting that I don't really crave alot of food, but I actualy want to eat healthy and I really start to like vegetables, they don't even have to be seasoned. I just like the plain taste, which is actually amazing to me because I am use to eating food that has got to be well seasoned and taste really good! But after I fast, its like I receive new taste buds and I am fine. But as time goes on I began to go back to eating the way I use to and I gain even more weight back.
I guess I am saying I want a new lifestyle, a new way of eating this time around. I am water fasting for 15 days to really change the way I view food. I want to kinda change my desire for more healthy food instead of fatty foods. I am encouraged by your email because you said you were healed twice and I want to be healed from a lack of self control when it comes to eating, to becoming more disciplined with my eating. I would like to just have self control.
Currently on a fast and God is really working things out.
I am so encouraged to know that I am not alone in fasting to improve my faith. I am getting close to the end of a 42 day fast. This fast is awesome and God has blessed me everytime I have done this fast. He is just soooo Good. Check out these two websites and .(copy and paste them if they don't come up as a link) The thing I love about this particular fast is that the spirtual aspect is explained throughly. The fast it just a further extension to cleanse the body.If you follow this program there is NO way your spirit can't be changed. Please check this out and be blessed.
Your Sister in Christ.
Well you are not alone in
Well you are not alone in this problem Tina. I also find that I tend to eat to much when I eat.. and while fasting is great it takes a stonger will to stop eating the wrong way. I am a vegan and I still over eat.. darn potato chips!
Some day when I am not taking care of my Mom I will try a water fast.. looking forward to that. Hope you get the healing you are looking for.. and I have to say I never felt closer to God than when I was fasting.
When I am fasting I like to think of all the Christians, Muslims and Jews who are fasting at the same time as I am.. then we seem like a mighty army!
Never thought of asking for healing in the way I eat.. maybe I shall do that next time. I am going to fast the first ten days of every month starting the month Lent is in.. and continue for a year. That should be fun.. The bible says try not to look sad when you are fasting.. I have to try and wipe the smile off my face. Let me know how it goes for you.. be interested to hear..
It has been 8 days now...
Sharon, I have water fasted for eight days now and it has been quite amazing. The first few days I had a lot of discomfort and upset stomaches but now I am very fine. Around about the sixth day I finally felt like my digestive system was relaxing and no more upset stomach. I truly want this fast to be a time for me to get healed from all the over eating and emotional eating.
My pastor has said before that we have to get to the "root" of the problem. In other words the very reason why we tend to over eat and emotional eating. So that is the questions I am asking myself during this fast and praying about it.
You said you were a vegan, what is it that you eat? I would really like to avoid red meats and of course all those potato chips as well!
I am aslo thinking about fasting the first 5 days of each month!!! Hope I can do it, this water fasting can make you feel very weak at first but as the days go by you actually get engerized.
glad you are over the hump..
Hi.. sorry to take so long to answer, I live on the top of snow mountian as we like to call it and sometimes the interent is just down. I had no power at all for a week before Christmas.. that was fun.
It is rough trying not to over eat sometimes.. and well potato chips actually call my name.. Did you see the show Oprah did on being vegan. A friend had me watch it and it was pretty good.
Guess we will be fasting together for the first few days of April... that will be fun.. and yes I got that energized feeling also from fasting, the opposite of what I thought it would be.
fasting, veganism
I would like to chime in here about these subjects, of which I have quite a bit of personal experience. First periodic fasting can be beneficial. You should also be careful with it, because if you are not eating well between fasts, u could develop nutritional deficiencies. I think the ideal would be something like once a week. Have you ever heard of Paul Bragg? His recommendation is once a week. I think 10 days of every month is probably too much. I think a longer one (7 days) plus probably shouldn't be done more than 3-4 times per year. If you're really serious about improving your digestion system, u might also want to look into intestinal cleanses. I would use a program recommended by a naturopath doctor. Be careful about all of those products out there. About vegetarianism and veganism, you also should be careful. I was vegetarian for 10 years, and I don't think I was any healthier than my non-vegetarian friends. I believe u can develop nutritional deficiencies with a vegan and vegetarian diet (especially veganism). You should check out the work of Weston a price. There is a Weston Price foundation that has a lot of info about diet and the concerns of veganism/vegetarianism. About eating disorders and God, I think it is really good to seek Him with all of your heart about the reason you turn to food. I believe we turn to food instead of him when we feel bad about something. There also might be emotional wounds that make us feel bad, especially when triggered by a similar event that caused the original trauma. I think seeking God in prayer and the Bible and in good Christian fellowship can be very helpful. If u can afford it, a good Christian counselor can be helpful, but u want to make sure they don't downplay our own propensity to be selfish and self-centered. Our response to what happens to us in life is almost always the source of our problems. As far as diet conclusions for me- try to eat as close to nature as u can. Avoid packaged food made in a factory. Try to eat organic meat if you are going to eat meat as it is healthier and the animals are treated ethically. Juice vegetables. Reduce all forms of sugar, even the so called healthy sugars. Limit caffeine. Exercise, but don't over do it. Too much constant intensity cardio is not optimal and can cause problems. Ideally, find something u really like doing for exercise.
Veganism
I am vegan and I definitely do not have any nutritional deficits. I would maybe agree with your statement that someone who is vegetarian probably is not any healthier than a non-vegetarian. I was vegetarian for almost a year before becoming vegan. Vegetarians still rely a lot of dairy, which is the culprit of my nutritional deficiencies and immune problems since it makes our blood very acidic and produces mucus and many other problems. And trying to eat as close to nature as possible definitely doesn't include animal products for me.
Got to say I am healthier
Got to say I am healthier than all my non vegetarian friends... they are all on meds or battling some disease. I am 60 and have no health issues and take no medications. As a vegan I can also say I even look healthier. Check out that little experiment Oprah did and see that the results are almost immediate for vegans..one MAN lost two cup sizes ...yes ... and most all lost weight and claimed to feel much better.. many say they will stick with it, but meat is one of the most addicting of all the substances. Folk who can quit smoking can not quit meat. I have heard many say they will only to fail. Some last a few weeks, some a few months but most return to meat and diary. Thats when you hear all the health stuff, oh I need the iron, or I need the protein but we all know that the protein in greens is easier to digest and a spoonful of peanut butter is equal to one steak..
I know because I have not had a vit pill in over ten years, and I have not suffered any problems, in fact it cured a couple of health problems I had back then.
It is not that they are trying to fool others it is that they are trying to convince themselves, as it is hard to admit one can not do something, especially when the life and death of animals is involved. It is hard and for that reason I say nothing when I hear someone say oh I need the milk.. I just think to myself..no one needs that milk dear, its full of garbage and is making you sick..but I know that there is no point in telling them the truth because they already know it and have chosen to ignore it.
Took me twenty years to quit smoking so I know how hard things can be even if you really want something very badly as I did to quit smoking. So folks trying to quit meat and diary is a victory of its own, they just have to keep on trying.. may take them twenty years but a victory is a victory. And I will be cheering on the side lines..
Hi Richard.. thanks for your
Hi Richard.. thanks for your concern. I am not a vegan because of health issues I am one because I love animals. I could not eat a piece of cow no matter who raised it or how kindly they killed it.. it is like ashes in my mouth. So as you can see it is not an option to eat meat, or anything that causes suffering to an animal.
As for health.. well I also have been a vegetarian for over a decade and I can tell you I am in better shape then ALL of my friends. All of them take drugs of one sort or another, most of them take more than that. Most of them have had a round of two with one disease or another, mostly cancer.
When you get bowel cancer the first thing the specialist will tell you is no more meat.. and Physicans for Responsible Medicine have been screaming this message for years.
But even if none of this was so I would still not be eating meat as God took it from me, and then drug me to the door of the Ark and showed me that when Noah and his sons sent that pleasing aroma up the the Lord the Lord was not as pleased as old Noah and his sons.. the only thing that could have displeased the Lord was the fact they were killing animals, the Lord said they had evil in their heart from their youth...not born with it but from their youth, as no one feeds a baby meat..so the Lord said OH eat meat then as if he was speaking to naughty children, but told them not to eat meat with the blood of life in it.. which effectivly is all flesh, but you know how clever man is, he kills ( Thou Shalt Not Kill) and hangs it up to drain the blood out.. just like a willful child. Kind of funny but not really.
And even if that was not so I still would not eat meat as it takes between 11 and 17.5 gallons of water a day, to keep one cow.. a day! And we all know the price of land erosion and how much grain one cow needs. How can I do that in a world of starving children. So many folks say God is letting children starve, he is not, we are, because of greed and selfishness.
I know many do not like that I say this, and yet it is only the truth. If I can go for a decade as a vegetarian and five as a vegan , and be as my daughter the RN says the picture of health, without taking any supplememts or drugs than it obviously can be done.
My only wish is that I did this when I was younger..
The fasting is now proving to be the most amazing thing, new science is telling us that the less you eat the longer you live, and that fasting not only extends your life it makes you much healthier than the folks who do not.
Guess thats why Daniel and David fasted, Jesus and his diciples and why Jesus says to fast and pray often. Leave it to Jesus to give good advise.
I am Christian and I did not hear about fasting in church, nor from a minister but God had to tell me to fast.
And this stuff on here about Muslims will not come from me, as a Christian I love my Muslim brothers and sisters. They do not blame me for the crusades and I do not blame them for terrorists.
We both know that when you have millions of people you are always going to have those who wish to be nothing but evil.. but this is not the place for that..
It was very kind of you to be concerned for my health. I take it you have returned to eating meat. All my children eat meat and all my friends eat meat..except for those who were told by Doctors not to, that is the way of the world. But I love them and they love me, even though I am a nag.. and hardly anyone askes me about meat so thanks for the chance to talk about it..
If its been a while since you looked up fasting look at the new stuff on it, I think you will be surprised and pleased.. I know I was..
religion only matters for the eternity after our 100 yrs here
Good luck Chris!! I am doing the same thing, day 1 today, I was also searching for fasting benefits to motivate me, love google :) I have done one 5 day & 3 day before, I found fasting gave me so much belief in my self and my capabilities the last two times.
Been lacking self-belief since dating my ex for past 14 months. He becomes easily enraged & appears to have learned in his life that if you feel bad & you are bigger than the person you are with you can punish them(eg. When he was 12, his Dad hit a pole while parking & bashed him, or his brother got stung by a jelly fish when they were at the beach so his Dad belted them both). He claims to be Islamic. I think he unquestioningly believes the “religion” of his Dad. Whenever he has been enraged & hit me he shouts in Arabic, I am Australian, Swedish background, my Arabic is quite limited, I didn't understand most of what he said, and he knows this.. I wonder then to whom he was speaking.
People are strange. I will get self back.
I think hitting wife is allowed in Islam, though I believe for limited circumstances, plus I have read Muhammad (pbuh) did not hit his wives & believers should aim to emulate him - I guess like Christians have “What would Jesus do?” Though as far as I know Muhammad (pbuh) also married Aisha when she was 9 - perhaps not everything can be emulated into 2011.
I dont have a religion, I think they're all cooL though, I tried the belif-o-matic online [seemed sacrilegious at first, but when I thought about it - is less random than unquestionably accepting the religion you were born into]. The result it gave me was Unitarianism, not too keen, guess is lucky I wasn't born into that.
Happy Fasting! :)
Quite a fallacy Louisia.
Quite a fallacy Louisia. Respect for wife, children, friends and even enemies is central to the tenets of Islam !
Having travelled all over the world, i've noticed that when people are emotional and express themselves aggressively, they are appealing to culture like here in the US there is a f*** for everything.
Think about it !
Not True
'Respect for wife, children, friends and even enemies is central to the tenets of Islam !'
That is simply not true. Have you read the Quran and the Hadiths? Islam permits wife bashing and the total destruction or enslavement of the enemy. I dint know where you got your idea from, but certainly not from Islam. I was born a Muslim, and I understand that the Islamic Holy books don't teach what you have just written.
In Islam, respect for wife has a different meaning than it has for, say, an traditional American. Go learn, and you will find out. I pity the lady who's lover is a Muslim!
Huh?
I was shocked to read all the comments about religion after this article. Great article by the way. I'm currently rounding day two and I feel great! Here's my two cents towards the Muslim comments. I'll quit Muslim bashing when Muslims quit forcing their condemnation of all other religions down my throat... the worlds throat for that matter.
Fasting
A good article. My first experience was doing a four day fast; the first 2-3 days are the most difficult, as they are for me. I did a seven day fast many years ago, but did it just to see how long I can go; not really for spiritual or physical reasons. How I came about fasting is from a book I found in my parents attic that my brother left behind, by Herbert Shelton. I would highly suggest to everyone that he is the authority on fasting; as I have read several of his books on fasting. The past few years I have tried to go on an extended fast, but have given into my weakness or base desire to eat. Mostly I have went 1-3 days. I am highly active, and have a voracious appetite and lack of self-control with my eating. Now I am determined to do an eight day fast, maybe longer. It has been on my mind to do this for some time now, for my life has been exceedingly stressful, especially this year (2010). Today, this morning I began my fast, and to inspire me I googled fasting and read this article, and to inspire me to go forward. I know fasting is a great way to restore health, physical, mental or emotional, and to get closer to God. for I have experienced this, even during my 1-3 days fasts. I would appreciate your help, prayers, even thoughts to support me during this eight day fast. May God be with us, may we strive to be humble and seek to do good, be kind, and seek to help others.
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