THE BENEFITS OF FASTING
by
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.
Good health results from healthy living.
No matter how successful a fasting experience might be, it needs to be followed by a consistently healthy lifestyle. The requirements of good health must continue to be provided — especially in the areas of diet, environment, activity and psychology.
The examples that follow are just a few of the many beneficial uses of fasting:
- An aid in transition Thousands of patients from all over the world with a wide variety of health concerns require a period of supervised fasting to achieve their health goals.
- Overcoming addictions Addictions to drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, nicotine and caffeine are examples where fasting can dramatically reduce the often protracted withdrawal symptoms that prevent many people from becoming drug-free. Most people are surprised at how easy it is to quit smoking or drinking with the help of fasting.
- Detoxification A normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and skin.
- Healing Process During a fast energy is diverted away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the metabolism and immune system. 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. Therefore, when one is fasting, the person is consciously diverting energy from the digestive system to the immune system.
- Rejuvenation and Extended Life Expectancy A slower metabolic rate, more efficient protein production, an improved immune system, and the increased production of hormones contribute 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.
Where to fast
With the possible exception of very short fasts in acute disease — such as a cold, fever, etc.— all fasting should be undertaken in an institution under the direct supervision of a doctor trained in fasting supervision. Fasting under the supervision of a trained, qualified doctor is your best assurance of a well-conducted, beneficial fasting experience.
There are exceptions. Not everyone is a candidate for fasting. There are a number of factors in addition to general health, to consider before a fast is recommended:
- medical history
- physical condition
- current diet
- psychological profile
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July 9th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
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