Fasting Tips

Fasting refers to abstinence from food, mainly solid food. Fluids are consumed in sufficient amounts to quench thirst and meet the physiologic requirements of the body. If it is a water fast then it is mainly water that one is allowed to take. However, one can have juice when on a juice fast. Fasting can last from 1 day up to 40 days. Does this make you wonder how long can a person live without food? Well, the fact is that a well nourished human being can survive for 50 to 75 days without food, provided one is not exposed to severe emotional stress or hard work. Our body stores enough nutrients within its tissues that it resorts to during fasting, using these up while leaving the healthy cells intact. When fasting, our body cleanses itself systematically of everything other than vital tissues. Starvation sets in only when the vital tissues start getting used up. However, one should be aware of the important fasting tips to reap the maximum benefits out of the cleansing process that fasting actually is.

Benefits of Fasting

The fact that intake of food is prohibited during fasting may make one question' Are there any reasons to fast?' Wouldn't fasting cause weakness and loss of muscle fibers? However, the fact is that these events occur only when the body enters the stage of starvation which isn't what fasting aims at. In fact, there are a number of benefits of fasting, like:

• As we do not take any external food that needs to be digested by the body, much of the energy that would normally be used by the digestive system is diverted towards the various processes of detoxification in our body. This period allows the body to detoxify the body swiftly and efficiently.
• When the load of toxins in the body is high, the extra toxins are eliminated in the form of vomiting, diarrhea, boils and other discharges. As the toxic load on body during fasting is reduced, these symptoms are reduced.
• During long fasting periods the body gets rid of dead, dying and diseased cells. All toxins in the bloodstream, lymphatic system and even in the deeper organs are eliminated and damaged cells are repaired. Hence fasting is an effective healing process.
• As the body gets rejuvenated, the immune system is strengthened. Health of all the different systems of the body is restored.
• Increase in mental activity and higher levels of energy are other results of fasting. Fasting also helps in weight loss.

Tips on Fasting

For those who do not fast regularly or are doing it for the first time, it is better to adopt a moderate approach towards fasting and then graduate to stricter regimes. Start with a 1 day program. Then move on to programs for 2 days, 3 days and so on. In between the fasting days, one can have food consisting of raw fruits, vegetables, soups and juices. This is a good way of graduating to a 5 or 10 days fast.

A first timer could consider juice fasting than water fasting as juice fasting is easier than water fast. Also juice fast provides most of the nutrients and calories that solid foods provide. Hence one would not miss solid food when on a juice fast.

One of the important fasting tips is to prepare the body slowly for the process. For beginners, it is helpful to start fasting with a little bit of food each day. Extend the fast to 12 to 14 hours in the evening (including sleep). Such a method could also be adopted for a couple of days before actually starting the fast. For greater benefits from fasting, one should stop the intake of alcohol, caffeine, red meat, sugar and poultry for a few days before going in for a fast. Also the intake of nutritional supplements should be limited. Natural is the way to go during fasting!

For the first 2 days one may feel irritated and experience headaches. However, from the 3rd day onwards, one's body adjusts better to the fasting program. To avoid such symptoms, one could take a meal that would comprise of water, juices, tea or snacks made from fresh fruits and vegetables, sometime around 3 p.m.

As it is clear that even during fasting, all the nutritional requirements of the body are met, there is no reason to stop working out. In fact regular exercise will help expedite the cleansing process. However, beginners can go easy with their workouts in case they are used to heavy workouts. Yoga and meditation are great ways to complement the healing process during fasting.

One of the important tips for fasting is not to start binging on food once you are out of it. Since the body has already got accustomed to eating healthy and only as much as required, fasting is good opportunity to start off with healthy eating habits.

Those who are underweight or pregnant should not fast. People who have undergone a surgery or are suffering from anemia, hyperglycemia, chronic problems of heart, kidneys or lungs should avoid going on a fast. Nevertheless, if one is suffering from some health condition it is always better to consult a physician before starting a fast.

Fasting is not a crash course for weight loss. Despite all the benefits, listen to your body. If one feels ill while fasting, call in the doctor. It is important to follow the fasting tips in order to reap the benefits of fasting that ensures overall well being of the body.