First of all, what is fasting? In the simplest terms, fasting is abstaining from all food. Today, the word fasting has been used to include many dietary choices such as juice only fasting, single food fasts, like grapes only or apples only, and specialty fasts such as the popular Master Cleanse. This article is meant to address only one kind of fast, the water only fast, that completely eliminates all solid food, juices, supplements and other liquids for the duration of the fast. Water only fasting is perhaps the most difficult fast to do. It does have some potential dangers and should not be attempted for any great length of time (no more than 10 days at the absolute maximum) without professional supervision. However, water only fasting can have great benefits for the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of someone who is willing to prepare and approach the fast correctly and for the right reasons.
The basic principle of water only fasting is detoxification. When the body goes without any outside fuel it begins searching within itself for what it needs to survive. The basic fuel for the body is glucose, a simple Sugar and end product of carbohydrate digestion. In the first 48-72 hours of fasting, the body may use some muscle mass for a ready supply of glucose. After this time, the body will go into a protein sparing mode. In a highly toxic body there is an ample supply of diseased tissue, crystals deposits in the joints, infections, abscesses and plenty of body fat for the body to digest. Unfortunately, as the body begins to breakdown these substances for fuel, toxins are released into the bloodstream and the body begins to feel ill. It is not the act of fasting that causes the cleansing crisis, it is the release of toxins that prove the fast is working. Many people cannot endure the cleansing (sometimes called healing) crises and must break their fast. Eating again stops the process of detoxification because the body has a more accessible supply of fuel.
Body fat is broken down into fatty acids which are used by the heart and muscles for energy. This ,of course, is what happens to any dieting body where the demand for fuel outweighs the food being ingested. In the fasting body another thing occurs to keep the brain going at full capacity. The liver begins creating ketones from the body's fat. The brain uses ketones for its fuel instead of glucose. Gradually, as ketone levels rise, other organs Will also use them for fuel. Muscle wasting is stopped or reduced to an insignificant level. Most researchers do not believe that ketone production will take place in any fast but water only. Any other fuel, like fruit juice of Master Cleanse drink will contain enough glucose to prevent ketones, but may still require some muscle wasting to provide all the glucose required by the body.
Whole textbooks are written on the physiological mechanics of fasting. Let's look instead to the "whys" of beginning a fast. The most obvious reason to begin a fast is to cleanse, detoxify and heal the body. After years of toxic foods, toxic lifestyle, emotions and thinking patterns, the average person is suffering from severe auto-intoxication. We have more toxins whirling around in us than our systems can eliminate. As we become more toxic, our immune systems become compromised. Disease (read that dis-ease) is the result. This can include cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes and a host of other things. Including fasting as part of an overall lifestyle and dietary overhaul is one way to prevent and perhaps even cure these plagues of modern life.
One of the worst reasons to fast is, unfortunately, weight loss. While occasional fasting can certainly be part of a weight loss program, most people who begin a prolonged fast simple to loss weight are destined to fail. First of all excess fats means excess toxins since many toxins are stored in body fat. Another, even more important reason that fasting alone rarely works in sustained weight loss is that the underlying cause of the excess weight is not addressed. Self examination, self discipline, and a whole new way of thinking, eating and living are necessary to loss weight and keep it off. Fasting may help, but it cannot do it alone.
With all the other options and the known risks, is fasting worth it? Many experts will say yes. Given proper preparation including weeks of clean diet, a series of short (1-3 day fasts)and a determination to improve our health, there is a lot to be gained by attempting a 7-10 day water only fast. Once again, any fast longer than 10 days should be done with supervision. Hopefully, this forum will attract some people serious about improving their health with a series of wisely done, carefully monitored fasts; and will offer support and advice to those who hope to do the same.
(written by GLH, April 2,2004)