smashbtws,
I fully concur with the reply from NH, so please take heed as to what he has said.
I would also add that more people die or suffer serious health consequences while eating, than they ever have while fasting, after all you are only living from stored food reserves, rather than from external sources.
These may help.......... http://naturalhygienesociety.org/articles/fasting1.html
Therefore a 20 day fast properly conducted at home, when you are forearmed with the knowledge to carry it through, is entirely beneficial and extremely safe: safer than eating in fact.