Introduction

Fasting is defined as abstinence from all food and drink apart from water for a limited period of time to maintain or improve health, or treat a specific illness. Juice fasting, a popular variation, is abstinence from all food and drink except water, vegetable juices and fruit juices. A modified fast includes small amounts of solid food, usually raw fruits as well as raw and steamed vegetables. Some advocates of fasting include other modifications as well, such as vegetable broth, herbal teas and nutritional supplements. Most of the research into the therapeutic value of fasting has explored the ‘only water’ method.
A short fast, lasting from one to three days, can generally be tolerated by most people. An extended fast like more than three days should be supervised by a doctor, preferably one trained in fasting therapy.
Fasting has been known since ancient times. In fact, there are references to it in the Bible, the Koran and ancient Indian, Chinese and Greek medical texts. Historically, people have fasted as part of religious rituals, as a way of expressing grief, and as part of political protests. Fasting to benefit health is a relatively new practice and is generally undertaken only in prosperous Western societies.

Line of action

Critics of fasting therapy often confuse fasting with starvation. In the fasting state, nonessential tissue, like fat, is used for fuel while vital organs are spared. Starvation occurs when the body has depleted its fat stores and begins to use vital organs for fuel. Obviously, if the body does not receive food after a supervised fast, starvation and death will inevitably follow.
The series of physiologic events that occurs within the body during a fasting state has been well-studied and follows a definite sequence. Basically, the body undergoes certain changes in metabolism to conserve its energy sources but continues to function with the same degree of efficiency. For example, blood sugar levels remain fairly constant no matter how long the fast lasts.
Early in fasting, the body both manufactures glucose (gluconeogenesis) and releases stores of it from within the liver (glycogenolysis). After a few days, the body will release triglycerides from fat cells. These tryglycerides become oxidized and form acids called ketones, which are then used for energy production. All of these changes slow the overall metabolism of the body to about 75% of its normal rate. For this reason, plenty of rest and no vigorous exercise is routinely advised while fasting.

Procedure

If anyone would like to try a fast for the duration of one to three days, it is probably safe to do so, by themselves, as long as being healthy and not pregnant or breast-feeding. If anyone plans to fast for longer than three days, should seek medical supervision.
If your primary care practitioner is not willing to supervise the fast, one can seek a naturopathic physician, nutritionally oriented chiropractor, nutritionist or registered dietitian. Before the beginning, the practitioner should go over medical history, conduct a physical examination and perform other tests to be sure that the body of the one, who is fasting, is up to the challenge of a fast.
Preparation for the fast should start with a day of eating light vegetarian meals, focusing on raw fruits plus raw and steamed vegetables. Throughout the fast, drink plenty of liquids like water, if one is on a strict fast and non-acidic juices and herbal teas, if one is on a modified fast. While one needs to continue any prescription medicines for a specific condition, should continue but can stop taking any nutritional supplements during the fast. The way one breaks the fast is also important. Ease back into solid food the same way eased into the fast with light meals of fruits and vegetables. A large amount of food right away may be too much for system to comfortably handle.
At the beginning of the fast, one may feel energized or the hunger may trigger headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and irritability. As time goes on, will probably feel calmer and may even experience a heightened sense of well-being and clarity of mind. The sleep patterns may be disrupted but should make sure to nap during the day if the sleep at night is lighter. In addition, the tongue of the fasting person may feel furry or coated and may develop bad breath. Rinse mouth with plain water or water mixed with lemon juice to relieve these symptoms. If dizziness, nausea, aching limbs or visual or hearing disturbances bothers, contact the practitioner for consultation.
Do not pursue the regular activities during a fast. For a weekend fast, one will want to stay close to home. Limit exercise to walks, stretching exercises and yoga or Tai chi. Good pastimes are meditating, napping, reading and listening to relaxing music.

Benefits

Published research into therapeutic fasting first appeared in the late nineteenth century. Since that time articles have appeared in conventional medical journals in both the United States and Europe showing the positive results of supervised fasting in treating various diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, skin disease, gastrointestinal disease, arthritis and allergies. How fasting positively affects these diseases and what its long-term effects are, depends on the ailment. If anyone has a chronic medical problem and is interested in the benefits of fasting as a therapeutic modality specific to the condition, the best bet is to locate a nutritionally oriented physician or naturopath with some experience in the field.
There is very little published evidence that fasting has any value for a healthy individual. Even so, practitioners of naturopathic medicine regularly recommend fasting as the therapeutic tool for internal cleansing, otherwise known as detoxification. Periodic fasting, naturopaths believe, helps overworked systems like the gastrointestinal tract, skin, liver, and kidneys remove potentially damaging toxins from the body.
A naturopathic definition of what constitutes a ‘toxin’ vastly exceeds that of conventional medicine. While both camps tend to agree that certain heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury and chemical compounds like pesticides, herbicides, solvents are toxic, naturopaths expand the list to include food additives, many commonly prescribed drugs, cigarettes, recreational drugs and alcohol. Substances produced by bacteria-induced chemical reactions in the intestine.
In addition to using fasting for cleansing purposes, many healthy individuals find it a useful way of weaning themselves off of unhealthy foods. A fast of no more than three days can be used to launch a healthier diet for example, changing to a vegetarian diet from a meat-based regimen.
A fast can also be an effective way to begin a low calorie diet, a signal to the body that it is altering the way you eat. The hunger produced from a fast can lead some people to splurge afterward. The ‘to and fro’ effect of fasting and binging can slow down metabolism, making it harder to lose weight in the long run.

Cautions

1. Even healthy individuals should not undertake an extended fast of more than three days without medical supervision.
2. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should not fast.
3. If one has advanced cancer, a compromised immune system, diabetes, ulcers or liver, kidney, heart or lung disease, should never fast without medical supervision.
4. Fasting as part of the treatment for a chronic disease such as heart disease, epilepsy, arthritis or schizophrenia should be under the supervision of a physician experienced in the field.
5. Anyone who takes prescription or recreational drugs regularly should not fast without medical supervision. Withdrawal symptoms can develop quickly during fasting.
6. It is important to break a fast carefully. Eating too much too soon will overload digestive system, causing uncomfortable and disruptive reactions. The doctor can help to decide how best to break the fast as per individual needs.