Fasting II

[Guest guest]

I was planning on posting about fasting to support Shakti's proposed

event, but as it turns out it will be a follow-up to Kevin's post.

 

Everyday we take in food which puts the body to work digesting and

utilizing the nutrients. Like our jobs, occasionally a vacation from

work is very beneficial to the body. What does the body do when we

give it a vacation from digesting the food we put in it? It devotes

its energy into cleaning out of the body those things it doesn't

need, while the digestive organs rest. Once you get past the first

two days of a fast, the hunger no longer bothers you. What I like

about fasts is that it is the cheapest way you can get healthier.

You're not paying to see a doctor or herbalist and getting more

things to put in your body to add to what it already is digesting,

which all costs money. Plus you are not paying for the food you

would normally be eating.

 

As with any health decision, fasting is not for everybody. If you

are taking drug medications or have a serious health problem, it

would not be wise to do a water-only fast. And of course, don't

expect to carry on physically during a fast like you would when you

are eating. If you are relatively healthy and want to feel even

better, a fast would definitely help you both financially and

healthwise.

 

Ron Koenig

[Guest guest]

I remember Victoria Boutenko saying that the place in Michigan where they

worked would send you home if you weren't having a healing " event " within

the first two weeks. Without an outward healing crisis they took it to mean

you had something seriously wrong on the inside. Bring on the cold sores,

the rashes, the runny nose, etc..............!!!

 

Shari

[Guest guest]

>What does the body do when we give it a vacation from digesting the

>food we put in it? It devotes its energy into cleaning out of

 

It sounds like spring cleaning. A long weekend or vacation, no work

till Monday... clean the house, top to bottom!

 

>As with any health decision, fasting is not for everybody. If you

>are taking drug medications or have a serious health problem, it

>would not be wise to do a water-only fast.

 

If someone is interested in getting off medications, fasting is

actually the time to do it... WITH supervision. Loren Lockman, who

operates the Tanglewood Welness Center, has spoken about taking

clients off their medications when they fast under his care. It had

occured to me 15 or 20 years ago (long before becoming vegan or raw)

that extended fasting would be how to get someone off certain

medications.

 

A friend of mine not long ago had some " cold " symptoms. He chose to

fast on water to overcome the " cold. " He fasted 4 1/2 days and

actually took himself off his medications. The week before the " cold "

and fast, his blood pressure was 190/? without medications. He has

had high blood pressure for 20 years or more. After the fast and 6

days of raw foods, he had normal blood pressure without meds. I'm

sure it would have tested normal before he began eating. Oh yeah, the

" cold " went away after a few days of fasting. Since then he has had

some " detoxing " (previously " colds " ). He continues to sound and feel

better as he continues raw! It may be coincidence, but he sounds

better agter each detoxing event ( " cold. " )

 

Jeff

 

 

[Guest guest]

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/2221.html

 

 

To some people, it seems logical that fasting, or not eating, helps the body to

rid itself of harmful substances, including the toxins you mention. People fast

in various ways and for various reasons: fasts can be limited to only juice,

water, or herbal tea, for example, and may be done for religious, political, or

health reasons, to name just a few. Fasts are often fads, or part of a " health

regimen " or a week away " healing " program. Although many people can withstand

one day of fasting, as in some religious practices, extended periods may prove

unsafe for most others. Fasting is highly unwise for people with eating

disorders or impaired immune systems. It is also not recommended for elderly

persons, children, or pregnant women. The " health " part of fasting is more myth

than fact. In fact, denying yourself nutrients can actually work against you.

 

To help understand why, a lot can be learned from taking a moment to investigate

the body's own detoxification process. The human body is quite ingenious. It was

designed to have two major pathways to eliminate harmful substances. First are

the immune tissues of the intestinal tract, and second are the enzymes of the

liver. Did you know that the intestinal tract generates about 70 percent of our

antibodies? These little heroes attach themselves to many of the bacteria,

toxins, and viruses that enter our bodies, inactivate them, and prevent many

from being absorbed, helping to protect us against infection and illness.

 

Harmful substances that slip by the intestinal detoxification system are

delivered to the liver. This second pathway has two detoxification phases: (1)

various transformations occur preventing the perilous substances from creating

harm to our bodies; (2) another series of reactions occur, causing these

substances to become less toxic. They are then excreted from the body in urine

and feces.

 

So, how does fasting influence the body's detoxification processes? Our

nutritional status affects the body's ability to manufacture antibodies and

enzymes, and the liver's ability to detoxify. Fasting deprives the body of the

raw materials — sufficient calories, proteins, and certain vitamins and minerals

— needed to make antibodies and enzymes. Eating keeps our immune system strong.

 

In addition, specific phytochemicals (naturally occurring plant chemicals in

vegetables and fruits) assist in the detoxification pathways, including the

following examples:

 

Indoles, found in broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and other cruciferous

(cabbage family) vegetables, are helpful in the liver's first phase.

 

The liver's second phase is enhanced by isothiocyanates and dithiolthiones, also

found in cruciferous vegetables, and by limonoids, found in citrus fruits. These

phytochemicals help block carcinogens from damaging our cells' DNA (thereby

protecting us against cancer). Compounds in garlic, onions, shallots, leeks, and

the spice cumin also enhance phase two of the liver's detoxification system.

 

So, fasting does not boost the body's disposal system, or cleanse your body in a

healthy way. Fasting denies you all the nutrients you need in a day to stay

healthy!

 

Ron Koenig <ron.koenig wrote:

 

I was planning on posting about fasting to support Shakti's proposed

event, but as it turns out it will be a follow-up to Kevin's post.

 

Everyday we take in food which puts the body to work digesting and

utilizing the nutrients. Like our jobs, occasionally a vacation from

work is very beneficial to the body. What does the body do when we

give it a vacation from digesting the food we put in it? It devotes

its energy into cleaning out of the body those things it doesn't

need, while the digestive organs rest. Once you get past the first

two days of a fast, the hunger no longer bothers you. What I like

about fasts is that it is the cheapest way you can get healthier.

You're not paying to see a doctor or herbalist and getting more

things to put in your body to add to what it already is digesting,

which all costs money. Plus you are not paying for the food you

would normally be eating.

 

As with any health decision, fasting is not for everybody. If you

are taking drug medications or have a serious health problem, it

would not be wise to do a water-only fast. And of course, don't

expect to carry on physically during a fast like you would when you

are eating. If you are relatively healthy and want to feel even

better, a fast would definitely help you both financially and

healthwise.

 

Ron Koenig