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Fasting

Ok, you asked for an opinion. Fasting can be both beneficial and harmful like most interventions and lifestyle options related to health.

Inform and arm yourself with knowledge then carefully (I suggest under medical supervision)... try some different methods aimed at achieving your desired effect (ie. weight-loss, cleansing, ect).

Remain within healthy limits by consulting with a medical professional and maintain REALISTIC expectations (like short term fasting).
Don't forget to be informed about any undesirable side effects like malnutrition.

There are real medical reasons to fast - but these are usually done one-on-one in a medical setting to properly supervise the entire process. For those who wish to go about fasting in a more private setting - be aware of what exactly you are doing to your body. If you're trying to lose weight - this generally isn't a long term or immediately effective method that stands the test of time. However cleansing has for a long time been sought through fasting diets. If you have a specific intent ...have a plan and be willing to alter it should something go astray (like not feeling well).

Should all goes as planned and you have a good outcome after ending your fast. I suggest you share your methods and plans with others that they too might be able to achieve your success.

I have a hard time believing you should spend any great length of time or money on any one "cure- all". After all - nothing good can come from a quick fix or know-it-all.
Take advice lightly and from those you trust. Most alternative medicine professionals can give you some good information and advice... if you don't know who you can trust or believe in. At least seek some medical supervision - even if you think you know exactly what you're getting yourself into. That way if something happens or changes ...someone else will be in the know ...alongside you. And they can also help you do something about it.

I hate watching someone get so far in over their heads about some idea...then come crawling into ER screaming about their stupidity. Sigh. Use your head.

For those who have great lessons to share - please do. This process isn't for everyone though. Caveat Emptor!
 
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Fasting does not put the body 'at rest' or give the 'organs a break'.

Fasting = STRESS to the body. Your body needs adequate nutrition EVERY DAY to work optimally.

Your body does not see fasting as "O Wow, we have time to take a break from all that metabolism! Now we can get down to the business of removing toxins from cells!" ... your body sees it as "O Wow, We're into a FAMINE. Stop anabolism, create massive amounts of stress hormones to combat this famine!"

As EsourceR stated, there are valid medical reasons to fast - but they do not include removing the daily 'toxins' that most alternative therapies speak of.
 
Fasting CAN be great for the body, if done well and once in a while.

The body gets energy (KiloJoules) from food, but extracting that energy is a complex process that stresses a lot of organs, especially with our normal alimentation.

That stress is manageable for the body, but not necessarly optimal.

Simple proof: you just feel great after a well done fasting / detoxing session. The body doesn't lie.

Short rounds of "fasting" and detoxing are great to give a break to organs that work 365 days a year.

Only if "fasting" = using simple foods for short periods of time. Ex: doing a juice fast (ie: drinking juice of orange+grapefruit+citrux+carrot+spinach+parsley+beets+carrots+apple) 3-4 times a day for a few days. Lack of protein will make you lose some muscle but you WILL get a nice energy buzz, "clean" feeling. Get a lot of nutrients in an easy to absorb way, full of life.

Water fasting - single ingredient fasting (ex: rice or apples) is just idiotic, doesn't make you feel good, lacks a lot of minerals-vitamins, and taxes your body since it will need to get the nutrients from its own tissues.

A simple "fast" to do, and who WILL make you feel good, is a "liquid" fast. Just alternate between organic juices from 8-10 vegetables/fruits+psyllium/flax seeds fiber and shakes (non-dairy) made with high-quality casein (slow digest) protein. You would be amazed at how light and sharp you can feel (and keep this feeling) if you give your system a break and stop eating all solid foods for a while. The body doesn't lie to you.

But plain, empty-stomach or water fasting? Do it to increase your willpower, but know that it WILL hurt your body.
 
How is a juice fast considered 'fasting'? If I were to juice fast, I'd basically be putting my normal diet into a juicer and drinking it. WTF?
 
Coolio said:
How is a juice fast considered 'fasting'? If I were to juice fast, I'd basically be putting my normal diet into a juicer and drinking it. WTF?
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Yes, and essentially your body wouldn't have to 'break down' the foods. If your normal diet were basically what you would put into a juicer, there would be less of a necessity to fast. Certain foods don't assimilate as well, or as quickly. You can retain meats for up to 3 days or better in your system, at which time they putrify at your avg 98.6 body temp.http://www.freshasadaisy.me.uk/colon-hydrotherapy/ http://www.abc.net.au/sa/stories/s991960.htm there is endless information supporting the benefits of fasting, and countless sites on the subject, I am merely answering the OP on this question, based on my experience, and obviously they gave up on the subject, (and considering their other posts, it's apparent thier not so concerned about "healthy living") .
So, that being said, I'm done trying to convey any information further on this topic, and will reserve any further opinions or information to ones own personal persuits. In this day of 'information' it's all there anyway-if you so desire the truth.:| Peace
 
I'm all about the water-only fasting. Great for self-discipline as well as to knock your metabolic balance off whack so you can healthily readjust it afterwards. I think fasting every so often for a couple days is likely great for reducing long-term insulin resistance.
 
masonyoung said:
Yes, and essentially your body wouldn't have to 'break down' the foods. If your normal diet were basically what you would put into a juicer, there would be less of a necessity to fast. Certain foods don't assimilate as well, or as quickly. You can retain meats for up to 3 days or better in your system, at which time they putrify at your avg 98.6 body temp.http://www.freshasadaisy.me.uk/colon-hydrotherapy/ http://www.abc.net.au/sa/stories/s991960.htm there is endless information supporting the benefits of fasting, and countless sites on the subject, I am merely answering the OP on this question, based on my experience, and obviously they gave up on the subject, (and considering their other posts, it's apparent thier not so concerned about "healthy living") .
So, that being said, I'm done trying to convey any information further on this topic, and will reserve any further opinions or information to ones own personal persuits. In this day of 'information' it's all there anyway-if you so desire the truth.:| Peace
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I didnt give up on the subject, its just that most people were replying with their own opinion about fasting, rather than giving me the information that I had requested in the first post

I was looking for people with personal experience with fasting for medical benefits, or who have some knowledge on the subject, I appreciate your reply
 
Aha, I just made my insulin resistance theory up on the spot. I came back to make sure I wasn't spouting complete bullshit, and look at what I found.

http://jap.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/99/6/2128

So if you're worried about losing muscle/organ tissue during a water-only fast, yeah you have a right to be concerned. But I think regulating your insulin resistance is a benefit that outweighs the risk/downside of the starvation.
 
Bump! Good thread.

I've never tried a water fast myself, I personally think juice "feasting" is a better option. You get tons of nutrition in an easy to digest form and you still give your body a break.
 
Digesting large amounts of food that are hard to break down and take a lot of energy to digest. I've been doing a juice fast for 7 days now, and it's been helping me feel a lot better. Then again I have specific reasons for doing it. I am gluten intolerant, and last week some sort of irritant got into my diet somehow (Not sure the source, I added a few new things so its hard to tell).

For me, when I get accidentally "glutened", my entire system becomes inflamed and it's hard for me to digest anything for the next week. Every time I eat any food my stomach becomes bloated and I have a lot of pain.

For me, juice fasting, or eating only fruits, etc. really helps a lot in calming down my intestines and allowing them to heal. I've been working on healing my gut for awhile now and it seems that after every fast I do, I get a little bit better.

Of course, a lot of my progress gets reversed when I accidentally eat gluten and the hell starts all over again. :( But that's the challenge of my life I guess.
 
Digesting food does not take energy. Digestion is a process carried out by enzymes, which are simple organic molecules, not cells or organelles. Energy, measured in kilocalories in the field of nutrition, is not something the human body ever lacks. You have over 100 pounds of muscle, fat, bone, and glycogen to use as an energy source immediately.

Gluten intolerance is caused by intestinal cilia damage by contact with the aggravating protein. Gluten does not accumulate in your body, it's not a 'toxin', and there is nothing you can do to acutely reverse the damage caused by ingestion of gluten.

All a juice fast does is remove dietary fiber from your diet and replace it with fucking sugar water. It's nearly as bad for you as an all-soda diet. If you want your digestive system to recover from a bout of gluten injury, you're going to want to eat MORE FIBER. That means skipping the juice and only eating the skin and flesh of fruit.

There is no 'progress', Deja. Your intestines are a piece of hardware, gluten causes an accumulative damage effect, but there is no gluten left in your body the next day, just the damage.
 
There is no 'progress', Deja. Your intestines are a piece of hardware, gluten causes an accumulative damage effect, but there is no gluten left in your body the next day, just the damage.
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Not at all true. Apparently you've never heard of leaky gut.

Also I have plenty of fiber in my diet. I probably have the highest fiber diet out of anyone I have ever MET. I guess juice fasting isn't the proper term for what the fasts I do, maybe raw food fast is a better word, because it's very high fiber.

I really am getting fed up with bluelight. You can't say anything around here without someone coming at you and trying to start a debate.
 
"Leaky gut syndrome is not generally recognized by conventional physicians, but ..."
 
incredible health benefits? FUCK NO! It will crash your endocrine system thats for sure. Do yourself a favor and consistently consume at least 100g of protein a day. And at least 10-20g of healthy fats a day.
 
I worked with a girl whose doctor put her on a very long, strict fast. It was to get rid of her allergies, which were many. She was allergic to all kinds of metal, lace, etc.. So she went on this fast that lasted a couple months I think. I don't remember exactly but it was something like first she had to cut out all processed whites like sugar, flour, etc.. for a week or two. Then she cut out meats. She could only eat fresh fruit and vegetables and of course water for I think two weeks. Then one week of liquids-only water and *fresh* fruit or vegetable juice. And finally only water for I think 2-4 days I don;t remember exactly. Then she progressed slowly back to eating by starting again with juices, fruits, slowly incorporating more and more foods. It took a long time and it was very hard for her but guess what-it totally worked. She lost all of her allergies
 
Case to case basis I guess. It can be incredibly helpful and beneficial for some, and for others it will be nothing but a crock. But who are we to tell others what is best for THEIR bodies? ;)
 
LoveAlways said:
I worked with a girl whose doctor put her on a very long, strict fast. It was to get rid of her allergies, which were many. She was allergic to all kinds of metal, lace, etc.. So she went on this fast that lasted a couple months I think. I don't remember exactly but it was something like first she had to cut out all processed whites like sugar, flour, etc.. for a week or two. Then she cut out meats. She could only eat fresh fruit and vegetables and of course water for I think two weeks. Then one week of liquids-only water and *fresh* fruit or vegetable juice. And finally only water for I think 2-4 days I don;t remember exactly. Then she progressed slowly back to eating by starting again with juices, fruits, slowly incorporating more and more foods. It took a long time and it was very hard for her but guess what-it totally worked. She lost all of her allergies
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Building up and breaking down a fast is important. It just makes sense to not jump right into it, or overeat when you decide to break the fast. This can take some effort. I always started by eating simpler and simpler foods and then fresh vegetable juices and then going on water for a little while before slowly starting to eat more and more varied solid foods.
 
mariacallas said:
Case to case basis I guess. It can be incredibly helpful and beneficial for some, and for others it will be nothing but a crock. But who are we to tell others what is best for THEIR bodies? ;)
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You don't think people can legitimately inform others about healthy practices with their body? What is this forum for then? 8)
 
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