BALANCE

"Fasting is the greatest remedy - the physician within." - Paracelsus

How can you build a new and improved structure on a dilapidated foundation?

Not that you're old or decrepit but when preparing to build anew, retrofitting in this case, you must do some demo work and get rid of the degraded, broken, useless and oftentimes harmful material that formed the old structure - strip it down to the bare bones foundation and bring in new high quality materials of the highest order. Our bodies are naturally disposing of old cells and creating new ones to replace them every moment.


FAST - to eat sparingly or abstain completely from food.

FASTing is the body's natural way of purging itself of poisons, repairing tissues, purifying the blood and other vital fluids, and regenerating and rebalancing all vital functions. All of the enormous energy and enzyme power that is normally applied to digestive functions in daily life is diverted entirely over to detoxification and healing functions during a FAST. (Reid)




There are several types of fasts we can perform, I typically classify them in the following way: 

• COMPLETE (no food or drink), 
• WATER, 
• JUICE, 
• raw FRUIT 
• raw VEGETABLE
  

 ... each one with its own unique benefits and challenges. A fruit fast for example is going to be an excellent way for an individual with an overly acidic system to expedite/ facilitate the bodies natural detoxification processes and restore balance by increasing alkalinity. The problem with a system that is overly acidic? Well the obvious answer is that there's too much acid in your cells (acidosis) which increases inflammation in your bodily tissues; this creates an ideal environment for disease and illness (immune deficiency, osteoporosis, lethargy, cancer, diabetes) to set in, in addition metabolic function is impacted in a negative way, basically meaning that whether you want to gain or lose weight, you will experience greater difficulty than normal as your body is operating at sub-standard levels. Overly acidic systems decrease the body's ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients, decrease the energy production in the cells, decrease it's ability to repair damaged cells and decrease it's ability to detoxify heavy metals, they also make tumor cells thrive, and make again make the body more susceptible to fatigue and illness.

A quick note on acid alkaline balance and the foods that promote each environment in the body:

1. Foods having an acidic effect on the body include but are not limited to:

• all meats, poultry and fish
• all processed sugars and sweeteners
• all processed (and usually white) grains/ flours
• beer, coffee, and soft drinks

     2.   Foods having an alkalinizing effect on the body include but are not limited to:

• fruits
• green vegetables
• seeds
• beans
• raw apple cider vinegar

All types of fast will give the body opportunity to heal and cleanse itself, some are simply more gentle than others. This brings us to the next topic of CLEANSING REACTIONS which are symptoms that your body exhibits when it has entered a fasting state and has begun to cleanse and purge itself of "toxic waste". Cleansing reactions include but are not limited to:

• headache
• body ache
• boils
• stomach pains
• lethargy

The severity of the cleansing reaction that you experience will vary and is largely dependent on your current level of health and wellness going into the fast. The healthier you are, the less likely you are to experience strong reactions.  In addition, you should always properly prepare for your fast as well as break/end your fast.

 

the Buddah fasting

Wrap up:
Fasting is a natural regenerative and cleansing mechanism built into our physiology, but how does one enter into such an undertaking? After having performed several extended fast (three days or greater) myself ill say not lightly…the body goes through significant changes from the cessation of digestion to the elimination of waste and toxins through the bodies various excretory pathways and then of course resuming digestion with a moderate and wholesome diet. We can say then that there are three major phases of progression when fasting.Next up... a comprehensive breakdown of each step of the fasting process and more!

 

 

Part Deux!

So... How do I FAST?



"The addition of food should be much rarer, since it is often useful to completely take it away while the patient can withstand it, until the force of the disease reaches its maturity. The man carries within him a doctor; you just have to help him do his work. If the body is not cleared, then the more you feed it, the more it will be harmed. When a patient is fed too richly, the disease is fed as well. Remember – any excess is against nature."



The above quote is by the famed healer and father of Western Medicine, Hippocrates.




1. Preparing for the fast - Mental and physical preparation are needed for the fasting period. Proper scheduling of work, recreational activities, and dietary changes are also essential prior to the start of the fast. Dietary changes include reducing portion size, eating a more wholesome and nutritious diet, eliminating sugar and other simple carbs. Preparation for the fast should begin at least one week before your start date.

2. Fasting – During the actual fasting period digestion ceases and your body devotes all its energies to cleansing and healing. Toxins and waste from the deepest reaches of your body are being purged and carried through the blood stream for excretion. During the fast you may experience: aches in the legs, headache, stomach ache, back ache, fatigue, nausea, increased mucous discharge, and/or cold-like symptoms. These symptoms are not your body telling you to eat! They simply represent the foul elements that were hiding inside you and are now being exposed and brought to the surface. This means that the cleansing process is taking place. The severity of your symptoms is an indication of the amount of toxins that are in your body.

3. Breaking the fast - VITALLY IMPORTANT: during this phase food consumption resumes; though the diet should be reflective of the period of preparation for the fast. It is best to start with fresh juices and perhaps a wholesome salad full of leafy, green veggies as well as colorful ones. You may also have fruit if you choose. Your diet following your fast should be one that is moderate, clean, and wholesome.




Note: Throughout this process one should consume at least 64oz of water per day to maintain a well hydrated body and facilitate the removal of toxins from the system

After the break: supplements to consider for detoxification and specific samples of cleansing fasts...

Supplement your fast...

So we know that water is the party starter when it comes to fasting  but conversation doesnt end there. There are an array of supplements available that will augment your fasting experince in various ways depending on what your specific goals are. On the TOOLS page of this blog we will discuss some of the more common supplements to fasting are and why they migh be worth your consideration.