Body Cleansing Fasts
A body cleansing fast consists of restricting solid food consumption in order for the body to rid itself of the impurities and toxins accumulated in the blood and in the digestive tract. A fast may last only one day, or it may extend to multiple days. Many body cleansing fasts allow some type of nutritional drink during the fasting process, and all fasts encourage drinking plenty of purified water.
History
Originally, fasting was associated with penance for sins or for aligning one's spirit with her religious beliefs. Pagan religions incorporated fasting into their fertility rites, and some Native American tribes fasted to prevent disasters and stave off bad luck. Eventually, as people finished their fasts and felt physically energized, fasting became a method of cleansing one's body and speeding up a sluggish metabolism.
Physiology
The colon is the target of many body-cleansing fasts since it offers the route by which waste matter is expelled from the body. Advocates of cleansing fasts believe that the colon harbors toxins from the daily consumption of highly processed foods and that some of those toxins are absorbed through the colon back into the body. In addition, the liver removes toxins from the bloodstream, and fasting gives the organ a chance to catch up before the person begins eating again.
Methods
A total fast eliminates the consumption of everything but water. Most alternative health practitioners who advocate a total fast recommend that it last between 1 to 3 days. It shouldn't last longer than seven days. A more common body cleansing fast allows the consumption of nutrition-packed juices, making it easier for the person to stay on the fast. Some fasts recommend additional methods of increasing the cleansing effect, such as the use of laxatives or colonics.
Juicing
A popular body cleansing fast involves juicing organic fresh fruits and vegetables to remove the pulp and fiber and allow only the concentrated nutrients in a liquid form. High-powered juicers with metal blades chop the vegetables and press out the liquid. This provides a highly concentrated juice that may be diluted with water. You can see our Resources section for additional information.
Additional
Because a body cleansing fast is supposed to detoxify your blood and intestinal system, some advocates recommend undergoing colonic irrigation during the fast to encourage the removal of fecal waste that lines the wall of the large intestine.
Afterwards
Alternative health practitioners suggest ending a body cleansing fast by consuming only fresh fruits and vegetables for a day or two. While the benefits of a fast are not backed by medical science, many advocates testify to feeling more energetic and experiencing higher mental acuity after a fast.
Warning
Consult your doctor before embarking upon a total fast that lasts longer than two days or a juice fast that lasts longer than three days. If you have blood sugar problems, fasting may not be safe for you.
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