What is 'fasting' and why should you care?
Fasting is the willful act of abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both. Various dictionaries and encyclopedias describe it a little differently, but that's what it boils down to. The length of time for fasting depends entirely on the purpose for fasting or the intended results.
The English word "breakfast", meaning the first meal of the day, actually means to "break" the "fast" caused by sleep. Many people associate it with the morning meal, but a true breakfast can occur at any time of the day and depends on the sleep habits of each individual.
Religious and Spiritual Fasting
Since the dawn of mankind, people have been fasting for religious and spiritual reasons. When fasting for these reasons, it's usually accompanied by prayer. Religious and spiritual fasting can last for periods of up to 40 days.
Religious and spiritual fasting is the type of fasting most people associate the term with, but fasting is accomplished for other reasons as well.
Diet and Weight Loss
Modern research suggests that fasting is a viable alternative to reducing caloric intake. Studies on mice show that fasting for a day between two days of normal consumption is more effective than attempting to control what's consumed.
Clinical trials with humans confirm that fasting in this manner can lead to improved insulin and blood sugar levels, as well as numerous other health benefits.
Medical Fasting
Medical fasting is a 20th century method of setting a baseline for medical tests that need to be performed during or prior to a patient examination. These fasting periods can last from 8 to 24 hours.
Food is normally restricted for medical fasting, with liquids being constrained to water, unsweetened black coffee and unsweetened tea. Particular tests may require additional or different restrictions.
Other Health Benefits
Research suggests that the benefits of fasting can result in resistance to injury, prolonged lifespan, reduced risk of cancer, stress resistance and (of course) weight loss. Some research suggests that some diseases can actually be cured by water fasting.
Fasting should never be attempted by an individual who isn't eating nourishing foods on a daily basis. Doing so can actually cause health problems instead of benefits. As with any lifestyle change, fasting should start out with short periods of time and gradually increase to longer periods.
If you have any special health needs, consult a doctor before starting any regular fasting regimen.
Testimonials
An amazing story of fasting for other than religious and spiritual reasons is provided by Bernarr MacFadden. You can read his story of "A Seven-Day Fast. An Experience Of One Of The Authors".
You may also want to consider reading "Jim's Story: From Near-Death to Amazing Health in One Week". If the story is based on facts, it truly is an amazing story.
I have completed periods of 24-hour fasting many times myself, but I've never experienced any significant physiological changes. Of course, I don't have any unusual medical conditions that may or may not benefit from it. Well, I have one. I seriously doubt that fasting would have any beneficial effect on it, but I'm willing to give it a try.
As soon as I'm prepared, I'll be starting on 7 single-day fasts leading up to a single 7-day fast. I'm doing is as a test of theories and to prove people either wrong or right. Do you think I'll be successful? Do you think I'll suffer any ill effects? I certainly hope not.
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I think you can do the 24 hour fasts. I'm not so sure about a 7 day one. Just saying. I think you need to stay hydrated though. No food is one thing, but no water is quite another. Will watch your progress with great interest.
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Actually, under the supervision of a now deceased doctor in Buffalo New York in the late 70's, I went on a Dr Supervised 19 day water fast to cure me of my extreme allergies. I am pleased to say it worked. I have not had allergy symptoms since. Interesting R – very interesting. I will be watching with EAGER anticipation!
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I think meals are very important, especially breakfast, and skipping meals can have a harmful effect on health over time. I'm sure I read some doctor writing something similar, so I doubt whether even the medical fraternity is totally convinced either way about the benefits of fasting.
We do need the nutrients and the energy on a daily basis to be healthy.
I don't believe in fasting myself except when you're really ill and medical reasons exist for non-intake of solid food.
I think even when you miss eating solid food, it's important to keep the body hydrated and allow the digestive system to function properly and pass motions easily and routinely.
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Well, I plan to water fast, meaning water intake only. I've done it a few times before, but not on a regular schedule and not for any specific purpose.
What I really want to find out is what effects it will have on me. I really don't have anything to prove and proving anything (if only to myself) will be a plus.
Hi, this is a great idea. I have done two types of fasts – religious fasts between sunrise and sunset and 24 hour fasts.
The idea of limiting intake during certain hours of the day for 28-35 days seems to work best for me. You know you have to eat a healthy breakfast beforehand, drink plenty of fluids, and then fast for 6-12 hours (depending on the time of year). Then at sunset, you can eat again, but you will be more inclined to eat healthy foods again, because you know that you will have to keep your strength up for days or weeks to come.
Good luck, and I look forward to hearing your results!
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In the context of religion, fasting is a way of sacrifice to show your love for God who also fasted for 40 days & 40 nights but today, a lot of people misunderstood fasting as a way to go dieting. Diet and fasting are two different beasts. Diet doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself of the food esp. those that you love. diet means to balance everything. Fasting is without food nor water & a sign of a devotion, be it religious or anything. I even know a guy who wants to know how to get rid of man boobs (Gynecomastia) & he used fasting for it! What a numb!
It'll be interesting to see your results. I agree with Hari and I'm not a believer of water fasts, especially for prolonged periods of time.
As an acupuncturist, I focus on the energy systems of the body and think that fasts can throw the body off balance, unless one's mental attitude is very very strong. I do believe in fresh vegetable juice fasts because you still get the pure nutrients from the veggies in liquid form (strained so you're not getting the pulp) to stay hydrated. This type of fast is highly effective because it allows your body to cleanse itself in an appropriate way and thus, there tends to be more of a physiological effect than with a water fast. Your cells and tissues get the nutrients in a bio-available form and thus, push out the unwanted "stuff."
As for fasting for weight loss? I think it just makes the body work harder and can actually hurt the systems. Acupuncture, on the other hand, helps the body work better by strengthening from within, finds out why one's digestive system is in disharmony, slows cravings, and brings everything back into balance. Just my 2 cents!
Good luck with your "research!"
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I've heard of fasting for health reasons, but I haven't looked into it very much. I know calorie restriction with adequate or optimal nutrition is known to enhance health and longevity. I wonder if periodic fasting triggers the same metabolic pathways.
On the other hand, I know it's a very bad idea to skip meals or even go too long between meals. It causes swings in blood glucose levels and increases insulin production, which lowers metabolism and causes the body to store fat more efficiently and age faster. Now I'm curious. I'll have to see if there's any legitimate medical research on the health effects of fasting.
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Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life.
Perhaps fasting can be very beneficial and useful for the health but things go worse when someone is diabetic. I am diabetic and I think I can't keep even a single fast. It is not possible to take diabetes medicine/insulin and to keep the fast. I shall be finding some benefits for diabetic patients though.
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Meditation and fasting are so good to do that they are not explainable. I was not one of those who would be doing them but I have changed my lifestyle almost 5 years ago. I am feeling so blessed and wonderful.
Very nice suggestion for be health, thanks a lot of them.
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I regularly fast to cleanse my body and it relieves my headaches amongst other beneficial results. Before you start, it is important to do a pre-fast where you only take in raw vegetables, fruit and juice. If you don't pre-fast correctly, the eliminatory organs may be injured by the stress of rapid cleansing. I would advice first timers to seek some guidance and not just fast on your own.
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Well, I personally do not believe in water only fasts, just those that involve drinking juice. I've tried a full water fast and found it nearly impossible. I was so hungry I could barely function and get through the day!
I found that meditation retreats were great opportunities to do a fast. Aside from being a great place to watch my reactions to fasting, and having fewer food-related inputs to my senses, I sometimes would do a course and not even WANT to eat for days at a time.
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I personally have never fasted though I have a friend that does so for religious purposes, and she says that she also receives some of the benefits that you mentioned. But now after reading your blog I think I might try it myself too. Thank you for taking the time to share this information with us!
fasting actually is more for spiritual purposes.but of course,weight loss will come naturally due to inactivity of food consuming
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I have to say – this is one of those examples of finding something that "works" for you…
I know for me, this would be a disaster – I found the simple act of cutting out carbs on a zero-carb diet made me a grumpy MESS! So cutting everything out altogether would be awful for me!
But my hat's off to you – I hope it works out… looking forward to the follow-up!
– Tina!
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Try the two day fasting – First day all fruits (no bananas) and second day all vegetables. Drink plenty of water – you will see a lot of difference!
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Hi
I would say that a 3 day fast can be done by anyone who is well, if it is a juice fast; ie juice and water only is drunk. Drink about 2-3 litres of juice and as much water as you like. You can repeat 10 days later if you like. More than this and you'd best have the support of a naturopathic practitioner.
A fast with just water is stronger and so requires more support. If the juice is too much, then try a fast just on fruit and salads and herb tea for 3 days.
All the best
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As the pace of life increases and we find ourselves leading ever busier lives so we are not caring our physical and mental health so that we are all now suffering from varying degrees of stress. So to relieve from the stress we are moving to the ancient practice of meditation.
"As soon as I'm prepared, I'll be starting on 7 single-day fasts leading up to a single 7-day fast."
RT – did you ever do the fasting, in particular the 7 day?
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I did the single-day fasting several times, but I have yet to attempt the 7-day fast. This is one attempt I may never make.