What is Fasting?
Fasting is primarily the act of voluntarily abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both for a period of time. The word id derives from Old English, 'feastan' meaning to fast, observe, harden. 'Vrat' in Sanskrit means 'determination' and 'fast' means 'closer to God'. - Can be paused. Fasting is an important healing method for health preservation. Mental preparation is a necessary precondition in fasting. Prolonged fasting should be done only under the supervision of a competent naturopath.
The duration of fasting depends on the age of the patient, the nature of the disease and the amount and type of drugs used previously. It is sometimes advisable to start a series of short fasts of two or three days and gradually increase the duration of each successful fast by one day. No harm will be done to the fasting patient provided they are rested and under proper professional care.
Fasting can be with water, juice or raw vegetable juices. The best, safest and most effective method is lemon juice fasting. During fasting, the body burns and expels the accumulated waste in huge quantities. We can help with this cleansing process by drinking alkaline juices. The sugar in the juice will strengthen the heart, so juice fasting is the best way to fast. All juices should be prepared from fresh fruits just before drinking. Canned or frozen juice should not be used. A precautionary measure, which should be observed in all cases of fasting, is the complete emptying of the intestines at the beginning of the fast by enema so that the patient is not disturbed by gas or rotting from excreta remaining in the body. Enema should be used at least every other day during fasting. Total fluid intake should be around six to eight glasses. A lot of energy is spent during fasting in the process of eliminating accumulated poisons and toxic wastes. Therefore, it is extremely important that the patient gets as much physical rest and mental relaxation as possible during the fast.
The success of the fast largely depends on how it is broken. The main rules for breaking the fast are: do not overeat, eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly and take several days for gradual changes to the usual diet.
Types of Fast
- Morning Fast
- Evening Fast
- Fast by taking one thing at a time
- Fast on juice
- Fast on fruits and vegetables
- Fast on Milk
- Fast on Buttermilk
- Complete Fast
- Weekly Fast
- Short Fast
- Strict Fast
- Broken Fast
- Long Fast
Benefits and physical effects of fasting
Healers in most cultures, throughout history, have recommended extended fasting as a form of therapy for a variety of conditions, from ancient to modern. Although earlier observations were studied without scientific method or understanding, they point to the use of fasting as a therapeutic method. Earlier observations were based on animal behavior but today they are based on animal physiology. In this article we will try to understand how fasting can best be useful in promoting people's health through a review of the literature describing the physiological and metabolic benefits.
Prominent among the physiological effects conferred by fasting (calorie restriction and intermittent fasting) are the following: increased insulin sensitivity resulting in reduced plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and improved glucose tolerance, reduced levels of oxidative stress As indicated by a reduction in oxidative damage to proteins. Increased resistance to a variety of stresses, including lipid and DNA, heat, oxidative and metabolic stress, and enhanced immune function.
Both gross and cellular physiology are profoundly affected by caloric restriction (CR) or intermittent fasting (IF) regimes. With regard to gross physiology, there is of course a significant reduction in body fat and mass, which supports a healthy cardiovascular system and reduces the incidence of myocardial infarction. In addition to cardio protection, greater tolerance to stress is induced in the liver, which is a nutrient of Homo sapiens. The presence of alternative energy stores such as ketone bodies (eg β-hydroxybutyrate) enables Homo sapiens to survive the additional stresses of life. Excessive and harmful blood glucose is reduced by insulin(ins) and increased sensitivity to glucose and its use as an energy source.
0 Comments