The Miracle Of Fasting (Part 1)
- From: rpautrey2 <rpautrey2@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 12:11:20 -0700 (PDT)
NaturalNews.com
Originally published October 1 2008
The Miracle of Fasting (Part 1) - Your First 36-Hour Fast
by Neil McLaughlin
(NaturalNews) Despite the luxuries of the modern world and the
perceived abundance of food, the human body is much the same as it was
10,000 generations ago. During that time, known as the Paleolithic
Period, humans did not have welfare, food stamps or discount grocers.
As a result, men and women did not eat nearly as regularly as we do
now, and on average about one day per week they would go without any
food at all. Obesity was unheard of as anyone who managed to become
overweight was quickly devoured by wild predators due to their
sluggishness. During this period (which covers Pliocene and the
Pleistocene epochs) our bodies developed powerful detoxification
methods that were triggered by the rhythm of food consumption of the
era. Nearly 99% of humans existence was during this period. The last
two centuries of the Industrial Revolution are a mere instant compared
to our entire history on Earth, which is not nearly enough time to
evolve or even adjust to our modern diets of processed food.
Just what is Fasting?
Deliberately ceasing to ingest food is called fasting and has been
used throughout history by both people and animals to restore and
maintain optimal health. Animals that become ill instinctively know to
heal themselves properly by resting near a source of clean water and
refraining from eating. For this reason your veterinarian will often
ask whether your pet has been eating when trying to diagnose an
illness. You may also have noticed that when you are very ill you lose
your appetite. This was your body forcing you to fast against your
will, but it should never come to that point.
When living creatures stop eating, they reserve energy normally used
for digestion and they experience the miracle of fasting. Many dismiss
fasting and say "but I can't go without food... I need my nutrition".
Ironically those who use this as an excuse are usually munching away
on a fast food burger that not only provides zero nutrition, but
actually taxes the body of energy for digestion and strips away
nutrients while leaving toxic residues. While humans can only go a few
minutes without oxygen and a few days without water, we can go up to
70 days without food! In fact, a 30 or 40 day fast is considered by
many to be the key to physical and spiritual enlightenment.
While our bodies are extremely efficient and store most substances
"for a rainy day", there are many unnatural and unfortunate toxins in
our environment that should not be stored, and the only way to release
many of them is through fasting. The enzymes in our blood are normally
preoccupied with digestion, however after we go for 24 hours without
food digestion ceases and detoxification begins. Those same enzymes
(never wanting to take a break) move from the gut into the bloodstream
where they immediately begin purifying the body, neutralizing toxins,
dissolving cysts, destroying cancer cells and releasing stored toxins
from cells where they are eliminated from the body
During a fast, the level of toxins in the bloodstream can increase by
as much as 1000%, meaning uncomfortable symptoms such as headaches may
occur. In general, during a fast, the worse you feel the more it is
working, because these unnatural substances take their toll one way or
another, whether via a slow time-release or a quick purge. Subsequent
fasts will feature less uncomfortable symptoms as our bodies have less
accumulated toxins.
If you have never fasted, chances are there are substances in your
body that have been there your entire life and which do not belong
there. Thus, the first fast is the toughest.
In a nutshell, fasting means you cease ingestion while continuing (or
increasing) excretion, resulting in a net reduction in toxins. There
are a handful of essential products that will assist the
detoxification process and reduce some of the uncomfortable symptoms.
If you tend to have excess mucous and allergies, you will likely find
your sinuses totally clear by day 2 of the fast (however the symptoms
are typically worse during the first day as the toxins are being
released in higher than normal quantities).
Types of Fasts
1) Total fast – A total fast means not consuming any food or water.
While it may be that when we become severely dehydrated our cells are
able to squeeze out toxins that would otherwise remain in the water
(and thus in the cells), and while plants often bounce back stronger
after they are dehydrated, pure fasting is generally not recommended
as water is essential to eliminate toxins.
2) Water fast – A water fast means consuming only water. While safer
than total fasting, there are some beneficial substances that are
alright to consume during a fast so this fast is also not recommended,
especially for beginners.
3) Juice fast - A juice fast means consuming only liquids like freshly
squeezed juice, with no solid foods. You must also refrain from
consuming any caffeine, nicotine, alcohol or prescription drugs. This
is the most common type of fasting and the one we will explore in this
article.
Next we'll explore the five key substances that you should have in
stock to support periodic fasting.
Top Five Fasting Products
1) Distilled Water - (H20)
Distilled water is pure, condensed steam, as nature intended. While
spring water companies pretend that non-distilled water contains
essential minerals, the reality is that humans do not absorb required
minerals from water. Only chelated minerals (produced by vegetables)
can be absorbed. Reverse osmosis is the next purest form of water.
2) Bentonite Clay - Aluminium Phyllosilicate (Montmorillonite)
Bentonite clay (available in two forms called sodium bentonite and
calcium bentonite) is a form of volcanic ash that is a natural
adsorbent and which has the remarkable ability to physically remove 25
times its weight in impurities from the body, including mercury,
viruses and pesticide residues. Bentonite contains high levels of
Iron, Magnesium and Silicon. Bentonite has laxative action and is also
used in cement, ceramics, acne medication, cat litter, and to clarify
white wine.
3) Psyllium (seed husks) – Plantago spp. (Plantaginaceae)
Psyllium seeds husks, available in powdered or capsule form, contain
fiber along with the amazing ability to absorb massive amounts of
water. One teaspoon of psyllium, when added to a ½ cup of water will
create a mixture that becomes so thick within the first minute that it
is the consistency of pudding. Psyllium acts as a laxative and
provides soothing moisture to areas that are commonly chapped due to
digestive acids. For this reason it is used to treat stomach ulcers
and hemorrhoids.
4) Milk Thistle (seed) - Silybum marianum (Compositae)
Milk thistle is a flower whose seeds offer the antioxidant Silymarin,
one of the most powerful liver tonics available. It is so potent that
it serves as the antidote to poison Death Cap mushrooms, one of the
most deadly natural substances known and one that would otherwise
cause death within 24 hours. Milk thistle is used to treat cirrhosis
of the liver and even promotes healing in those who continue to drink
alcohol. It also promotes lactation and is a natural antidepressant.
5) Cascara Sagrada (bark) - Rhamnus purshiana (Rhamnacea)
Cascara Sagrada (or "sacred bark") is one of the only safe herbal
laxatives besides psyllium. Used for over 1000 years, Cascara Sagrada
bark promotes peristaltic action within 12 hours (the rule of thumb
being "take in the PM for an AM BM [Bowel Movement]). Normally when we
ingest meals the current meal helps move out the previous meals.
However, during a fast it is essential to assist the elimination
process in order to effectively remove the large amount of impurities
that are trying to make a simultaneous exit.
Instructions for your first (36 hour) Fast
* On a weeknight of your choice, consume a vegetarian meal as your
final meal. Popcorn is a good final snack to have before the fast.
Consuming meat or dairy as the final meal will complicate the fasting
process due to the high content of protein and possibly dangerous
substances like sodium nitrate. Note, your first fast should occur on
a non-work day as you will likely not feel so well.
* For the entire next day, from sunset to bedtime, consume only
freshly squeezed (non bottled) juice, along with the substances listed
above (see labels for correct amounts to consume). Drink a big glass
of (1 Tbsp) Psyllium with (1 Tbsp) Bentonite Clay and water, and an
hour later take any other herbs that are part of your fast. Taking
them together is less effective since one removes the other. You will
feel hungry and may eat out of habit so be careful. Getting to sleep
that night can be tricky.
* On the morning after your first full day without food, enjoy a
healthy vegetarian "break" fast. Again, you may be surprised to find
that by the 36 hour point you are no longer hungry and you will have
increased energy. For this reason you may decide to go longer periods
as you gain experience with fasting.
For more information about fasting along with some herbs that help
alleviate the symptoms of detoxification, please see the sequel to
this article: The Miracle of Fasting Part 2: (Reducing Discomfort).
Note: although fasting is generally extremely safe, if you have
medical problems or are taking medication you should consult your
doctor first.
References:
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants by Doris Kindersley, A practical
reference guide to over 550 Key Herbs & their Medicinal Uses.
About the author
Neil McLaughlin is a computer scientist specializing in 3d graphics
and simulation. He can be reached at naturalnews461 (at) yahoo (dot)
com.
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