A fast has many other therapeutic benefits as well. It can help you heal with greater speed; purify your blood; cleanse your liver, kidneys, and colon; help you lose excess weight and water; flush out toxins; clear the eyes and tongue; and cleanse the breath. It is recommended by experts that you fast at least three days a month, and follow it with a ten-day fast at least twice a year. Start slow, maybe try it one day a month and then work up to three.
The duration of the fast plays a role in what the body accomplishes. A three-day fast helps the body rid itself of toxins and cleanses the blood. A five-day fast begins the process of healing and rebuilding the immune system. A ten-day fast can take care of many problems before they arise and help to fight off illness, including the degenerative diseases that have become all too common in our chemically polluted environment.
Precautions To Be Aware Of
Certain precautions should be taken during the period of a fast. First, do not fast on water alone. It is too much of a shock to the body to do this. An all-water fast releases toxins too quickly, causing headaches and often times even worse symptoms. Instead, follow the live-juice diet explained below, as this both removes toxins as well as promotes healing by supplying the body with vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Such a fast is also more likely to lead to a continued healthy diet once the fast is over, as it will accustom you to the taste of raw vegetables and the vitality that this diet promotes. Second, whenever you fast for a period that exceeds three days, do so only under the supervision of a qualified health care professional. If you have diabetes, hypoglycemia, or another chronic health problem, even short fasts should be supervised by a health care provider. Pregnant and lactating women should NEVER fast! NEVER!!
Just keep something important in mind- it took years to wear your body down, and it will take time to build it back up to its peak condition. But trust that it can be done. Then, whenever you begin to feel unwell, fast and get back on the path to wellness.