FASTING—EFFECTS ON THE BODY
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Carmie Jones, ND 

(Most of the information is taken from materials by Joel Robbins, DC, ND, MD and Paavo O. Airola, ND)

Q:  First of all, how can abstaining from food promote greater spiritual understanding and a closer walk with the Lord?

A:  Fasting (denying our taste buds and cravings) is the greatest exercise in self-control!  Flexing and exercising  these “muscles” of godly character spills over to all areas of self-control.  On a physical level, fasting gives the digestive tract a rest.  Digestion requires a great deal of energy from the body.  By resting the digestive tract, these energies may be used by the body elsewhere, including the brain.  Most people report having much greater mental clarity, a better mental outlook, and emotional serenity when fasting.

Q:  Is fasting safe for the body?

A:  Yes, but certain details should be taken into consideration.  21^st century Americans are very toxic.  We do not eat the simple whole foods that were eaten in Bible times.  Our food is highly processed and loaded with synthetic chemical additives of every imaginable kind!  We consume coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages.  We smoke cigarettes, cigars and pipes.  We are also full of synthetic chemical medications and synthetic coal tar derived supplements.  On top of this, we breathe polluted air and drink highly chemicalized water (both well water and city water).  Fasting brings on rapid cleansing of these toxins out of our tissues.  Until these toxins are eliminated from the body, they can have some negative effects if the dumping happens faster than the elimination.  It is for this reason that modern Americans need to take a few simple precautions when fasting.

Q:  Can anyone safely fast?

A: Most everyone can safely do a short fast of one or two days.  (Pregnant women and nursing mothers, young children and the elderly, those with blood sugar problems and those with serious illnesses should read the questions concerning them.)  Fasts of longer duration might require some special attention.  (See later questions regarding extended fasts.)

Q:  I am pregnant or nursing.  Can I fast?

A:  Water only fasting is NOT recommended during these times.  The growing baby requires a great deal of nutrition for normal growth and development.  Also, water only fasting is not recommended at this time because of the rapid detoxification that is brought on.  This is not a good time for all of these toxins to be circulating in the body since they will be carried to the baby.  Short JUICE fasts can be very beneficial, though.  Freshly extracted (not bottled or frozen) fruit or vegetable juices provide great nutrition to the mother and baby.  And the cleansing during a juice fast is much slower and gentler.  (See later questions on juice fasting.)

Q:  I have unstable blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia, disinsulinism, or diabetes).  How can I safely fast?

A:  Strict water fasting is not recommended in the beginning.  A juice fast—sipping on freshly extracted fruit or vegetable juices throughout the day—will help to maintain even blood sugar levels and help to promote healing.  Once true healing has taken place, a water fast may then be considered.  Even Type I diabetics usually receive benefits from a juice fast and often are able to reduce the amount of insulin required.  All diabetics should carefully monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their medications as needed.  Working with a health practitioner who is knowledgeable and experienced in working with diabetics during fasting can be very helpful and reassuring.

Q:  I have cancer.  Can I fast?

A:  If one has cancer, it is an indication that the immune system is in poor shape.  Water fasting should not be undertaken until the immune system has been built up.  Juice fasting is very nourishing and could be done.

Q:  I have some other illness.  Can I fast?

A:  Fasting is very beneficial, bringing on rapid detoxification and healing of the body.  Extended fasts require some special attention.  See later questions on extended fasts.

Q:  I am over 50 years old and eat the normal toxic American diet.  Can I fast?

A:  Water fasting is not recommended.  But juice fasts of short duration can provide a great deal of nutrition as the body cleanses slowly and gently.

Q:  Can infants and children fast safely?

A:  There should be no reason for infants or young children to be fasting.  They have no understanding of the spiritual benefits of fasting and their rapidly growing bodies require a great deal of nutrition.  (An ill child would benefit from juice fasting, giving the body rest from digestion to divert its energies to healing, while providing much nutrition for healing.)  Older children and teens that understand and desire the spiritual benefits of fasting may safely juice fast.  An older teen could do short water fasts.

Q:  Should I take supplements while fasting?

A:  Supplements, other than freshly extracted juices, burden the resting digestive tract.  And if they aren’t 100% plant foods (only a rare few truly are), they only add to the toxicity of the body.

Q:  Should I continue to take my medications while fasting?

A:  Medications should never be abruptly stopped without a doctor’s Ok and supervision.  But most people find that after a few days of fasting they can begin reducing the amounts of medication required and may even be able to eliminate them entirely.

Q:  I would like to extend my fast beyond one or two days.  Should I be medically supervised?

A:  It is recommended that there is supervision by a medical professional that is knowledgeable and experienced in fasting if the one fasting falls into any of the categories already addressed in previous questions, or if the faster is inexperienced and insecure concerning the safety of fasting.

Q:  As a toxic American, what can I expect to experience during extended fasting?

A:  Be aware that during rapid detoxification, many symptoms may occur, such as:  light headedness, dizziness, headache, nausea, skin rash, weakness, coated tongue, foul breath and body odor.  Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward to the body!  Getting these poisons out is a GOOD thing.  But if detoxification becomes too uncomfortable to function, you can slow the process by eating a little bit of cooked food.  Also, increasing the intake of water is important, as well as extra rest.  Clear water enemas morning and evening speed up the elimination of the released toxins and can greatly alleviate the symptoms.

Q:  How long can I safely water fast (only clean water consumed)?

A:  This depends on the individual.

• People with little body fat cannot fast as long as someone with more fat.  Fat is what the body will use to convert to glucose for cell fuel in the absence of food that would normally be converted to glucose.  Once the fat stores are used up, the body will begin to burn protein.  The fast MUST be stopped before this happens or damage to the body can begin to happen.
• It also depends on the toxicity level of the body.  A very toxic body can overtax the liver and cause it to shut down.
• A person whose electrolytes and other nutrient levels are low should not water fast, but rather build up the nutrition levels in the body first with a raw vegetarian diet or a juice fast.  Then, a water fast can be done.

Tests can be done to monitor these various things, letting the faster know when it is time to break the fast.

Q:  How long can I juice fast (consuming only freshly made fruit and vegetable juices, sipping slowly throughout the entire day, melon, and clean water—no other food or liquids)?

A:  If the juice is freshly extracted daily from fresh fruits and vegetables, and if several quarts of juice are drunk each day, the body will be receiving all of the nutrition it needs, including glucose for energy, vitamins and minerals, all of the amino acids for building protein and all of the essential fatty acids.  Many people that cannot chew or digest food properly live on liquid diets.  THIS liquid is truly nourishing, as opposed to such things as coffee, milk shakes, salty broths, etc.  So as long as one is emotionally comfortable with the safety of a juice fast, they can choose to fast for a very long time.

Q:  Do I need to prepare in any way for fasting?

A:  It is much easier on the system if several days to a week before the fast some dietary changes are made.  A very toxic person would benefit from the longest time.

• For a few days, it is usually recommended to remove all animal products from the diet (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy) and all greasy and fried foods, as well as to start cutting back on stimulants such as coffee, black tea, chocolate, soda pop, protein shakes and bars.
• Then the next day or two it is suggested to additionally remove all but fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds, cutting back more on the stimulants.
• The day before the fast begins, only uncooked fruits and vegetables are recommended, cutting out all stimulants, if possible.  (Several days into the fast, the cravings for the stimulants will begin to subside and even start going away.  The stimulants will begin to become repulsive.)

Q:  Are there any special considerations when breaking a fast?

A:  Yes.  A fast allows the digestive tract to rest.  It must be “reawakened” gently, like a newborn infant that only receives colostrum the first couple of days of life in order to “train” the digestive tract to receive and handle food.  Reintroduce food slowly, beginning with only a small amount of the easiest to digest food—fresh fruit.  The next day more fruit can be eaten plus a green salad.  Grains, nuts and seeds can be added the third day.

Q:  What will happen if I just dig in and eat as I choose before the fast begins and then when breaking the fast?

A:  Not preparing to fast can bring on very severe detoxification symptoms in a toxic person.  And everyone seems to agree that abruptly breaking a fast can undo all of the good that was accomplished by the fast and maybe even cause some harm.  Consider the days preparing for the fast and then breaking the fast as part of the fasting experience.  Preparing for the fast begins the “flexing” of those self-control muscles, giving them greater strength for the fast itself.  Breaking the fast slowly, when one desires to just gorge oneself, is another exercise in great godly character.  When Jesus was hungry at the end of His 40 day fast in the wilderness and tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread (Matthew 4:3), it probably made His stomach cry out for it.  But even after 40 long days with no food, he exercised self-control and waited for the appropriate food at the appropriate time.  Let’s follow His example!

Q:  Where can I get more information about fasting?

A:  There are many good books in health food stores on fasting.  I most prefer Dr. Joel Robbins materials on fasting, including his set of audiocassette tapes called Fasting, and his book, Juicing for Health.  Both are available from us.