Healthy Living Principle: Do not ignore symptoms…don't be presumptuous regarding your health. If you are experiencing symptoms of illness; have been diagnosed with a disease process; if you are pregnant, nursing or desiring to become pregnant, you should consult with the healthcare provider of your choice before embarking upon any new health regimen.
Ron and I are frequently asked about the practice of fasting.
"Why should I fast?"
"Is it healthy for me to fast?"
"How long should I fast?"
"Do I have to do without any nutritional support or hydration?"
"What types of fasts are there?"
"Can I get sick from fasting?"
And the questions keep coming!
First, let's define the word, "fast." Fast can either be a noun or a verb. As a verb, Encarta Dictionary defines fast as: "to abstain from food, or some types of food, especially as an act of religious observance." As a noun, it defines fast as: "a period of time spent abstaining from food."
The Greek word for fasting is nesteia. Nesteia is a compound of ne (a negative prefix indicating "no" or "not") and esthio which means "to eat." Therefore, the basic meaning of fast or fasting is to not eat!
There are several reasons for fasting:
Spiritually
1. Biblical fasting will enable you to develop a deeper level of communication (prayer) with God.
2. It will empower you to achieve a more intimate relationship with God.
3. You will grow in the Fruit of the Spirit in regards to self-control.
Physically
4. Cleanse and detox your body.
5. Anti-aging benefit (both internally and externally).
6. Facilitate weight loss.
7. You gain control over your body's impulses, cravings, and binges!
There are three types of fasting:
1. Abstinence
a. No food; but, water may be consumed.
b. As a rule, this fast should not exceed three days.
2. Partial
a. This fast does not require total abstinence from food; but, may restrict certain aspects of the diet. For example, juices or protein drinks may be included.
3. Absolute
a. This fast is also known as a "radical" fast. In this fast no food or drink is consumed.
Health Benefits of Fasting:
1. Opportunity for the digestive system to rest and restore.
2. Opportunity for the liver to rest and restore.
3. Opportunity for the immune and lymphatic systems to rest and restore.
4. Powerful method to cleanse and detoxify the body.
5. An aid in preventing and/or lessening disease processes.
a. Fasting is recommended for colds and flu and other inflammatory processes such as: arthritis; rheumatism; fibromyalgia; colitis; irritable bowel syndrome; etc.
6. It is God's way of enabling our body to rest, cleanse, detoxify and heal!
Detoxification Symptoms of Fasting:
Remember the Healthy Living Principle as outlined at the top of this article!
1. Neurological symptoms include:
a. Headaches
b. Dizziness
c. Vertigo
d. Wooziness
e. Lightheadedness
f. Fainting
2. Eye, Ear, Nose, & Throat symptoms include:
a. Itching, watery and red, irritated eyes
b. Sneezing
c. Runny or stuffy nose
d. Irritated throat from post-nasal drip
3. Respiratory symptoms include:
a. Lung congestion
b. Wheezing
c. Phlegm
4. Integumentary symptoms include:
a. Rashes
b. Acne
c. Pustules
d. Excessive and/or abnormal sweating
e. Increased and/or excessive body odors
5. Digestive symptoms include:
a. Sour or nervous stomach
b. Stomach ache and/or cramping
c. Bloating and/or increased gas (upper and lower)
d. Bad breath
i. Liver: Sore eyes; bitter taste in mouth; yellowish complexion; pain and/or distension under the ribs on the right side
ii. Gall Bladder: Colic; spasm; tenderness or pain in the liver area
iii. Intestines: Foul smelling gas; cramping; diarrhea; spastic colon or irritable bowel
6. Renal symptoms include:
a. Low back pain and/or weakness
b. Fatigue
c. Frequent and/or urgent urination
d. Darker colored and/or strong-smelling urine
Guide to Successful Fasting:
Do not jump into a fasting regimen…going from a diet laden with too many fats, carbs and/or proteins is a recipe for disaster! Below are tips for successful fasting:
1. Work your way into fasting slowly. Do not eliminate all food and/or hydration why you first start a fasting regimen. It is important to remember that going from full-fledged meals to no type of nutritional support can have miserable results, such as: severe hunger pains and massive detoxification symptoms (see above: Detoxification Symptoms of Fasting).
a. Start with a partial fast to ensure success. It may include fruits and veggies and may be less than 24-hours in duration.
2. Choose a day that is not over-laden with activities and engagements.
3. Have an accountability partner. Share with this person your desire to fast and how you plan to fast.
4. Approximately 1 week before your planned fast, begin to reduce your intake of sugar, fats and caffeine.
a. Caffeine withdrawal can cause severe headaches including migraines.
5. Do not eat more food the day before a fast to "store up energy" for the fast. This DOESN'T work! Eat your last meal no later than 8pm the night before your planned fast.
a. It is best to not eat or only consume a light snack approximately 2-hours before bed.
6. The day of your fast, drink plenty of water.
a. Formula for water consumption:
i. Half your body weight in ounces daily.
b. Recommend distilled water while fasting.
i. Distilled water flushes out inorganic minerals and pollutants which are retained in the body and accumulate in vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, and intestines.
7. Breaking the fast is critical. DO NOT EAT A FULL-COURSE MEAL initially-you may become ill!
a. Break the fast by drinking a glass of diluted juice (preferably orange, apple or grape).
i. Slowly reintroduce hydration through juices and water. (We recommend distilled water.)
b. Slowly reintroduce food.
i. Start with sub-acid fruits such as: apples; pears; peaches-adding in other foods as tolerated. (See info regarding Food Charts below.)
Fasting will act as a springboard in which you will be empowered to obtain your heart's desire for:
1. Closer communion with God.
2. Better health-physical, mental and spiritual!
Until next time, Beloved Reader, it is my prayer that you prosper in all things and be healthy in all aspects of life - body, mind and spirit! (Personalized for you from 3 John 1:2)
Remember: It is your health…your life…live responsibly.
Pam Anderson has earned the credentials of Doctor of Naturopathic Ministry and has actively worked in the field of nursing as a Registered Nurse for 31 years. She is also an Ordained Minister. Pam sees her role as a teacher or consultant. She believes in the body's innate, God-given, natural ability to heal itself when given an appropriate internal and external environment. Her years of experience in the ministry, medicine, and natural health field enables her to counsel individuals, couples and/or families on the principles for life, health and wellness of body, mind (soul) and spirit as established in God's Word. Pam, along with her husband, Ron Anderson, operates several natural health clinics. They travel the country as motivational speakers sharing their knowledge of Biblical principles for life, health and wellness. They have been married for 37 years.
To order Food Charts or for more information on Pam, natural health alternatives, integrative medicine and/or to receive her free newsletter, please visit: www.newhorizonsnaturalhealthcare.com <http://www.newhorizonsnaturalhealthcare.com>.
