Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 http://altmedicine.about.com/b/a/108226.htm Juice Fasting August 27, 2004 Juice Fasting Before I tried juice fasting years ago for the first time, I thought it was extreme and unnecessary. Why starve yourself when you can just eat a healthy diet? But the reality is that most people have a lifestyle that makes it difficult to eat healthy. Hectic work schedules and family responsibilities drive people to consume coffee, fast food, and sugar. Juice fasting is an advanced method of detoxification that speeds the elimination of toxins from the body. Learn all about juice fasting, include benefits, diet guidelines, side effects, and other guidelines. Juice fasting is an advanced method of detoxification that speeds the elimination of toxins from the body. Fasting refers to the avoidance of solid foods and the intake of liquids only. Water fasts are one type of fast, but juice is often used because it requires minimal digestion, helps stabilize blood sugar levels, is easily assimilated by the body, and supplies nutrients and calories to maintain energy while clearing body waste. Juice also helps to decrease the unpleasant detox-withdrawal reaction that can occur common allergens are eliminated from the diet. Why do people try juice fasting? Many people experience enhanced physical, mental, and spiritual well-being during and after juice fasting. People who report the greatest benefit from juice fasting have congestion, excess mucus in their bodies, and constipation. Symptoms may include: # headaches # constipation # chronic sinus congestion # white or yellow tongue coating -- tongue coating is usually a good sign of congestion and toxicity # bad breath # acne or other skin eruptions # bloating, gas, flatulence # postnasal drip # premenstrual syndrome # runny nose # excess meat and fat consumption, overeating # chronic bronchitis # muscle stiffness in the low back Proponents of juice fasting believe that it can prevent chronic degenerative diseases brought on by poor diet and lifestyle choices. It can also help people transition to a healthier lifestyle. It is important to choose a cleansing technique that is not too extreme for your condition. People who have never tried fasting may wish to try the detox diet first. What are the guidelines of this diet? * Timing – Spring is thought to be the best time of the year for a juice fast. Fasting should only be done during the warmer months. In Canada and northern regions of the United States, this means spring, summer, and early fall. Some people prefer to wait until a vacation from work to perform a juice fast. Most people should not perform more than two fasts per year, because it can cause depletion and weakness. After a fast, be sure to spend the next months strengthening and rebuilding your system. Restorative or anusara yoga, probiotics (friendly bacteria) supplements, and stress reduction are some strategies that can help. * Level – People who are fasting for the first time, have the above symptoms, or who are not healthy should be supervised by an experienced health care professional. The following methods can be used to minimize risks and slowly detoxify the body: o Five to seven days before the fast, eliminate alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, dairy, wheat, animal meat, fish, eggs. The diet should consist mainly of fruits, vegetables, and beans. o Limit the fast to three days or less. One method is to abstain from food for 38 hours, from 6 pm one night to 8 am two days later. Most people will feel slightly hungry and may experience some symptoms such as irritability or headache by the end of the second day. o Optional: Eat fresh fruit or vegetables during the juice fast. o Optional: Eat one meal daily at around 2 or 3 pm. o Optional: Eat light meals based on protein, vegetables, and starches. It is no longer a fast at this point, but a detox diet. Proper supervision is necessary when fasting is used by people with medical conditions or who are taking prescription drugs. * Juicing guidelines o The basic procedure is to use between one and three parts distilled or mineral water to one part fresh juice. The juice is sipped throughout the day. Good choices for detox are celery, carrot, kale, cabbage, apple, pineapple, cranberry, spinach, beet, and greens. Citrus fruits should be avoided. At least 8 glasses of water should be consumed to flush out toxic substances. o Use organic fruits and vegetables. If you cannot find organic produce, peel the skin off fruits and vegetables or wash vegetables with a non-toxic produce cleaner, usually available at health food stores. o Low-allergen protein supplements, such as Ultra Clear and Medi Pro Protein Powder, can be added after the third day. They provide protein, vitamins, and minerals to support the detoxification process. The powder can be mixed into juices. o It is preferable to drink freshly juiced fruits and vegetables, but if unavailable, buy it from the health food store or juice bar as fresh as possible. o You may add blue-green algae, spirulina, or chlorella to juices to provide more energy. * Other suggestions o Be sure to drink plenty of warm water in addition to juices. o Go to bed early. In traditional Chinese medicine, 11 pm to 1 am is when the liver, the major detox organ, is most active. o Keep warm. o Nurturing and relaxing are important during this time. Breathing exercises, yoga and/or meditation are some optional suggestions. o Get lots of rest. # Other suggestions * Enemas or colonics can be combined with a juice fast to help expel the stagnation and toxins in the colon. A coffee enema is often recommended to encourage liver detox. Instructions for a coffee enema can be found here. * Supplements that can help to absorb toxins in the digestive tract so they can be excreted are bentonite clay and activated charcoal. Both can be purchased at health food stores. # Duration of the fast – A fast usually lasts for one to five days. Longer fasts should only be done with medical supervision. Pay attention to weight, symptoms and degree of congestion, tongue coating, degree of hunger, and energy level. If energy level drops for more than one day, if weight becomes too low, or if any symptoms become particularly intense, it is time to break the fast. # thicker or have a more pronounced color (yellow, white, grey) as the body eliminates toxins. Although tongue coating should be used as a general indicator only. Some people retain a coated tongue even after all other symptoms have improved. # How to break a fast – The guidelines on how to break a juice fast can be found here. Benefits of the diet In addition to promoting the excretion of toxins and decreasing congestive symptoms, juice fasts are believed to have the following benefits: * Eliminates most food allergies and sensitivities. * Reduces the burden on the digestive system, allowing it to heal. * Releases pesticides, drugs, and other chemicals from stored fat, which can then be eliminated. * Enhances mental, physical, and spiritual well-being * Has less severe withdrawal symptoms than a water fast. * Increased energy * Mental clarity * Glowing skin * Prevents chronic diseases caused by poor diet and lifestyle * Clears mucus dishcharge Side effects and healing crises In the first three days, it is not uncommon for headache and hunger to occur. These side effects are usually gone by the third or fourth day. Many people notice a thickening in the tongue coating, which can be brushed off with a toothbrush. Other common experiences – known as healing crises -- are bad breath, unpleasant taste in the mouth, foul-smelling stools, digestive upset, acne, energy fluctuations, mucus in the stools, sinus congestion, skin eruptions, fever, irritability, yawning, muscle aches or tightness, and gas. Most healing crises pass within one or two days. Healing crises often occur during a detox or other positive change in lifestyle. In addition to physical symptoms associated with the release of toxins, emotions can also be released during a healing crises. Old symptoms from the past can also appear during fasts. They usually last for a brief period. If any symptoms last more than two to three days, it should be considered a problem and be addressed. If a problem worsens or causes concerns, or if fainting, bleeding, dizziness, low blood pressure, vomiting and diarrhea, palpitations, kidney problems, or arrhythmias occur, the fast should be stopped immediately and a doctor consulted. In general, people should consult a health professional skilled in detoxification before trying a juice fast. Who should not try juice fasting? People with the following conditions should not try a juice fast: diabetes, hypoglycemia, eating disorders, anemia, epilepsy, kidney disease, impaired or weak immune system, cardiac arrhythmias, candida, cancer, peptic ulcer, malnutrition, pregnancy, nursing, gout, lactation, severe bronchial asthma, terminal illness, tuberculosis, ulcerative colitis, any condition that causes depletion and weakness, underweight, chronic infection, nutritional deficiency, serious disease. People should not try juice fasts before or after surgical procedures. Fasting can reduce blood proteins and change the way prescription drugs react in the body. People taking prescription medication should consult a health professional skilled in detoxification before trying a juice fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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