What Is Fasting?

Fasting, in the strictest sense, is defined as the voluntary abstinence from all
food and drink, except water, as long as the nutritional reserves of the body
are adequate to sustain normal function. This is a state of relative physiologic
rest. Some of the medical studies on fasting (which we will refer to) have
included the use of vitamins, coffee, tea, and drugs during the fast. Except for
extremely rare instances where some medication may be indicated, it should be
recognized that a total fast, with water only, is both the most effective and the
safest way to fast.

Vitamins are not generally required because within the body's cells are
adequate reserves of protein, fat; minerals, and vitamins that can be called
upon during periods of famine, food scarcity, or fasting. Even in prolonged fasts
(those lasting from 20 to 40 days) no deficiency diseases develop, illustrating
that the body has the innate ability to utilize its stored reserves in a highly
exacting and balanced manner. Today, with modern laboratory tests available,
it is simple to check the blood for levels of every vitamin and mineral, as well
as for electrolytes and other essential factors. Interestingly, these levels of
vitamins and minerals are exceedingly stable during the fast and, if normal to
begin with, remain normal throughout the period of fasting.

In some cases a liquid diet, such as fruit or vegetable juices, has been
considered to be a fast. This may occasionally be appropriate for a person who
requires relative bowel rest, whose health condition would make a fast
inappropriate. One cannot, however, achieve the powerful benefits of complete
fasting if juices are part of the fast. ―Juice fasting‖ is not truly fasting;
biochemically the body does not enter the ―protein–sparing‖ fasting state. In
this state the body conserves its muscle reserves and fat is preferentially
broken down. This does not occur with juice fasting. Juice fasting also does not
have the powerful anti–inflammatory properties of the pure water fast that are
essential for recovery in autoimmune illnesses. Other benefits of total fasting
include decreasing platelet aggregation and promoting other biochemical
changes that help to prevent the formation of blood clots, which could cause a
heart attack. These beneficial changes, so essential in the cardiac patient, as
well as the significant lowering of blood pressure, also do not occur if even a
small amount of carbohydrate in the form of juice is taken.

Occasionally claims are made for special powders, vitamin preparations,
herbal mixes, or drinks that are intended to detoxify the liver more effectively
than fasting. Obviously, this is wishful thinking. The powerful detoxifying
effects of the fast cannot be obtained by following a restricted or supplemented
diet. Only when there is total abstinence from all calories do we observe waste
products being heavily excreted from the breath, the tongue, the urine, and the
skin. Plus, the fast does not merely detoxify, it also breaks down superfluous
tissue — fat, abnormal cells, atheromatous plaque, and rumors —and releases
diseased tissues and their cellular products into the circulation for elimination.
This kind of dramatic detoxification cannot occur with supplemented eating
plans. Toxic or unwanted materials circulate in our bloodstream and lymphatic
tissues and are deposited in and released from our fat stores and other tissues.
An important element of detoxification is mobilizing the toxins from their
storage sites. This occurs best and most efficiently during total fasting.

I have observed many sick patients who have tried these ―detoxification―
powders and not achieved results. I have seen how easily these same people
recover when they go on a complete fast. We can't buy magic in a bottle. A
supplemented powdered drink food plan may sometimes be helpful for a person
with food sensitivity or a very poor diet, but I find that in these cases, where
total fasting is not necessary, changing the diet alone almost always achieves
equally good results, and adding supplemental nutrients is practically never
needed.

To think that we can buy an herb that will detoxify us is also an illusion.
Herbs do not detoxify. They merely are a source of nutrients or natural drugs.
For example, they do not detoxify the liver or kidney when they increase
urinary output. Diuretic is the name given to a drug that can increase our urine
flow. When a drug functions as a diuretic it does so because of its ability to
block or poison the ability of the cells that line the kidney's collecting ducts to
reclaim fluid. When a natural herbal diuretic is taken, it works via the same
mechanism. Instead of accurately referring to it as a diuretic, its proponents
call it a kidney strengthener or detoxicant. Obviously, the profit motive
encourages claims made for many so-called ―healing‖ substances. It is
attractive to think we can buy good health in a bottle, but unfortunately it is
not that easy. There is nothing that can be taken that will ever accomplish the
biochemical changes that occur when we undergo a complete fast.