The Therapeutic Benefits of Fasting

Fasting is a practice that has been used for centuries for spiritual, political, and therapeutic reasons. Therapeutic fasting is defined as the voluntary abstinence of some or all caloric foods and beverages for the purpose of assisting the body in healing itself. There are many benefits to therapeutic fasting, including reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, increasing stress resistance, lipolysis, and autophagy, and improving hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and quality of life.

Fasting can be done in different ways, including, fasting a specific food type, water fasting, juice fasting, intermittent fasting and even dry fasting. It is important to get informed before you take-on a fast as there are important points to be aware off that will determine the success of the fast. They say a fast is only as good as the breaking of it and the refeeding after no food intake for more than 72 hours.

Namely, how to prepare for a three day fast, the breaking of a fast and especially the correct breaking of a dry-fast. For a 24 hour-fast, not much preparation is needed other than a little salt in your water when you get nervous or feel lightheaded.

Ketogenic diets are high-fat diets that restrict carbohydrates and limit protein and can mimic the low-insulin conditions of fasting. Fasting while under the pressure of chronic mental and emotional stress is probably not a good idea.

Working with a professional and listening to your body are key elements to doing fasting right. However, when used correctly, it can be a simple, free, powerful therapeutic tool for healing the body, treating chronic disease, and promoting longevity.