Fasting

Retune the Body with a Partial Fast- NPR's Patty Namon

Endocronologist says fasting doesn't hurt, but most people need 2,000 calories a day - suggests fasting for 24 hours once a week

Juice diets don't give digestove systems a rest - free radicals created by our bodys functions actually attack cells - free radicals attack proteins in the cells

Fasting may retune your body Sugar is something you got used to not having- reduce the tast for sugar - the body eventually burns up sugar

When rats fasted every other day, they shows less signs of disease - lower blood pressure - better affects on the brain - even extended life spand - Teaches the cells to expect mild stress and be able to deal with it (Similar to the way muscles get built up when stressed by excercise, it prepares the body for times of little food)

Even without fasting, reduction in caloric intake for a while can protect against diabetes and disease, beneficiary to the brain

Complete water only fasting - may lower cancer risk - can be harmful

After the first few days of water fasting the body uses up all its stored glucose for energy, then the body turns to fat and muscle - Muscle is one of the main targets for energy during fasting because amino acids break down fast so that the brain doesn't think its being deprived- happens within minutes -Mucle cells are partly made up of nitrogen- when nitrogen is broken down it can be harmful to the kidney and liver- starvation is underway - In most religious fasts, people don't go without food for more than 24 hours

Questions-

1. What does it mean to detox? What are common fasts and detoxification methods tried by men and women? 2. Are certain fasts better or safer than others? 3. What is the significance in religious fasting?

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1. Detox- or detoxification, is the removal of potentially dangerous toxins from the body. It is most commonly associated with ridding drugs or alcohol from the body and curing dependence. However, detoxification also refers to diets, herbs, and other methods to remove the dietary and environmental poisons. The process of detoxification may include eliminating foods that could be allergenic or providing nutrients to the liver to aid the process of cleansing.

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/dietarytherapy/a/Detox_Diet_Plan.htm

Juice Fasting Water Fasting- (The most intense cleasing) Fasting on Honey and Lemon Raw Food Diet- has similar affects as the all fruit or fruit juice diet/fast with a slower process Vegetarian Eating Maple Syrup Fast? Colonic irrigation- flushes the colon with up to five gallons of water allowing toxic bile to leave the body Accupuncture, Massage, and Sauna- thoughts to detoxify the body

http://www.fasting.ws/juice-fasting/

2. Some athletes believe that an egg white and vegetable juice fast is ideal to trim fat while maintaining stamina for excercise. This fast eliminates any fat or cholesterol, but with the egg protein and juice the body does not lack nutrients. The protein of the eggs will keep mucles from breaking down, yet the fast is still low calorie.

One fast, based on only drinking a fruit juice made of Cantoloupe, Sucanat, and cinnamon is considered to be full of vitamins A and C and to be beneficial in preventing anxiety. The American Cancer Society claims that cantoloupes may prevent intestinal and skin cancer. Cantoloupes are low in calories but may also prevent insomnia and the hardening of arteries because of a lipid called myoinosital.

A honey and lemon fast is thought to help aid the detoxification process in the body. The honey makes the cleansing more comfortable and reduces the more harmful affects.

An all fruit juice fast, in which only fruit and some sweetener can be injested is detoxifying but has enough pulp to keep the digestive system moving. The body also has so nutrients. Protein deficiency may occur though.

3. Fasting is present in the Bible. Moses fasted for two different periods of fourty days, while Jesus fasted for fourty days as well. Christians believe that fasting will allow a person to "humble him or herself in the sight of God." They believe that fasting will enrich their prayer life and allow them to have a personal revival in the presence of God. It allows them to seek a "greater intimacy with God."

Hindus fast on certain days of the month, such as Ekadasi (the eleventh day of each lunar fortnight) or Purnima ( the full moon). A Hindu man or woman may fast on a certain day for personal belief or in honor of a favorite deity. Hindus may also fast during religious festivities. In northern India, married women who are Hindus fast for the longevity and well being of their husbands.

Muslims believe that fasting is about more than abstaining from food and water. Allah teaches in the Qur'an that fasting is a way to shield a Muslim from hell, and as well as going without food, they refrain from using "ignorant or indecent speech" and from arguing in general. Muslims believe that fasting brings the people together with a feeling of "brotherhood" and that it brings about a greater understanding of those who do not have food on a daily basis.

Jains fast as a way to become purified. They believe that by only taking boiled purified water during times of fasting, their souls will become purified.

Jews fast for seven days of the Jewish calendar, the first of which is Yom Kippur. On Yom Kippur, Jews fast as a way to show repentence. During Tisha B'Av, another day of fast, Jews abstain from food, water, sexual relations, and bathing as a way to mourn for "tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people." Other reasons that Jews fast include the dropping of the scrolls of the Torah.

http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Fasting_-_Religious_Fasting/id/1290223