Fasting: What health benefits can we expect?

Many doctors disagree with me, but I believe that fasting--voluntarily abstaining from food for a set period of time--can be safe and beneficial if you do it correctly.

Giving your digestive system a break frees energy for your body to heal and repair itself. I have seen patients with asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease experience complete relief from their symptoms while forgoing food for a few days. Some people also feel more energetic and alert.

I recommend an occasional juice fast--no more than two or three times a year--during which you abstain from food but drink fresh juice (try to limit to 16 ounces a day), unsweetened herbal tea, and water for 1 to 3 days. I try to follow this regimen myself. To avoid constipation, drink a glass of water that contains a tablespoon of a fiber supplement made from psyllium once a day, and follow it with a second glass of pure water.

Keep taking any medications you've been prescribed. When the time comes, break your fast gently with a light meal of veggies and fruit.
Talk with your doctor before trying a fast. If you have diabetes, are pregnant or nursing, or are thin and frail, you shouldn't fast at all.

Source: Andrew Weil, MD, clinical professor of medicine at the University of Arizona and director of its Program in Integrative Medicine.

Medical Benefits of Fasting
It is a safe and effective means of maximizing the body’s self –healing capacities

An aid in transition

A speedy recovery

Overcoming addictions

Uterine fibroid tumor contributes to pain and excess bleeding, hysterectomy is often recommended and a proper fast reduces the size and effect of these tumors

Patients with chronic pain in the back and neck experience dramatic improvement through the use of fasting

A lot of people with cardiovascular problems achieve and maintain normal blood pressure without the use of medications

Gastrointestinal disorders like esophagitis, gastritis, colitis and constipation usually respond well to conservative care and fasting is of good help to people who have this condition

Diabetics can be brought under control and freed from the use of other medication and insulin through the use of fasting and a carefully followed diet and a lifestyle program.

Fasting can be used for almost every chronic condition, including allergies, arthritis, asthma, depression, anxiety, diabetes, headaches, heart disease, high cholesterol, low blood sugar, digestive disorders, mental illness, and obesity.

Fasting is also effective and safe weight loss method, and it is also often prescribed as a detoxification treatment for those with conditions that may be influenced by environmental factors, such as cancer and multiple chemical sensitivity.

Fasting so far, has been used successfully to help treat those who have been exposed to high levels of toxic materials due to accident or occupation. Fasting is actually thought to be helpful as a preventative measure to increase overall health, vitality, and resistance to disease, it has also been associated method of mental and spiritual rejuvenation.

source: mdinfo