Fasting Therapy - Types, Duration, Benefits, and Precautions

Introduction

Fasting therapy is one of the most reliable curative methods throughout medical history. Fasting therapy is referred to as avoiding food for a particular period for a specific purpose. The most effective fasting therapy is "juice fasting." Thus fasting therapy is the process of purification of the body and an effective method of cure.

What Is Fasting Therapy?

Fasting treatment is a type of therapy that entails refraining from food and, in some cases, drinking for a defined length of time. The practice has been practiced for thousands of years in numerous cultures and religions, and it has recently acquired appeal as a technique for enhancing health and wellness. Intermittent fasting, protracted water-only fasting, juice fasting, and religious fasting are all examples of fasting therapy. Fasting therapy aims to put the body into a state of metabolic and physiological rest, allowing it to repair and regenerate cells, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

Intermittent fasting entails limiting calorie consumption for a predetermined period of time, usually 16-24 hours, followed by a period of normal eating. This method has been demonstrated to increase insulin sensitivity, decrease inflammation, and enhance weight loss. Extensive water-only fasting entails abstaining from everything food and drink except water for several days to several weeks. This method has been found to boost immunological function, reduce inflammation, and stimulate autophagy, which is the process by which the body breaks down and recycles damaged cells. Juice fasting is the practice of consuming only fruit and vegetable juices for a specific period of time, usually 1-3 days. This method is frequently used to cleanse the body and promote weight loss, but it may not supply all of the minerals required for long-term health.

Fasting for religious purposes is a prevalent practice in many cultures and religions, and it can take numerous forms. During the month of Ramadan, for example, Muslims fast, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical requirements during daylight hours. It is thought that this practice promotes spiritual discipline and connection with God, as well as bodily and mental cleaning.

What Is the Duration of Fasting Therapy?

• The fasting duration depends on a person's age, the disease of nature, and the type of drugs consumed previously.

• The duration of fasting therapy is significant because a long period of fasting is dangerous if undertaken without professional guidance.

• The fasting is undertaken with a series of short fasts of two to three days, gradually increasing the duration by succeeding fasting by a day.

• Should not be prolonged by a week of fasting at a time.

• A balanced diet after fasting will restore the vitality of the body.

• The success of fasting depends on how it is broken.

• The main rule to breaking the fast is not overeating,

• Consuming food slowly; should be done for several days for the gradual change to the regular diet.

• The transition to consuming solid food should be planned carefully so that there will be no damage to the body. During the transition period, the person should take a rest. The right food after fasting is essential to get a good result.

What Is the Best Method of Fasting Therapy?

• There are several methods of fasting therapy. The best and safest way is juice fasting.

• The old form of fasting therapy is water fasting. As per studies, juice fasting is far better than water fasting.

• During fasting, the body eliminates waste; this process is obtained better by alkaline juice than by water fasting because the alkaline juice eliminates the uric and inorganic waste in the body.

• Even the sugar derived from the juice is good for strengthening the heart.

• Juice that contains vitamins, minerals, and enzymes in fresh raw vegetables and fruit juices is the best beneficial method of fasting therapy to normalize the body process.

• This fasting method provides the elements for the body to heal and restore the cells for a speedy recovery. The juices consumed during fasting therapy should be extracted from fresh fruits before drinking.

• Per day six to eight glasses of juices should be consumed.

• If the body physically lasts, it is better to take solids like cooked vegetables until the body gets into the normal process.

• Sometimes fasting leads to sleeplessness, so overcoming this with a hot tub bath or drinking two glasses of water is better.

What Are the Types of Fasting Therapy?

There are five types of fasting therapy. They are as follows:

• Time-restricted eating.

• The 5:2 diet.

• Eat, stop, eat.

• Alternate day fasting.

• The warrior diet.

1) Time-Restricted Eating:

• Time-restricted eating involves fasting for 12 hours per day, and the eating schedule is for eight hours.

• This includes the 16/8 method of fasting.

• According to this fasting, the consumption of meals is two or three.

2) The5:2 Diet:

• This 5:2 diet normalizes food consumption for five days a week.

• The intake of food can be regular for five days a week, and the remaining

food consumption should be 500 to 600 calories two days a week.

3) Eat Stop Eat:

• This diet pattern involves 24 hours of fasting once or twice weekly.

4) Alternate Day Fasting:

• This type of fasting can be done every alternate day of the week.

5) The Warrior Diet:

• This type of fasting is similar to intermittent fasting.

• This type of fasting is a popular method.

• Fasting involves the intake of small amounts of food like fruits and

vegetables during the day and one large meal at night.

What Are the Benefits of Fasting Therapy?

The benefits of fasting therapy are as follows:

• It helps in curing stomach and intestinal disorders.

• It helps in severe conditions of kidney and liver disorders.

• It helps in curing eczema and other skin disorders.

• It helps with nervous disorders.

• It enables the body to reduce weight gain.

• It controls the blood sugar level.

What Are the Precautions to Be Followed During Fasting Therapy?

• Avoid drinking frozen fruit juices during fasting.

• Avoid excess liquids; the intake of fluids should be six to eight glasses.

• Avoid heavy exercise during fasting; instead, do short walks.

• Avoid taking cold baths and drinking cold water while fasting; instead, take hot baths and drink hot water in one or two glasses to resist the sleeplessness caused by fasting.

Conclusion

Fasting therapy is an effective therapy in decreasing the weight of the body. This therapy also removes toxins and waste from the body to cure the body of disease. Fasting therapy is safe if it is followed under the proper guidance of a therapist. The duration of the fasting therapy should not be prolonged for a week at a time. Fasting therapy is used to treat disorders in the nervous system, liver, kidney, and intestine. This therapy plays a significant role in the process of purification and the method of cure. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before implementing this therapy.