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It has been shown in many empirical, scientific studies that fasting can improve health and help to eliminate a variety of diseases. Although some fasting methods use juice or various amounts of food, the health of such methods is questionable, according to Dr. Joel Fuhrman. A true fast, he contends, consists of an intake solely of water, and can last (healthily) for extended periods of time when undertaken with the correct knowledge. Any fasts of such nature should be preceded and followed by a healthy diet, and should also be supervised by a knowledgeable physician to make sure that deficiencies of any nutrients do not take place and retract from the healthful benefits of such a fast.
Some doctors believe that pure water fasting can not only detoxify cells and rejuvenate organs, but can actually cure such diseases and conditions as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, colitis, psoriasis, lupus and some other autoimmune disorders when combined with a healthy diet. They believe that "Fasting is Nature's Restorer." There is empirical evidence to corroborate the beliefs of these scientists.
Recent studies on mice show that fasting every other day while eating double the normal amount of food on non-fasting days led to improved insulin and blood sugar control, neuronal resistance to injury, and health indicators superior to mice on 40% calorie restricted diets. Alternate day calorie restriction may prolong lifespan and attenuate diseases associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and aging.
As for wasup's ignorant claims about the body feeding on your organs...:roll:
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Glucose is the body's primary fuel source, and is essential for the brain's functioning. When denied glucose for more than 4-8 hours, the body will turn to the liver for glycogen, a storage form of glucose, to be used for fuel. A process called glycogenolysis converts glycogen into a usable form of fuel. At this point, the body will also use small amounts of protein to supplement this fuel. This fuel will last for up to 12 hours before the body needs to turn to muscle stores of glycogen, lasting for a few more hours. If glucose is still denied at this point, muscle wasting is prevented by temporarily switching to fat as the fuel source. Using a process called Gluconeogenesis, fat is converted into ketone through catabolism. Ketones, while not sugars, are able to be used by the brain as a fuel source as long as glucose is denied.
As a protective biomechanism, many toxins are stored within fat. During catabolism, these toxins are liberated and then released into the blood stream. The body will continue to use fat for as long as there is fat to consume. The body will generally indicate to the faster when fat levels are running extremely low (less than 2%) with an increased urge for food. Fasts are usually broken long before this point.
If the fast is not broken, starvation will begin to occur, as the body begins to use protein for fuel. It will begin with the least important proteins, then muscles, and eventually organs. Death may occur before the body turns to organs as a fuel source however.
Get a clue before attempting to lecture me. ;)
