The 8 Stages Of A 72 Hour Water Fast
Experiencing A Healing Crisis:
Although in one respect an extended fast simply continues the notion of a 7-10 day water fast, it is also much more powerful because it gives you the opportunity to experience deeper healing crises. As described in the article on the 7-10 day water fast, a healing crisis often occurs towards the end of the first week of water fasting, as the symptoms of old illnesses, injuries and traumas resurface, before being permanently expelled from your body. A similar process often occurs around the end of the second week of fasting and this is the reason that if you decide to extend a 7-10 day water fast, its worth aiming for at least 14 days. This second healing crisis tends to call forth deeper issues than the first healing crisis, or, alternatively, finishes resolving those issues which were not fully cleared during the first healing crisis. In other words, its from the beginning of the second week of water fasting that your body can begin to heal from more serious health issues. Simply, up until this point, your body has been cleansing the toxins of everyday life .
For the deepest and most serious health issues, whether physical or spiritual, healing crises often occur much later into the fast, whether 20, 30 or even 40 days. Theres no way to accurately predict when they will occur. You can only trust your body and let nature take its course
Water Fasting And Weight
You may want to try water fasting for weight-loss, but the weight loss you experience may seem more significant than it truly is. When you step on the scale after a 24 hour fast, you may weigh up to two pounds less than when you started. A small percentage of the weight will be fat, and the rest will be water.
When you dont eat, your sodium level changes, which causes your body to shed excess water. When you eat and drink again, youll likely gain some, if not most, of the weight back.
The most sustainable way to lose weight is to reduce calories in a sustainable way over time. Whether you choose to follow a restrictive diet, exercise more, or fast a few times a week or month, a slow and steady loss of 1-2 pounds per week is the best way to achieve a healthy weight.
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Dangers Of Fasting For Weight Loss
When you dramatically reduce your calorie intake, you will lose weight. But it can also cause all kinds of health problems, including muscle loss. Further, when you start fasting, your body goes into conservation mode, burning calories more slowly.
Keep in mind that the initial weight lost on a fast is primarily fluid or “water weight,” not fat. And when you go back to eating, any lost weight usually gets a return ticket back. Not only do most people regain weight lost on a fast, they tend to add a few extra pounds because a slower metabolism makes it easier to gain weight. Worse, the weight that is regained is likely to be all fat — lost muscle has to be added back at the gym.
Continued
Side effects of fasting include dizziness, headaches, low blood sugar, muscle aches, weakness, and fatigue. Prolonged fasting can lead to anemia, a weakened immune system, liver and kidney problems, and irregular heartbeat. Fasting can also result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, muscle breakdown, and diarrhea. When you drink laxative concoctions during a fast, there is an increased risk of fluid imbalance and dehydration.
The risks get more complicated and severe the longer you stay on a fast, or if you repeatedly go on fasts.
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How Can I Prepare Beforehand To Make My Fast Easier
Eat healthily. If youre addicted to sugar and refined grains, youre going to be fighting that addiction as well as hunger during your fast. Thats super tough, so the more you can kick your refined carb addiction before your fast, the better. You do this by eating whole, unprocessed foods, and a diet high in naturally occurring fats .
Eat irregularly. As explained in the answer to Wont I feel hungry? the more irregularly you eat the more you kill off the hormones that make you feel hungry.
Find a friend. Dr. Fung doesnt mention it in his book, but what works for me too is to find a friend to join you on your fast-inating journey. They provide support and accountability and celebrate with you after.
Clear your calendar. You probably want to avoid dinner parties and lunch meetings. Stick to going for coffee or tea with friends.
Water Fasting For Mental And Physical Health
Fasting is certainly a popular practice, but it isnt something to be tried at random. Understanding why youre fasting and placing an intention behind it is important for staying mindful when beginning a new eating pattern. Anyone who wants to start water fasting should have a clear understanding of both the benefits and risks.
Michelle Polizzi
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What Is A 3 Day Water Fast
A 3 day water fast quite simply involves not eating and only drinking water for 72 hours.
Most people do a 3 day fast where they have some diluted fruit and vegetable juices, in combination with lemon water spiced with cayenne pepper for an enhanced cleansing effect.
These fasts can be effective, but you wont get the full benefits of a water fast .
A water fast is a fast where you only have water.
Throughout history, people have undertaken fasts for spiritual or religious reasons. In the contemporary age, water fasting is becoming more popular in the natural health and wellness movements, as well as amongst biohackers.
I decided to do a water fast as I couldnt figure out whether having coffee would prevent some of the benefits of fasting. I was getting mixed messages from my research, so decided if I was going to go through the experience, I may as well do a full water fast.
This decision nearly destroyed me. But first, lets go through how to prepare for a 3 day water fast.
Why Wont Water Go Into My Ice Maker
Water may not be reaching the ice maker due to a frozen line, missing filter, or a closed supply valve. When there is no filter, or it is clogged, the ice maker does not get water. Make sure that the filter is in place, and if it has not been changed in more than six months, replace it with a new one.
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Is Water Fasting Right For You
If you want to give water fasting a try, its crucial you learn the inherent risks involved. Before you begin a water fasting protocol, be sure to consult with your doctor.
If youre on the fence about water fasting, consider an intermittent fast instead. As a less intense and lower-risk option, you can experience the benefits of fasting without the fear of dehydration or fainting.
If Im Perfectly Healthy Why Should I Torture Myself By Fasting
You brush your teeth right?
Well, fasting is the same thing, but for your body. It keeps your body and brain clean and hopefully working well for a long, long time. And there are not dentures for your body or brain .
Also, if you read through the other water fasting tips, hopefully youll realize fasting isnt torture. It may not be as pleasurable as eating cake or nachos, but it is an enlightening experience.
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Danger Of Medical Complications
People with certain conditions can experience drastic disturbances in their bodys acid/base balance by fasting for an extended period of time on just water . People with such medical conditions as diabetes, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, chronic infections and ulcers should avoid water fasting altogether! If you are taking any medications or have an ongoing health problem that requires medication speak with your healthcare provider before attempting a long duration fast.
Who Should Avoid It
Most healthy people can do a water fast with no significant complications, but there are some people who should avoid it or who should complete a fast only with close medical supervision:
- People on blood pressure medications. Prolonged periods of fasting can sometimes be associated with dehydration and lower blood pressure. Dangerously low blood pressure levels could occur in people who are also taking medications to lower their blood pressure.
- People with diabetes. If youre on insulin or medications to regulate blood sugar, abruptly stopping your food intake can also put you at risk of low blood sugar, which can be serious. It can also be more difficult for people with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels while fasting even if they arent on insulin or other meds.
- People who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Water fasting could prevent you from getting all the nutrients your body needs to keep you and baby healthy.
- People with a history of disordered eating. Water fasting is a pretty extreme regimen and may exacerbate disordered eating patterns.
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Notes On Health Benefits:
To regularly detoxify my body from the occasional splurge, I incorporate detox smoothies and detox baths into my weekly routine.
This is OUR personal story about water fasting. Were not doctors and have never claimed to be. In no way, shape, or form are we stating that water fasting will cure anything. You should always check with your doctor before embarking on an extended fast!
Ive summarized our findings on the benefits of water fasting here, but if you prefer to see the research for yourself, we recommend reading Water Fasting for Wellness.
For a doctors viewpoint of water fasting, check out Fasting and Eating for Health.
Dry Fasting: Health Benefits How To Do It And Why Its Better Than Wet Fasting
As more and more people are becoming health conscious, fasting has become a common method of keeping the bodys fitness up. Fasting has been in practice for centuries and it is only recently that the health benefits of it are being discussed.
Primarily, fasting has been done for religious reasons. People of different faiths have been practising different methods of essentially the same concept of depriving the body of food and/or water for a set amount of time.
There are various methods of fasting and dry fasting is one that has gained popularity in the recent years. This type of fast entails completely foregoing water and food for an extended period of time. As difficult as this sounds, there are enormous benefits to dry fasting and here is how you can start –
How to
Prepare Do not go into a dry fast with too many toxins in the body as it can increase the chances of feeling fatigued. The best way to prepare for a dry fast is to hydrate properly in the days leading up to it.
Do not attempt to do more than 12 hours of fasting in the first attempt. The body, like in most other things, requires training and preparation for a 24 or 36 hour fast.
Break the fast Considering the distress you are placing your body under, it is recommended that if at any point you feel dizzy, nauseated, exhausted or on the verge of passing out, you should break the fast.
Interval Dry fasting has shown the best results when practised at a regular schedule.
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How Often Should I Do An Extended Fast
I believe that for many people a 4-5 day water fast is all that is needed. If you are significantly overweight or have debilitating inflammation, you may consider doing a longer fast such as 8-10 days or you can just do the 4-5 day fast more frequently.
For lean individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases, I will typically recommend a 35 day water fast every 812 weeks until the inflammatory condition improves. Your body will get stronger and healthier through each fast. Over the course of 6-8 months, you can see dramatic improvements by doing these periodic extended fasts.
For individuals with a lot of weight to lose, I will often recommend a 10-day water fast every other month or a 5-day water fast each month. This is a great regimen to follow along with daily intermittent fasting or alternative day fasting to see significant weight loss and dramatic improvements in insulin sensitivity and inflammation levels.
What Happens Metabolically When You Fast
Our bodys preferred source of energy is the monosaccharide, glucose. Glucose is stored in the body in chains known as glycogen. During a fast, our body taps into our glycogen stores to get the energy it needs. Once the stored glycogen is used up , the body starts breaking down protein and fat. After about 48 hours, the body goes into a protein-sparing mode and relies predominantly on fat for fuel, turning it into glucose and molecules known as ketones to be used as energy. This adaptation is known as ketosis, the bodys starvation mode.
Without incoming nutrients, many physiological processes related to growth slow down. Fasting results in decreases in the hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1 . High levels of IGF-1 have been associated with chronic disease in adults. Fasting also results in decreased levels of insulin and leptin and increases in the fat-burning hormone adiponectin. Meanwhile, antioxidant and stress-resistant enzymes are activated in response to decreases in these hormones, which is believed to be one mechanism by which fasting results in disease prevention.
Additionally, some individuals report increased mental acuity during fasting. However, one study of a three-week ketogenic diet showed no differences in cognition and mood in healthy adult participants.
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Alan Goldhamer Dc: Water Fastingthe Clinical Effectiveness Of Rebooting Your Body
Alan Goldhamer,dc, is the founder and education director of TrueNorth Health Center in Santa Rosa, California. Under his guidance, the center has supervised fasts for thousands of patients and grown into one of the premier training facilities for doctors wishing to gain certification in the supervision of therapeutic fasting.
Dr Goldhamer is on the faculty at Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, where he teaches a course on clinical fasting. He is the primary investigator in 2 published, landmark studies that demonstrate the benefits of water-only fasting, and he is the author of The Health Promoting Cookbook and coauthor of The Pleasure Trap: Mastering The Hidden Force That Undermines Health and Happiness.
Integrative Medicine: A Clinicians Journal: What made you interested in pursuing the effects of fasting?
Dr Goldhamer: I got started very youngabout 16, actually. I wanted to be a better basketball player than my friend, Doug Lisle, who currently is the director of research and a clinical psychologist at TrueNorth Health Center. We grew up together and he could always beat me in basketball. I was looking for an edge.
They applied this regimen in a variety of conditions from diabetes and cardiovascular disease to autoimmune diseases. Conditions that seemed to be tied to dietary excess tended to respond predictably to the use of fasting followed by a health-promoting diet.
IMCJ: And that is: How to promote health?
IMCJ: What are you currently working on?
Avoid The Kitchen If Possible:
Many people struggle with food cravings every time they go into the kitchen, so I recommend they do their best to avoid the kitchen if possible. This is especially important the first time or two that you fast. After a while, you develop a mental resilience that helps you to overcome this urge much easier.
If you cannot avoid the kitchen, then make a nice herbal tea or get some water available and be sure to drink while preparing the food. The water will help you reduce hunger and cravings and desires to eat.
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