The fast would probably have been first used by our ancient predecessors in their early attempts to treat illness. After all, it makes sense to give the body a rest from the daily rig ours of the digestive processes.
The benefits of fasting are without dispute. Throughout the known history of every civilization, race and culture, fasting has featured significantly for both religious and health reasons. Even religious fasts were based on sound physiological principles. The ancients knew that it was difficult to think good thoughts when the body was overloaded with toxic rubbish.
In animals, the abstinence process is instinctive. As a result, not only will the animal fast and rest, when it is sick or injured, but it will also avoid eating any food which may be harmful to it. This is not quite the case in domesticated animals, as they can acquire the bad habits of their owners, if given the chance. Unfortunately, human beings (especially those living in modern industrialized societies), have had their basic sensory mechanisms blunted by the unnatural processing and extraordinary diversity of the Western diet. As a result, we are no longer, instinctively, able to recognize what is good for us and what is not. If we could, there would be very little sickness in the world today and, certainly, the ever increasing problem of masked multiple allergies would simply not exist.
Many people, these days, experience toxic overload, to some degree, due to:
Habitually eating more food than is required for the body's needs.
Poor quality, processed foods, which impose a strain on the digestive and assimilative functions of the body.
Lack of exercise, which reduces the detoxifying capacities of the liver and kidneys, and affects the excretory efficiency of the bowels and bladder.
Allergy sufferers have these problems further aggravated by the additional toxins permanently present in their bodies, as a result of allergenic substances. A primary cause of allergy illness is food allergy. Obviously, if a sufferer stops eating he will feel better.
The fasting process:
When we eat, or engage in physical activity, our food must be broken down into component nutrients and then built up into cellular tissue, or energy supply. The residue must be collected and eliminated. If allergenic food is constantly ingested, toxicity will accumulate, resulting in discomfort and illness. This is further exacerbated by too much food, containing excessive, unusable matter. Fasting, therefore, allows the continuation of the brief cleansing period that takes place during sleep. It is important during a fast to rest as much as possible, so that all available bodily energy can be directed to the cleansing process. With no food in the gastrointestinal tract and no tension in the muscular or nervous systems, this can take place with maximum efficiency.
During the fasting process, the body lives on its stored reserves. These are contained in every cell and every organ, in the form of glycogen in the liver, protein in the blood and lymph, stored fat, (even in thin people) and assorted food elements in the bone marrow and glands.
One of the incredible things about the fasting process, is that in a few short days, the accumulated toxicity from years of illness can be obliterated due to the body's incredible capacity to recover. The temporary suspension of its digestive and eliminative labours, increases this capacity greatly. In no time at all the body is relatively clean, thus allowing food testing to commence.
The cleansing action taking place during the fast results in the toxic residues being eliminated in many different ways. Bowel and bladder movements are considerably reduced. Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to drink copious quantities of water. However, a litre of pure water per day, should be the average intake, with more if necessary, depending on the state of health of the individual. Elimination through the ears, nose, mouth and pores will continue constantly throughout the fast until all toxins are consumed. The tongue, in particular, will take on a concentrated 'furriness' and this is a good indication that toxic elimination is working properly. After a few days, this will pass.
It is important to understand that a fast is the quickest way to clean the body and recover from an overloaded, toxic, allergy inducing state. This means having no food at all if it is to work effectively, in the shortest possible time. Partial fasts, such as the grape diet, are not really fasts at all and, although a single food diet will facilitate valuable cleansing, it will obviously take longer to achieve. The body cannot metabolize nutritional intake and, at the same time, effectively break down stored reserves.
When you consider that, in the course of a normal day's food intake, the pancreas produces three quarters of a litre of digestive juices, and the liver about a litre of bile, it is easy to see why a fast would be beneficial to these vital organs and, at the same time would release energy for toxin elimination.
It is important to consult your doctor before commencing a fast. Normally this is a safe process, but some medical conditions may need careful monitoring.
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