The holidays are approaching, and for many people this means large and heavy meals. It’s hard to imagine fasting at a time like this. Yet, fasting is seen by many as a powerful tool for many reasons. So should you ever consider a fast?
Fasting is most commonly thought of as restricting the diet to just juices or water. While there are many different fasts, most fall into one of these two categories. A fast can be as short as a day and as long as several weeks, but the most common length is around one week, and a common interval is once per year.
Many people fast, and for several reasons. In theory, fasting is effective to detoxify the body; since toxins most commonly are stored in fat, one reason people fast is to attempt to reduce fat stores and eliminate the built-up toxins in the body. Another common reason is to lose weight.
However, there is actually not much scientific analysis of the effects of fasting. It is becoming clear that fasting does not reduce weight as effectively as good exercise and diet, and can be far more damaging and stressful on the body. Beyond that, most physiological claims are conjecture and unproven.
One thing that is better known is that fasting can have a great spiritual effect on the individual. Fasting is common in many cultures as part of the religious doctrine. The discipline and challenge of fasting brings with it great personal rewards upon completion.
If you are thinking of fasting, talk to your physician or naturopath first; they may have suggestions or advice to offer. There are several books on the topic as well. Make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons; it is not a solution to getting rid of the extra pounds accumulated during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Resources:
- Detox Diets: Cleansing the Body [www.webmd.com]
- Can fasting help purge the body of toxins? [www.goaskalice.columbia.edu]
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- You mean it’s not a fix-it-all? What are the real benefits of green tea? [www.msnbc.msn.com]
- First, drain your radiator: Winterizing Your Body [www.cbsnews.com]
From the editor
Yep, it’s definitely fall. I’ve been in the middle of all the rain in Seattle, with record amounts this year. The cold has arrived.
When it starts to get cold, certain news stories are guaranteed: “3 billion expected to die of the flu this year”; “There’s been a huge wreck in Blah-Blah Pass”; and, my favorite, “You can eat big and still stay thin this holiday season”. My responses: “Aaaack! Panic!”; “Learn to drive in the snow”; and “Yeah, right”.
You can eat big, but you but strain on your body. Do you want a better approach? Eat small quantities of everything. Don’t skimp on the selection, just eat small servings of everything so that you are not painfully full when you finish. The biggest strain on the body this time of year is the sheer quantity of food consumed; the body just can’t take it.
Enjoy all the wonderful foods this year, and be responsible enough to know when to say when. Your body will thank you for it!
Healthy thoughts,
Jeff
