Friday, December 21, 2007

Juice Fasting Pt 3 - Keys to Good Nutrition and Tips to Eating Healthy with Uri Feast

HOW LONG
CAN YOU FAST
OR
SHOULD YOU FAST?


The answer to this question depends upon the purpose of your fast.

If you are fasting for the purpose of protecting and defending your body against illness and preventing physical health problems, 7-10 days of fasting will be sufficient. In other words, if you are fasting in order to cleanse, regenerate, and rejuvenate your body (known as prophylactic purposes), then a fast lasting for a week to ten days would be enough. Short fasts such as this can be taken once or twice a year. If you have a proper mental attitude, confidence and understanding of the philosophy and physiology of fasting, you can safely fast on your own for up to ten days. However, if you feel unsure of yourself, you may consult a doctor or fasting practitioner for assistance.

On the other hand, if you are planning a "therapeutic fast" for the purpose of healing, then the length of the fast should be determined by the doctor or practitioner who supervises the fast. Generally, therapeutic fasts vary between 7 days and 40 days. The most common duration of fasts in European clinics is 14 to 21 days. It is not advisable to undertake a do-it-yourself fast for longer than a week or ten days.

Finally, if you are fasting for spiritual reasons, the length of your fast is between you and God. In the Bible, you can find fasts that last anywhere from one day, to three days, to seven days, to 21 days, to 40 days. The people in the Bible who are most known for fasting include Jesus, Moses, Daniel, Esther, David, Elijah, Paul, and many others. These people found tremendous spiritual benefits from fasting and are an example to me.

Fasting is a great habit to develop and one that you may consider establishing as you start the upcoming new year. I personally practice and recommend fasting one day a week (consistently on the same day) and fasting for cleansing, regenerating, and rejuvenating purposes twice a year.

And always remember, and are and with the .

To your health,

Josiah Friberg
Health and Nutrition Educator