The Physical Aspects of Fasting

We all know that we fast for spiritual reasons. So when we decide to skip a few meals we must make sure we occupy the time with prayer, personal study, and a greater devotion to God's word. As Christians we are called to crucify the flesh. When we fast we can expect to be uncomfortable.

Most of the time, meditating on the suffering and death of Jesus makes our discomfort pale in comparison. But some of us may experience discomfort to the point that we cannot function. This is an attempt to help you understand what is happening with your body and how you can deal with it. Please be advised that you should always check with your physician before fasting if you have chronic health problems.

When you fast, you are giving many organs in the body a rest. They include the stomach, intestines, pancreas, gallbladder, and liver. This allows the most important organ, the liver, to spend more time cleaning up the toxins that will be released into the blood during fasting, and create many new substances for our body to use.

You must realize that all the eliminative functions of the body will be enhanced during fasting. With less energy going to the process of digesting and processing food, the body will focus on cleaning out toxins. Each cell has an opportunity to "catch up" on the work of repair and dumping waste to be filtered through the blood and lymph, liver, etc., and to be eliminated as waste.

"Side affects" of detoxification include headache, fatigue or irritability may occur at times, dizziness or lightheadedness, senses are enhanced so that common sounds like the TV, music, ticking clocks, refrigerator, etc., may become irritating. Sense of smell is also exaggerated. The tongue of most people will develop a thick white, yellow or grayish fur coating, which can be scraped or brushed off. Bad breath and displeasing tastes in the mouth, foul smelling urine or stools, skin odor and eruptions, digestive upset, mucousy stools, flatulence (gas), nausea, vomiting, insomnia, bad dreams, negative thoughts, doubts as to whether fasting is really the right thing to be doing (esp. when you are feeling effects of detox.), are all possible, but will not, necessarily happen. The degree to which your body eliminates toxins will depend upon how you have taken care of your body nutritionally and otherwise in the past.

You can help your fast by not fighting against what the body is doing and rest when your body tells you to rest. This is one reason why fasting is a inconvenience to many of us, because we have forgotten how to rest, and let our body restore itself. We are a busy and active people, who do not take the time to rest and restore, both physically and spiritually.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

The following are some common side effects of fasting and how they can be relieved.

BACKACHES. Back pain may increase due to toxins in the lower intestine. The blood vessels that draw nutrients from the colon are very close to the nerves of the spine. Back pain often decreases after elimination of the toxins. Back exercises also can relieve some pain. A cold pack also will help.

BLACKOUTS. During fasting the body conserves energy. The heart pumps slower and blood pressure lowers. Standing or moving quickly from a resting position will cause the blood to flow to the legs. For a few seconds, the brain may not get enough oxygen, causing blackouts and dizziness. To stop a blackout, get down on one knee or sit. Lowering your center of gravity will instantly stop a blackout. Blackouts are more frequent during water fasting.

HEADACHES. Toxins can cause muscle tightness in the neck and shoulders. This can result in tension headaches. Massaging the neck and shoulders will help relieve the tension. Headaches and stomachaches can also be a result of salt, sugar, or caffeine withdrawal. Eliminating those items from your diet prior to fasting is the best way to avoid these pains.

NAUSEA. When waste is released too quickly by the lymph glands, some of the toxic overload is taken by the liver and secreted with bile into the stomach. This causes nausea. Drinking water or carrot juice will dilute the bile and toxin mixture helping to flush it from the system.

TIREDNESS. Tiredness is normal during water or restricted juice fasting. If the tiredness is too much, increase the quantity of sweet juices like melon and carrot juice.

HUNGER PANGS. Your body is adjusting from using the food in your digestive tract. Psyllium Bulk can help eliminate hunger pangs and also aids in cleansing the body. Several capsules can be taken throughout the day with plenty of water.

CAUTIONS:

Underweight, Pregnancy, Fatigue, Nursing, Alkaline type, Pre and Post surgery, Low immunity, Mental illness, Weak heart, Cancer, Low blood pressure, Peptic Ulcers, Cardiac arrhythmia's, Nutritional deficiencies: If you fall into any of these categories you may want to discuss your plan to embark on a fast with your physician or other health care provider.

YOU SHOULD STOP FASTING IF YOU EXPERIENCE SEVERE PAIN OR SWELLING.

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