FASTING-2

 METHODS

1. THE JUICE FASTING: 

The best, safest and most effective method of fasting is juice fasting. "During fasting the body burns up and excretes huge amounts of accumulated wastes. We can help this cleansing process by drinking alkaline juice apart from water while fasting ... Elimination of uric acid and other inorganic acids will be accelerated (begin to move more quickly). 

Wholesome food for the person who is impaired in health consists  of fresh, raw, fruit juices and fresh, raw, vegetable juices. This is a juice fast. Three or four times a day, a glass of fresh, raw, juice is given. It may be fruit juice or it may be vegetable juice. Sometimes it may be a fruit-vegetable juice.

The best fruits are citrus or pineapple. The best vegetables are carrots, beets, and/or celery. These are "salad vegetables." The best fruit-vegetable combination juice is carrot and apple.

"Vitamins, minerals, enzymes and trace elements in fresh, raw vegetable and fruit juices are extremely beneficial in normalising all the body processes. They supply essential elements for the body’s own healing activity and cell regeneration and thus speeding the recovery. All juices should be prepared (immediately before drinking) from fresh fruit, seasonal, especially when fresh grapes, oranges or grapefruit are used exclusively, Canned or frozen juice should not be used.

When a person is distressed physically, mentally, or emotionally, this juice diet will bring him back to normal far better than the taking of drugs.

The ordinary staples, such as nuts, bread, cereals, etc., are set aside for a period of a few days to a few weeks (depending on the nature and severity of the condition).

Such a program enables the body to cleanse itself of retained wastes instead of allowing those wastes to remain and cause the organs to deteriorate. It is obvious that thoughtful attention must be given to the matter at each step. When in doubt, pray and proceed carefully.

NOTE: Every home should own a food liquefier and juice extractor. A food blender is good when you are in health, but an electric juicer (juicing machine) in needed both in times of health and illness. A glass of freshly made raw carrot, beet, or celery juice will help the well remain well and the sick get well. This is not fruit and vegetable pulp, but juice.

At such times, we should not use force-feeding by intravenous methods. Such desperate measures do the sick more harm than good. It is true that, at times, the physician must make use of intravenous nourishment—but this is primarily in cases of coma, insulin-shock, or accidental loss of blood. (A similar mistake is made when post-operative cases are fed the same foods that, in a measure, made them sick in the first place.

Extra warmth: While the person is fasting, he needs extra warmth. The extremities (the feet and hands) generally get cold during the fasting period. It is therefore necessary to apply one or two electric pads, or an electric blanket, day and night in order to keep him comfortably warm. Sometimes, a longer cleansing program is needed and a rotation diet is maintained for a time: 

(1) This may involve several days of liquid fasting, followed by several days of juice fast; back and forth. 

(2) It may be several days of liquid fasting, followed by 1-3 days of light meals. 

(3) Or it may be several days of juice fast, followed by light food for 1-3 days, followed by a liquid fast again.

2. LEMON WATER FASTING: 

We have looked at the fruit and vegetable juice fasting. But there is also the fast. A "healing crisis" often occurs at some point in an illness. If the person is experiencing an infection, a healing crisis generally occurs near the beginning of the sickness while there is a fever, etc.

In most cases, a fast should be given during this fever and/or during the healing crisis.

This fast generally consists of water with lemon juice or grapefruit juice, unsweetened, taken by the sick person as often as it can be enjoyed without forcing.

This is a water-lemon fast. It is not a strict water-only fast, which is not as beneficial. Remember that: A water-only fast is generally not the best. In some cases, it is well to have the fast continue for one to three or more days. 

This is especially needed during the healing crisis (which is usually about three days duration, but sometimes as long as seven). At other times, it is best to alternate between fasting and a juice fasting, rotating between a day or two on water and lemon juice fast, a day or two on juices, then back to the water and lemon juice.

Sometimes it is best to give only juices for several days. But, at times, it is best to alternate between a juice fast for a day or two, followed by light meals for a day or two.

As a general rule, it is best not to give light meals until after the primary symptoms (fever, etc.) are past, the crisis is over, and the person is ready to start recuperation (recovery from illness).

3. LIGHT FRUIT MEALS / LIGHT MEALS

Esp. CHRONIC CONDITION: 

If it is a chronic condition, requiring longer fasts, he may need a three-day fast, alternated with three days on light fruit meals or light meals (both are described below). 

Fasting alternated with light fruit meals: A variation which works quite well is to alternate a fast with light fruit meals. The light feeding consists of fresh, raw, fruits—mostly oranges, grapefruit, pineapple, and their juices while the fasting consists of water and lemon juice only. The fast on lemon juice and water gives the whole organism the most effective opportunity to cleanse itself of its accumulated and retained wastes.

But this fasting cannot go on too many days, without the possibility of organic or functional damage. Fasting (living on water and lemon juice) is low-level starvation. So one must be careful and not overdo it.

Do not overdo it! Think, pray, and ask God to help you know what to do next. When in doubt, you may need to move him from a fast to a juice fast for a meal or two. Perhaps a light meal is needed before returning to the fast. Thoughtful desecration is needed.

During the fasting process, the body consumes some of its stored chemicals, including calcium, iron, phosphorus, and various other tissue components. The one who is fasting is very weak, even while lying comfortably in a warm bed. He may get severe palpitations of the heart when he tries to sit up or walk to the bathroom. 

While on a fast, he needs an experienced helper, nurse, or physician. He needs to be observed very carefully. The fast must only be carried to the point where he can take it with psychological comfort. When in doubt, put him back on additional nourishment. This may be a light fruit meal; it may be best to put him on the juice diet of fresh, raw, fruit and vegetable juices. Or he may need a light meal (described below).

If he is in the midst of a healing crisis which frequently does not require more than 1-3 days before the fever breaks, it is best to keep him on the water-lemon juice fast, with possible rotation back and forth to fruit and vegetable juice. 

Remember, if he can remain on the water-lemon fast during the crisis, he will recover more quickly. But you must watch him, and do what is best in the situation. But if the crisis is extended longer than three days, you may need to give him a meal of rotational juice or food.

QUESTIONS

1. What are the methods of fasting?

2. What happens to body during fasting?

3. What is juice fast?

4. When juice should be prepared?

5. What are the best fruits and vegetable for juice fasting?

6. What extra care should be taken during fasting?

7. What type of fasting should be done during healing crises ?

8. Do we need to add any sweetening?

9. Light fruit or light meals are mostly done for......