Feeling a
bit sluggish after hibernating over the last few months? Need to get the energy
moving, clean out those clogged up vessels and get the immune system back on
track?
At Hopewood Health Retreat, we guide our patients
through two types of fasting—water fasting and juice therapy. A juice diet or a restricted diet is
not strictly fasting, however they can both achieve similar benefits and in
some cases may be recommended in preference to fasting. Juice or water fasting helps you to feel
revitalised, prepare for the summer months and feel motivated to pick up your
exercise to where you know it should be for good health!
The human body has an incredible capacity to heal itself
and fasting – going without food – can help to flush out and eliminate poisons
and toxins, balance the body and improve overall health and wellbeing. Juice or
water therapy not only helps to improve health conditions, it boosts the
nervous system. It also cleanses the liver which in turn cleans the blood and
can slow down, or possibly reverse, the progress of the ageing process by
lowering free radical damage.
What is juice therapy?
Simply put, fasting cleanses the body, giving our
internal organs a chance to rest. Fresh
juice is referred to as ‘live’ food because it still contains active enzymes.
Packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, fresh juice requires minimal
energy to digest. Once absorbed by the body, the fruit begins to establish a
better acid/ alkaline balance within the body.
On a juice detox a state of partial
fasting can be achieved relative to the degree of calorie restriction. A juice
diet comes with less of the uncomfortable effects often associated with a full
fast eg weakness, dizziness and headaches. It provides similar benefits of a
full fast but to a lesser degree.
Water fasting therapy
Water Fasting is often considered the
most effective way to increase elimination of waste and enhance the healing
process of the body. Water fasting is not the same as starvation. Unlike
fasting, starvation is a process in which the body uses essential tissue for
fuel, when not eating. Water fasting spares essential tissue (vital organs) while utilising
nonessential tissue (primarily fatty tissue but also adhesions and swellings
etc) for fuel.
What do toxic substances do?
When the
body is exhausted, continually digesting food, or overrun with emotion and
stress, we are more vulnerable to toxic substances clogging our system. Toxins ultimately decrease the flow of vital
nutrients causing irritation and damage to cells, fatigue, inflammation, and
potentially chronic pain or disease.
Why fast?
Just about everybody benefits from
fasting. Even living a relatively healthy lifestyle doesn’t protect the body
from all toxic substances - eating habits, pollution and stress all increase
toxic deposits throughout the body which in time can lead to serious health
issues.
Over the years of
supervising juice and water therapy, we have noted significant improvements in
conditions such as: arthritis, hypertension (high blood pressure), poor
digestion, poor circulation, skin eruptions, chronic back pain, fatigue,
headaches, improved immunity, eczema, chest congestion, allergies, ovarian
cysts. Fasting can also be a great opportunity to kick-start a new lifestyle
change, and as an opportunity to give up smoking.Other benefits include
improved energy levels, less respiratory congestion and clearer eyes. The main
benefit, however, is a more functional liver process.
The liver is
challenged day-to-day by alcohol, viruses, prescription and social drugs,
pesticides, pollutants and poor eating habits. The liver is the seat of
detoxification in the body, capable of deep cleansing and regenerating given
the right environment, such as committing to a juice or water fast.
Weight loss and fasting
Fasting is not a solution
for obesity. The fat you lose during a fast can easily be replenished if you do
not resume a good diet and regular physical activity. Repeated fasts or repeated crash diets are
not advised because they may have the lasting effect of slowing your
metabolism. In this regard it is better have a longer fast less often then
frequent short fasts.
Three basic changes
During a fast the body
needs to spare the breakdown of muscle and enzymes. As the body undergoes a
series of hormonal and metabolic changes energy is drawn from adipose (fat)
tissue allowing the body to conserve its body mass. Typically divided into 3
bio-chemical stages, during a fast the body often undergoes the following process:
1. Glucose – approximately
the first 12 hours. Initially this comes
from your last meal then from glycogen stores in your liver ( glycogenolysis)
2. Amino acids
(gluconeogenesis) provide a fuel source particularly from the 10th
to 40th hour. They come from free amino acids in the circulation,
digestive tract, liver and traces from muscle protein. These amino acids are converted in the liver
to glucose for energy which is also vital for brain function.
3. Fats – from
approximately the 2nd day onward (but particularly from the 3rd
day) adipose tissue begins to be broken down and fats used directly and their
by products, ketones are both becoming the primary source of fuel.
Some symptoms experienced during a fast
Often due to the withdrawal
of caffeine, alcohol, sugar or cigarettes, some side-effects are to be
expected. During a fast it is possible to experience one or a combination of
symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, backaches, and nausea, among others,
and is not unusual to experience temporary symptoms associated with any
previous or existing health problems or injuries. These generally subside over
a day or so and are generally followed by an improvement.
Length of a fast
Because there are many
circumstances that determine who can and how long a fast can continue, the
length is determined on an individual basis. Generally an acute disease such as
a cold require only a short fast and chronic diseases eg arthritis, require a longer
fast.
Breaking a Fast
Juices are the best way of
breaking a fast. Then gradually introduce fruits, then salad vegetables. Next
gradually add cooked vegetables and more substantial foods can be added. Also,
just as when fasting, rest is important. When discontinuing the fast, physical activity
should be gradually resumed. Care must be taken at this stage so that the full
benefits of a fast can be realised.
What else is involved in juice or water therapy?
Hydrotherapy
is another part of the detoxing process. Warm and cool packs are applied to the
liver on a daily basis, to assist in the removal of toxins and waste. In turn,
this also assists in moving the lymph (immune function) and gives a relaxing,
nurturing support to the guest.
Rest in vital. Being able
to relax in a non stressful environment is essential for a good detoxification.
Massage and hydrotherapy are very important parts of this health package,
bringing deep relaxation and tend to support a more peaceful nervous system
whilst assisting in further removal of toxins.
At Hopewood, our
Naturopaths will provide help and support during the entire detox process, as
well as establishing healthy eating practices, an appropriate exercise regime,
and provide nutrition guidelines upon returning home.
Jenny, Doug
and Wendy hope to see you soon!!
*Juice
therapy is not suitable for everyone. Our Naturopath will advise you if it is
suitable for you.
Fasting
should be carried out only under proper supervision.
As we age, most of us should expect to lose a certain degree of
bone density, which is medically known as Osteopenia. Osteoporosis on the other
hand, occurs when there is a loss of bone density beyond the normal amount.
When Osteoporosis is present in the body, the bones become more fragile, which leads
to a heightened risk of bone fractures and breaks. 
