Today's Question

Is fasting an effective diet tactic? What is the best method and duration
of a fast? What other sorts of health benefits or detriments are involved?

-- Anonymous

words

Today's Answer

(Published 07/09/1996)

Fasting is absolutely not an effective diet tool

because it will alter your metabolism in a direction
that actually makes it harder to shed pounds. Most
people, when they go back to eating, usually
compensate by upping their consumption of
calories. (By fasting, I mean taking in nothing
other than water or herbal teas. Restricting
yourself to fruits, fruit juices, or other liquids can
be helpful, but not in exactly the same way as
fasting.)

There are benefits to fasting for purposes other

than weight loss. I have experimented with fasting
one day a week, consuming nothing but water or
herb tea. This can be a useful physical and
psychological discipline. Many people experience a
clearer mental state and increased energy after a
short-term fast.

Short-term fasting for up to three days is a good

home remedy for illnesses like colds, flus, and
toxic conditions generally. Combine it with rest
and a good mental state. Drink plenty of water to
help remove toxic products from your system. Also
remember to conserve energy, stay warm, and
break your fast with light, plain foods.
Long-term fasting - more than three days - can be
beneficial but also dangerous, so do not attempt it
without expert supervision. It is a drastic
technique. I know some people who have fasted
from one to three months and achieved complete
remissions of diseases that resisted all other
treatments (bronchial asthma, rheumatoid
arthritis, ulcerative colitis).