Do you Fast and/or Cleanse?

[laintpe]

I recently tried a one week cleanse and on the third day I started to pass out, thought my glycogen stores were depleted, that my brain was feeding off of vital tissue and dying, so I called 911. I probably overreacted a little, but, you just watch(!), someday my paranoia will prove to be useful.

Anyway, a few days after that I played tennis with some of the vegans from the Sac vegan group, one of whom is a raw foodist (I have recently been attempting (and failing at) raw foodism) and asked him about his cleansing practices (?). When I mentioned losing consciousness, he nonchalantly replied, "Oh, yeah, I pass out all the time when I fast. I go with it, let myself pass out, and wake up later." I find that to be a little unsettling... and I'm sure there is a way to "cleanse yourself" without shorting your brain on glucose.

So, my questions.

Do you fast or cleanse (regularly, for religious purposes, randomly, even for blood tests, at any time/for any reason)?

What do you consume when you cleanse (some people only consume liquids, etc.)?

Have you completed any sort of cleanse that did not compromise your consciousness?

Do you think that there are benefits to cleansing/fasting?

Do you notice any changes in your thinking (do you find that you are more clearheaded, etc.) when you fast/cleanse?

When I started raw foodism, I didn't really see any point in cleansing, but most foods make me feel sick, so when someone suggested I try a cleanse... I went for it. I doubt I will try a strict fast again, but I'd like to know if anyone has a safer cleanse that has worked well for them because constantly feeling nauseated isn't much fun either.

[SurlyAdam]

My body doesn't seem to appreciate food, so I don't really eat. I'm also going through sort of a destructive, this life thing is taking forever phase. But there was a time...

I brought up at one point my digestive issues with a freind how's a nutritionist. She practices regular cleaning and stresses a natural foods diet. She also looks even younger and more beautiful than she did when we were in high school. When I stuck to her dietary suggestions, I felt amazing and looked years younger myself.

This is what she suggested as I began:

Here is a quick summary of the pro-biotic options I discussed with you today. Try one or several and keep doing it for several weeks. If you can, try to include living foods (like raw sauerkraut or properly prepared miso soup) into your diet permanently.

1) Raw, fermented pickles: "Bubbies" brand (found at Whole Foods and the Wedge or most co-ops for sure).

2) Miso, either used raw as a condiment on food (you can make a nice dressing with raw miso, lemon juice, a little olive oil and natural mustard-not yellow is what I mean). I recommend having a cup of miso soup, three times a day. Make hot water (just hot to the touch), start with a tsp. of miso and add more to taste, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, green onion or naturally brewed tamari or shoyu (soy sauce) are a nice addition. Just make sure the water is not too hot.

3) Goat yogurt. Some people who are lactose intolerant can tolerate goat or sheep milk, especially when it is cultured as is yogurt. Just a thought if you want to try it just have a spoonfull a couple times a day.

4) Capsule probiotics- you can find these at a natural foods store or Whole Foods. They should be in a cooler case as they need to be kept cold to stay fresh.

As far as the diet...try to eat more vegetables and fruits, less meat, some grains or grain porridge (like soft cooked brown or white rice, oatmeal, etc)...stay away from raw salads for a few days. Soups, and easy to digest foods are good. Drink fasting tea or "detox" tea which you can find also at WF or a health store.

Try substituting one meal a day with tea or the master cleanse drink...or simply the fasting or detox tea. I personally would not suggest the Master Cleanse for you right now...maybe down the road if you are serious about detoxing...there are many ways to detox. Raw cleanses, brown rice fasts, etc...but you may want to start more gently than the Master Cleanse. For more info on that though, here are some links...

The Master Cleanse (http://www.therawfoodsite.com/mastercleanse.htm)

Master Cleanse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_Cleanse) and this guy, we do his cleanse and have read his books...you may find some interesting tidbits on this website to begin with..

cleanse.net (http://cleanse.net)

The suggestions above are probably a good start. For me, I found the pro-biotics made for a major improvement in digestion, which seemed to be the source of my issues. Once my digestive functions were in line, a mostly vegetarian diet kept me in top shape.

Thanks for bringing the topic back to my mind. Makes me think about my health again.

[Jack Flak]

Once. Bad idea.

[laintpe]

^ thanks for your response, surly. i wonder why she stresses no raw salads- that's interesting. it looks like a cleanse i'd be willing to try... very raw/vegan friendly.

[Darjur]

No.

[Randomnity]

No, I think it's misguided and unwise. Maybe there's someone here who's into that, though.

[rhinosaur]

I'm rewriting this post more coherently. I fast occasionally, when my body needs it. Fasts can be healthy and beneficial, but they can also be very harmful.

- One week is way too long to fast. Anything more than about 48 hours does more harm than good.
- Listen to your body! I cannot stress this enough. If your body says it's time to stop, stop. A fast should not be a punishment, or a test of endurance.
- Drink juice and tea, and chew on stuff like ginger root.
- Transition into the fast gradually. I like to make my last meal a light salad, or soup.
- Wikipedia quote on transitioning out: "This usually involves drinking "full strength" juices for a day or two, while slowly adding in soups, then fruit, vegetables and nuts before resuming a regular diet."

I wouldn't recommend a one-week fast for anyone; it's too long. I also wouldn't recommend fasting for a vegan; their low-energy diet is already clean, and stopping it outright could be dangerous.

[spirilis]

I've fasted once before for the general 'detox' reasons. I was having trouble where anytime I ate a meal I felt like crap, and I'm still not 100% sure what brought that on but I decided to fast for a few days. The exception is that I did have *one* small can of low-sodium V8 each day. This was during the summer.

After the 2nd day or so I did start to feel weak at times, but I never actually fainted--just felt lightheaded and weak. One interesting effect was during my drive to work, I was driving in 80-degree weather with my windows *up* and no A/C, clear skies, and I felt fine. No sweating. Normally I have the A/C cranked up like crazy in those conditions. It was kinda cool.
When I broke the fast I couldn't eat much, which I thought was a pleasant surprise. Normally I have a voracious appetite and not nearly the calorie expenditure to justify it. I felt a lot better afterwards when I ate.
Come to think of it, I actually feel like I could use another one of those 3-day fasts. Maybe when it's warmer out...


I did tell my doctor about it afterwards and he said he didn't recommend doing that, at least not for weight loss. He said the body tends to shift itself so it takes on weight easier once you complete the fast and start eating again. I get that; in future instances I will probably ramp up my eating gradually using my current dietary guidelines in proportion (currently following a dietary plan laid out by my dietitian so I know the proportion of grains/milk/protein/veggies/fruit to eat each day) and include some light exercise in the mix to ramp up my metabolism.

[cascadeco]

No. Given my metabolism, relatively low weight to begin with, and being prone to feeling lightheaded, it would be a bad idea. Plus I fail to see much purpose in it.

[Sytpg]

Hell no. I love eating way too much. Perhaps, unless there's a medical reason of some sort I think it's a pretty stupid idea. And by stupid I mean dangerous. I mean, what's the point anyway?

[Lady X]

i have once....felt like shit.
but i recently discovered i have low blood sugar and i'm supposed to eat frequently...so...not eating is not so great for me.

[Mitzy]

ive tried but i cant ever seem stick to it :(

[EcK]

i have once....felt like shit.
but i recently discovered i have low blood sugar and i'm supposed to eat frequently...so...not eating is not so great for me.

Drop that candy bar already!
ive tried but i cant ever seem stick to it :(
The trick is NOT to eat.
It's confusing at first.

[Mitzy]

Drop that candy bar already!

The trick is NOT to eat.
It's confusing at first.

lol yea but i do it anyway cuz i stop caring. im like WHATEVER EFF THAT >=0
but the next day somehow turns out to be "day one" and it continues at "day one" for days until i just finally give up. meh, whatever

[GargoylesLegacy]

Do you fast or cleanse?
I did that once until now. Never thought I could do it, because I just like the ritual of eating and everything. But it worked. Maybe I will do that again in the (near) future.

What do you consume when you cleanse?
Water, tea, maybe fruit juice or bouillon

Do you think that there are benefits to cleansing/fasting?
Yes! You are more awake because your body does not need any energy to digest food. Also you have more time because you don't eat. It feels good.

Do you notice any changes in your thinking when you fast/cleanse?
Yes, as I said: more awake, faster and somewhat "high". It was interesting.

I probably need to do it again anyways, because my stomach is quite sensitive to stress. I always either need to take Bach Flowers or just eat nothing.
I am kind of surprised to see quite a few people doing this, though. I mean voluntarily.

[BerberElla]

I've only ever fasted for religious reasons, and it's not fasting in the way you are speaking of, it was not eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset for 30 days. Considering the feats that were laid out every time we broke fast it was hardly cleansing but I remember passing out as a child trying to run the 1200 metre race whilst fasting, man did that ever suck.

I would like to try one of the cleansing fasts, to try to get my system back in check after years of sugar and caffeine, which I am still terribly addicted to.

But willpower and me broke up years ago, we are barely on speaking terms these days.

[laintpe]

"No. Given my metabolism, relatively low weight to begin with, and being prone to feeling lightheaded, it would be a bad idea. Plus I fail to see much purpose in it."

"Hell no. I love eating way too much. Perhaps, unless there's a medical reason of some sort I think it's a pretty stupid idea. And by stupid I mean dangerous. I mean, what's the point anyway?"
__________________

The purpose of cleansing/fasting I'm referring to IS NOT weight loss... and yes, there are benefits to cleansing.

"What is cleansing? It is a process of eliminating toxins, internal toxins, from the body. Every day our bodies are presented with environmental toxins, including pollution, airborne viruses and substances from the foods we eat. Normally our livers help us process these pollutants, but it is impossible over time for our bodies to completely eradicate all of the poisons we are subject to.

Consider for example your home furnace. It has a filter you place in it. In the beginning the filter works fine. Over time however you must clean or replace the filter or it does not work as efficiently. Our bodies work the same way. Since we cannot replace our bodies we must periodically cleanse them. When we do not, we become sick, we fall prey to immune system illnesses or digestive illnesses. We catch colds more easily or have difficulty getting over them.

Many people do not realize a simple cleanse can help them with these problems. Some people are less likely to have trouble with toxins including individuals on raw food diets or similar diets because they do not put as much pollution in their bodies from the foods they eat.

This does not mean however that they do not need to periodically cleanse. Some simple ways to cleanse include ingesting certain herbs that help bind or chelate certain chemicals or heavy metals out of the body. Some health food stores offer herb combinations that you can buy that help your body purge toxins. Other ways to remove toxins from the body include by fasting and by mono-diets, described below.

Fasting

Fasting is an opportunity like cleansing to help detoxify the body and heal the body. For many it is also an opportunity to heal the mind or engage in a period of spiritual cleansing. People can fast for a period of 2 to 7 days or more, although this is not recommended unless someone is supervised. Not all people should fast including those with chronic health conditions unless they are supervised by a health practitioner.

Often fasts are useful for overcoming health conditions, so it may be helpful after all. Many find fasting helps boost the immune system, and decrease the side effects of many health conditions including arthritis and asthma. In many countries fasting is quite a part of daily life and religious life, and in others used to treat conditions like allergies. Fasting may help you detect certain allergies especially food allergies if you eliminate them from your diet.

To start a fast it is always best to start with light meals the day before. Many people begin with short two day fasts and work their way up to longer fasts. For many a fast consists of drinking water or diluted juices although the sugar in the juice is not traditionally a true fast, but may be useful for someone that requires more of a restricted diet than a full fast. Lemon and water may be more appropriate.

Some of the side effects of a fast may include:
Headache
Fatigue
Nausea
Anxiety
Chills

How Often To Fast

You can fast as little or as often as you like, but you shouldn't engage in it too often because you don't want your body to go into starvation mode. A two day fast once four times a year will offer your body plenty of time to recharge and remove toxins. This will not place too much strain on your body. Some people refer to this as seasonal cleaning or spring cleansing. You can perform a fast once for each of the seasons for example.

The minimum fast to achieve a good result is usually 48 hours or two days. Fasting will help you look your best, avoid catching common viral illnesses as often, and will help you feel more energetic more often.

Mono-Diets

Many people have not heard of mono-diets. They are an optimal way according to some to help detoxify the body and lose weight. A mono-diet is sometimes much easier for someone that has enjoyed a raw food diet because they are used to not splurging on a bunch of processed and junk foods.

A mono-diet as the name implied means eating one food product only for a defined period of time. So, you may decide for a period of 7 days to eat just apples, bananas or pineapples.

This type of diet is not something that would be healthy for an individual to live on, because it would not provide the proper volumes of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients to sustain life. However, for purposes of cleansing, or a pre-fast or pre-cleanse diet a mono-diet would be very appropriate.

Usually someone tries a mono-diet for just 3 days or thereabouts. This is a fine amount of time to enjoy a mono-diet especially if trying it for the first time.

Here are some ways to try the mono-diet:
2-3 days of vegetables of any kind eaten raw with no salt
2-3 days of fruits
2-3 days of one type of vegetable
2-3 days of one type of fruit

It is very important that you drink a lot of water during this time to help your body purge toxins and to help keep you hydrated. This will also stimulate your colon to relieve your bowels of any built-up toxins."

I know this article mentioned weight loss... but I am very anti-diet, very pro-health-as-a-lifestyle, so I'm mostly focusing on the health benefits and cleansing purposes of fasting.

[laintpe]

Do you fast or cleanse?
I did that once until now. Never thought I could do it, because I just like the ritual of eating and everything. But it worked. Maybe I will do that again in the (near) future.

What do you consume when you cleanse?
Water, tea, maybe fruit juice or bouillon

Do you think that there are benefits to cleansing/fasting?
Yes! You are more awake because your body does not need any energy to digest food. Also you have more time because you don't eat. It feels good.

Do you notice any changes in your thinking when you fast/cleanse?
Yes, as I said: more awake, faster and somewhat "high". It was interesting.

I probably need to do it again anyways, because my stomach is quite sensitive to stress. I always either need to take Bach Flowers or just eat nothing.
I am kind of surprised to see quite a few people doing this, though. I mean voluntarily.

thank you!

[Metamorphosis]

I eat based on intermittent fasting so I understand the principles, but what you are talking about is not healthy. It's a lack of trust in your body. Your body tells you when you need to eat and to some degree, what you need to eat.

If you're passing out, your body is not getting any healthier on the diet.

The good points made by GargoylesLegacy are possible with intermittent fasting without the negative side effects of starvation/death.

[laintpe]

I eat based on intermittent fasting so I understand the principles, but what you are talking about is not healthy. It's a lack of trust in your body. Your body tells you when you need to eat and to some degree, what you need to eat.

If you're passing out, your body is not getting any healthier on the diet.

The good points made by GargoylesLegacy are possible with intermittent fasting without the negative side effects of starvation/death.

Thanks. I also agree that passing out is a sign of a major problem- which is why I ended that fast prematurely and am now looking into less restrictive methods of cleansing... what you call "intermittent fasting", i'm assuming.

[Metamorphosis]

Thanks. I also agree that passing out is a sign of a major problem- which is why I ended that fast prematurely and am now looking into less restrictive methods of cleansing... what you call "intermittent fasting", i'm assuming.

What I'm talking about is essentially eating healthy, but eating as much as you want only at certain times. Every day, though.

[Randomnity]

Look, I can quote pseudo-reliable sources too: Health benefits of detox diets not proven (http://www.canada.com/globaltv/national/health/story.html?id=3b648202-ef4f-4276-baf9-179053a54baf)

I'll think about believing it despite common sense when someone does a scientific study showing it has a better effect than a regular healthy diet.

Of course, not eating food that's bad for you will be beneficial, whether it's for a few days or longer...

[laintpe]

What I'm talking about is essentially eating healthy, but eating as much as you want only at certain times. Every day, though.

I do have reason to believe that even though I am mostly raw and vegan that small amounts of cleansing (something like 4 times a year- what the article I posted above suggests) are beneficial. I am negatively effected by most foods... some sources have claimed that cleansing can help with mild food intolerance... and really, i would cleanse if that was the only benefit. i feel sick after i eat almost daily... and i've been like this for years (before i was vegan, too, but it did subside a little when i went vegan... and a little more when i was almost entirely raw).

[laintpe]

Look, I can quote pseudo-reliable sources too: Health benefits of detox diets not proven (http://www.canada.com/globaltv/national/health/story.html?id=3b648202-ef4f-4276-baf9-179053a54baf)

I'll think about believing it despite common sense when someone does a scientific study showing it has a better effect than a regular healthy diet.

Of course, not eating food that's bad for you will be beneficial, whether it's for a few days or longer...

a more reliable source, page 107

The Detox Diet: A How-To & When-To ... - Google Book Search (http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=1n2COj6fXyIC&oi=fnd&pg=PR4&dq=detox+cleansing+benefits&ots=FFAOwqD0IG&sig=9o_yRWgb0o_MJD-QFRRpucXgNEo#PPP1,M1)

[Randomnity]

Umm...I don't think someone who makes a living from selling people that stuff is a reliable source. Nice try though. (an example of a reliable source would be a scientific study by unbiased observers, published in a peer-reviewed journal)

Anyway I'm not trying to start anything, just pointing out that there isn't any actual (ie, proven) evidence for this stuff. As long as it's not harming anyone it's no worse than astrology - maybe even better, since it encourages conscientiousness about your diet.

[Darjur]

"What is cleansing? It is a process of eliminating toxins, internal toxins, from the body. Every day our bodies are presented with environmental toxins, including pollution, airborne viruses and substances from the foods we eat. Normally our livers help us process these pollutants, but it is impossible over time for our bodies to completely eradicate all of the poisons we are subject to.

Consider for example your home furnace. It has a filter you place in it. In the beginning the filter works fine. Over time however you must clean or replace the filter or it does not work as efficiently. Our bodies work the same way. Since we cannot replace our bodies we must periodically cleanse them. When we do not, we become sick, we fall prey to immune system illnesses or digestive illnesses. We catch colds more easily or have difficulty getting over them.

Uhm... No.

Living organisms "regenerate" damaged body parts depending on the damage level they suffer.

In actuality, I'd say that "fasting or cleansing" would limit the ehaling capabilities because you do not give your body the energy required to produce cells.

Other than that, given a prolonged time of not ingesting any food and your body starts to seriously cannibalize itself. The first thing to go is muscle, because it's a high-energy requirement organ, thus it's dumped to save more energy because your body starts to think that a famine is going on.

Metabolism starts to go down to a crawl which indeed destroys your immune system, not strengthens it. Cellular division is slowed down because of the lack of nutrients which makes one incredibly suspectable to damage.




Sorry, but I doubt that the people living in poverty driven areas in Africa feel very healthy due to their "clean" bodies.

[Anja]

The neat thing about the human body is that we come equipped with our own sewer crew. :devil:

We are automatically a handy-dandy self-cleaning machine if we live a healthy lifestyle.

No need to tinker with what works.

[cascadeco]

The purpose of cleansing/fasting I'm referring to IS NOT weight loss... and yes, there are benefits to cleansing.

"What is cleansing? It is a process of.......................................
.........................

I know its purpose isn't weight loss. I stated what I did, although maybe irrelevant to the topic at hand, because they're a few of many reasons I would not fast. In addition, I don't have issues or sensitivities to food, I eat a very balanced diet (and my digestive system is awesome, haha), am quite content with my activity level, and consider myself healthy.

It's perfectly fine if you and others see a reason and benefit from doing so, but no need to provide all the 'facts' to 'sell' it to everyone who chooses not to do it.

You asked the question, I responded. I don't need/want to cleanse. And Randomnity speaks for my other thoughts on this subject.

[Metamorphosis]

Drink some magnesium citrate. Cleanse complete.

[YourLocalJesus]

I'm not much for healthy food, I'm a gourmet. According to some. :)
However I do "fast" for non-religious purposes a few times a year. When I do, I only eat fish, salad and vegetables, soup, dark bread, I only drink water etc. I do this like a week or more in a row. Sometimes up to three weeks, if deemed necessary.

I don't know, but it really feels as if my body is cleaner afterwards. Since I don't stop eating, the metabolism isn't set into starvation, but since I don't eat very little carbohydrates and fat, I generally lose a few pounds.

[Grayscale]

i dont... i rely too much on my daily nutrients to willingly go without for any long period of time.

within my 'pyramid of priorities'... nutrition is part of the base, along with plenty of sleep and cleanliness.

[whatever]

nope- I like food

It only makes sense to me that if you eat like you should and get excercize, sleep and drink plenty of water the body will take care of itself. Otherwise humans would have evolved different digestive systems years ago :)

Plus, I read in the NY Times a few years ago that "cleansing" does nothing that eating plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet doesn't... and it's pretty harmful and socially counterproductive to go without food :unsure:

[laintpe]

Umm...I don't think someone who makes a living from selling people that stuff is a reliable source. Nice try though. (an example of a reliable source would be a scientific study by unbiased observers, published in a peer-reviewed journal)

Anyway I'm not trying to start anything, just pointing out that there isn't any actual (ie, proven) evidence for this stuff. As long as it's not harming anyone it's no worse than astrology - maybe even better, since it encourages conscientiousness about your diet.

lol I know. I used google scholar and the only results were books... by random registered dietitians and physicians... so it was the closest thing to reliable I could find. the registered dietitian i know is neutral on cleansing... which is to be expected from an RD.



Other than that, given a prolonged time of not ingesting any food and your body starts to seriously cannibalize itself. The first thing to go is muscle, because it's a high-energy requirement organ, thus it's dumped to save more energy because your body starts to think that a famine is going on.

Sorry, but I doubt that the people living in poverty driven areas in Africa feel very healthy due to their "clean" bodies.

Yeah... I'm not talking about prolonged, self-induced starvation... obviously.

nope- I like food

It only makes sense to me that if you eat like you should and get excercize, sleep and drink plenty of water the body will take care of itself. Otherwise humans would have evolved different digestive systems years ago :)

Plus, I read in the NY Times a few years ago that "cleansing" does nothing that eating plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet doesn't... and it's pretty harmful and socially counterproductive to go without food :unsure:

yes... i just tend to get bored with my current routine... moderation is so confining... i'm very health conscious, but i need something new every now and then. i even resort to eating plain raw kale, because i need it to be a little more challenging. although, i am finding raw veganism to be really hard.

I know its purpose isn't weight loss. I stated what I did, although maybe irrelevant to the topic at hand, because they're a few of many reasons I would not fast. In addition, I don't have issues or sensitivities to food, I eat a very balanced diet (and my digestive system is awesome, haha), am quite content with my activity level, and consider myself healthy.

It's perfectly fine if you and others see a reason and benefit from doing so, but no need to provide all the 'facts' to 'sell' it to everyone who chooses not to do it.


i'm not trying to convince anyone else (especially since i've only tried it once.. very unsuccessfully)... i really don't care what anyone else eats (it's not my place, and i get extremely annoyed when people tell me what to eat- so that's the last thing i want to do to you =P)- i'm just curious about those who do cleanse. the raw foodist who suggested it has defeated all of my arguments against raw foodism... and i actually was on the fence with this one... but i wanted to take his side to see if other's agreed. i especially didn't want people to think this was some sort of diet driven topic since synarch already gets on my case about food... in a joking way, but i don't want it to become more than a joke.

there are many different ways to be healthy... and cleansing may or may not be one of them.

[Anja]

You may want to do some research about the rebound effect fasting can have. Many who do this in their youth have problems keeping their weight down in their later years.

[Kyrielle]

I recently tried a one week cleanse and on the third day I started to pass out, thought my glycogen stores were depleted, that my brain was feeding off of vital tissue and dying, so I called 911. I probably overreacted a little, but, you just watch(!), someday my paranoia will prove to be useful.

Anyway, a few days after that I played tennis with some of the vegans from the Sac vegan group, one of whom is a raw foodist (I have recently been attempting (and failing at) raw foodism) and asked him about his cleansing practices (?). When I mentioned losing consciousness, he nonchalantly replied, "Oh, yeah, I pass out all the time when I fast. I go with it, let myself pass out, and wake up later." I find that to be a little unsettling... and I'm sure there is a way to "cleanse yourself" without shorting your brain on glucose.

Sounds scary. :shock: I've nearly passed out from lack of food, too. It has led me to believe my body is rather sensitive to lowering glucose levels. Anyway..

Do you fast or cleanse (regularly, for religious purposes, randomly, even for blood tests, at any time/for any reason)?

Yes, to an extent. When I'm working on a project and I'm in the "zone" I don't eat or drink much. I don't want to. I don't even know food or anything else exists. That's how much energy I'm trying to put into focusing on what I'm doing. Sometimes I find working on an empty stomach leads to more focus. Other times...it drives me to distraction. It's all about paying careful attention to how I'm feeling at the time.

One thing I do know is working on a full stomach is very bad. It makes me too sleepy and slows my brain down too much. I need that slight rush you get when you start getting a bit hungry. However, after I'm done with whatever I'm doing, or I'm at a place where I can take a long break, I'll stuff my face.

What do you consume when you cleanse (some people only consume liquids, etc.)?

Water. Soda.

Have you completed any sort of cleanse that did not compromise your consciousness?

Yes. I didn't go without food for more than a day. One time I did do that, and I nearly passed out the next morning (took all my will to fight it and choke down something to keep me from completely going out). I DON'T recommend that.

Do you think that there are benefits to cleansing/fasting?

I think short periods of fasting are all right as the increased alertness can help from time to time. But on the whole, it's much healthier to eat regularly.

Do you notice any changes in your thinking (do you find that you are more clearheaded, etc.) when you fast/cleanse?

There's a degree. Eat too little for too long, and your brain starts getting muddled, tired, and you'll feel really irritable and get headaches and it's just a mess. Eat too much at once, and you'll fall asleep, not think clearly, feel sluggish. Somewhere in the middle is the ideal point. The point where you feel neither hungry nor satiated. You just are, at the moment. When you start to tip towards not eating for a while, your head will get a bit clearer because your brain is trying to put you into "forage" mode. (Maybe it's just me, but my sense of smell is much sharper...makes walking home when someone is BBQing something torture...)


I wouldn't recommend it regularly.

Raw foodism sounds kinda...bad for you. Not bad for you in a fattening way, just bad nutritionally. Like it sounds like you might end up missing out on proteins that you might only get from cooking certain beans and grains (can't have potatoes, they're poisonous raw...can't have kidney beans raw) if you don't know what you're doing. While cooking food does cause the substance to lose some of its nutritional value, I think what ends up getting missed is that more foods are available to be eaten because they are safe to eat when cooked and quite healthy for you. (Sorry, I'm biased. I can't imagine life without delicious fluffy breads.)

But I'm sure whoever is adamant about it makes sure they get all the right nutrients with careful planning. And I don't doubt they find themselves feeling lighter and more healthy. Their diet is pretty close to what we used to eat thousands of years ago as hunters and gatherers. Just throw in a little bit of meat every once an a while and you have it.

[Darjur]

Yeah... I'm not talking about prolonged, self-induced starvation... obviously.

Prolonged in this case means less than a day. After a day without a sufficient amount of calories, your body thinks that it is starving.

If you want to "clean" your body. Start a highly varied 1850-2350 kcal diet filled with complex carbohydrates, highly limited amount of saturated fats, high amounts of vitamins and proteins. And for gods sake, don't ignore meat, don't over eat it but don't become a stupid vegan. Seperate all of this into 5-8 small meals.

Oh yes, one more thing. This is an eternal diet, meaning, you do not quit it.

[laintpe]

Prolonged in this case means less than a day. After a day without a sufficient amount of calories, your body thinks that it is starving.

If you want to "clean" your body. Start a highly varied 1850-2350 kcal diet filled with complex carbohydrates, highly limited amount of saturated fats, high amounts of vitamins and proteins. And for gods sake, don't ignore meat, don't over eat it but don't become a stupid vegan. Separate all of this into 5-8 small meals.

Oh yes, one more thing. This is an eternal diet, meaning, you do not quit it.

First of all, the case I mentioned in the start of this thread was the only time I tried a fast... it is not a hobby of mine. Ummm i've been vegan for 3 years... and adopting that diet is the main reason why i no longer take medication that made me very sick... my doctor and a registered dietitian agree that it is was a good move given my obviously improved health. and "high amounts of protein".. no.. adequate amounts. On top of being vegan, I'm mostly raw... I already monitor what I eat very closely... and because I engage in high levels of prolonged physical activity I have to eat closer to 2700 kcals. Anyway, this wasn't supposed to turn into a thread about my personal nutrition habits, it was supposed to be for those who do cleanse and whether or not they find it beneficial.

[JocktheMotie]

The only issue I see with the fasting as a method for cleansing is that at some point your body does start breaking down fat for energy, and that's not a clean process at all. Also, a lot of toxins are fat soluble, and as your body breaks down the fat you're getting them flushed into your bloodstream. That's partially why you feel so crappy during a low carb diet. Cleansing itself seems like a good idea, but the fasting part is what I don't get, and only seems like it would help someone who already had a pretty clean diet in the first place.

[laintpe]

The only issue I see with the fasting as a method for cleansing is that at some point your body does start breaking down fat for energy, and that's not a clean process at all. Also, a lot of toxins are fat soluble, and as your body breaks down the fat you're getting them flushed into your bloodstream. That's partially why you feel so crappy during a low carb diet. Cleansing itself seems like a good idea, but the fasting part is what I don't get, and only seems like it would help someone who already had a pretty clean diet in the first place.

yes, i agree. cleansing through purer foods like organic fruits and vegetables... not fasting.

[The Third Rider]

Seriously, I am not sure how you guys do it, its hard for me to control what I eat sometimes. I don't think I can go cokmpletely vegan and the OP sounds scary, I mean passing out? :shock:

[laintpe]

Seriously, I am not sure how you guys do it, its hard for me to control what I eat sometimes. I don't think I can go cokmpletely vegan and the OP sounds scary, I mean passing out? :shock:

Yeah.... I occassionally get a little extreme (the idea of restrictive fasting, etc.)... and as far as the passing out... well, I took the advice of my (especially odd) raw food friend... who... well, he was voted "Greenest person in Sacramento" and I'm starting to get the impression that he cares more about the environment and animals than he does himself/humans. On a random note, when we went on a walk... he started picking fruit from random front yards and eating it (I don't know- I thought that was.. different)... and we had to avoid all streets with overhead power lines and running cars... or he would refuse to go forward. hahahaha

[The Third Rider]

Your friend sounds...well....."interesting".:shock: I think I will stick to eating T-bone steak god knows my body doesn't need any more abuse. On the other hand does anyone know a good/safe/sane way to detox your body without the side effects of passing out and potentially calling 911?:D

[Trinity]

Some people at work are doing a detox at the moment, they haven’t eaten for 4 days, all they’re having is some weird concoction from what looks like an olive oil tin with freshly squeezed lemons and water. They keep saying how hungry they are. I don’t get it. I like eating.

Last time they did it to help quit smoking. Think they decided over a ciggy to give it another go :rolleyes:

[laintpe]

Some people at work are doing a detox at the moment, they haven’t eaten for 4 days, all they’re having is some weird concoction from what looks like an olive oil tin with freshly squeezed lemons and water. They keep saying how hungry they are. I don’t get it. I like eating.

Last time they did it to help quit smoking. Think they decided over a ciggy to give it another go :rolleyes:

lol I think that would make a good "The Office" episode.

[Fairy...]

I believe that's our liver's job - to cleanse, detox etc, so I don't think going on a 'special' diet is really that beneficial. I doubt any of these diets have been scientifically proven - just a craze thats been going on for a number of years. Best advice - eat plenty of vegetables and fruit, wholegrains, legumes daily - there is an abundance of good scientific evidence out there in support of this.

[FDG]

Prolonged in this case means less than a day. After a day without a sufficient amount of calories, your body thinks that it is starving.

If you want to "clean" your body. Start a highly varied 1850-2350 kcal diet filled with complex carbohydrates, highly limited amount of saturated fats, high amounts of vitamins and proteins. And for gods sake, don't ignore meat, don't over eat it but don't become a stupid vegan. Seperate all of this into 5-8 small meals.

Oh yes, one more thing. This is an eternal diet, meaning, you do not quit it.

+10000000000

[kyuuei]

i have to say I fast everytime food is not available to me. :D

Srsly... I like food. and I like the feeling of food in my tummy. and I like knowing I won't pass out from not eating. Im such a puss when it comes to this.. If my tummy growls, I think my brain is trying to eat itself alive :doh:

[LucrativeSid]

I have fasted before, mostly just because I like experimenting with things. I realized that even though billions of people in the world are hungry, I'd never felt hungry before. Even my coworkers complain that they are "starving" when they haven't eaten in 7 or 8 hours. I never feel hungry. I always eat way before I feel hungry. So, my first and longest fast was 3 full days. I only drank water. It wasn't that bad at all. I felt fine. I think I was starting to feel hungry on the second day. On the third day, I started to feel weak and light-headed so I decided to eat. I ate a double burger in like 10 seconds and it was the most euphoric eating experience of my life!

Other times, it was just to build some discipline and realize that I don't always need to be snacking on something. I frequently go over 12 hours without eating (sleeping, then skipping breakfast) and I don't feel hungry whatsoever.

I think for health reasons, I'd rather just eat healthier foods.

[Wild horses]

I have one of these friends too and it is really strange because she won't go near power cables either... She is real extreme with the food side of things too and i can't say she's very healthy as a result!

[Geoff]

I saw this study about a guy who weighed.. I don't remember the number but something like 500lb. Back in the 60's he agreed to be starved down on weight, and they gave him just vitamins and water.

I think it was two years before he "needed" to eat again, and had lost 300lb or so in the process. Fat is designed to be a food source when we are in a famine period.

[Feops]

I've never fasted or cleansed, and don't see any reason to do so. Or at least no biological reason. I guess there could see spiritual perks.

The more moderate option of making healthy eating decisions sounds much more beneficial in the long run.

[scantilyclad]

Eating is probably my favorite activity, the thought of fasting baffles me, makes me nervous and anxious even. I don't know how it would be possible.

As far as cleansing goes, i would assume that a diet high in fiber would do the trick. I don't understand these feelings of the body not feeling "clean". I've never even heard of this until now. My body always feels just fine, and feels the best after a nice big meal. I don't need a body douche to make me feel better.

:)

[pure_mercury]

About 3 or 4 times a year, I don't eat for 24+ hours.

[CzeCze]

I have, I've done the maple syrup cleanse (of Beyonce's 'Dream Girls' crash diet fame) 2x. The first time I also did those foot pads that absorb toxins through your feet. Blech. I also did a lot of Bikram (heated) yoga.

The second time, I didn't drink nearly enough fluids and I felt like crap. I was cold all the time. I literally slept more than 12 hours a day and I needed a tow truck to get myself out of bed and make it to class.

I did the fast both times because I like the idea of getting 'toxins' out of your body and mind and getting a fresh start. But it was also the jump start of a 'life style change' which is a thinly veiled euphemism for [crash] diet. Not good.

Fasts can be helpful but I think often people go overboard or do it for unrealistic or misguided reasons. You can do an Oprah 'healthy food fast' which basically means cutting out sugars, caffeine, and animal fats and products and preservatives.

Water is nature's best "cleanser"

I am an all or nothing person which is not good. I don't think I'll fast again for a while.

[cascadeco]

You can do an Oprah 'healthy food fast' which basically means cutting out sugars, caffeine, and animal fats and products and preservatives.

This is the sort of thing that's funny to me -- that eating healthy and trying to cut out a lot of that stuff is labeled by some as 'fasting'. Why?

I've joked with my friends on occasion that a lot of people in America would probably think I'm on a perpetual diet because I DO eat healthy, I don't snack, etc etc. And for all intents and purposes I eat like a lot of people who are on diets probably eat. It's a lifestyle thing though.

[Zoom]

Personally I would be unable to fast because I have very squirrelly blood sugar and normally eat (as cascade mentioned) in a manner many would consider "dieting" just because I have done so for years and it feels a lot better, body-wise. I tend to eat smaller meals more frequently (keeps bloody sugar more consistent, which I need) and have not had soda, candy, or fast food since I was... thirteen?

I have dessert and really tasty dishes (creme brulee, for example) whenever I want to - but it's very rare that I actually do. I never want the fake "food", though... after a while, my taste buds attuned themselves back to actual food, meaning that manufactured crap tasted far too sweet when strawberries taste perfect, a normal-sized soda would quite possibly make me throw up due to sugar content, and I can taste the unnecessary chemicals and additives in processed food.

Oh, right-o, back on topic - I can't fast because I get light headed, irritable and nauseous after not eating for five or so hours, let alone a full 24.

[InaF3157]

Eating is probably my favorite activity, the thought of fasting baffles me, makes me nervous and anxious even. I don't know how it would be possible.

As far as cleansing goes, i would assume that a diet high in fiber would do the trick. I don't understand these feelings of the body not feeling "clean". I've never even heard of this until now. My body always feels just fine, and feels the best after a nice big meal. I don't need a body douche to make me feel better.

:)

Ha!
+1
Probably because I tend to eat healthy, by choice. Junk food tastes like, well, junk.

{And my classification of "junk" is pretty wide}

[riel]

Honey, if the girl in the pic is really you, no offense but you're skinny already.

Do you fast or cleanse (regularly, for religious purposes, randomly, even for blood tests, at any time/for any reason)? No

What do you consume when you cleanse (some people only consume liquids, etc.)?Vegetables and fruits

Have you completed any sort of cleanse that did not compromise your consciousness? None

Do you think that there are benefits to cleansing/fasting? Depends upon why someone is doing it

Do you notice any changes in your thinking (do you find that you are more clearheaded, etc.) when you fast/cleanse?I feel nauseated and my environment goes white, literally.