The Juice Fast
Fasting Defined
Before we discuss fasting by means of juicing machines, we first have to know how it is defined. Fasting is the act of willingly restraining one self from either food or drink or even both, for a set period of time. An absolute fast is when an individual abstains from all food and liquid for that set period. This can usually last a single day, or even for several days. Other types of fasts may only be partial in nature, limiting only a particular food or drink. These types may also be practiced intermittently.
From a medical standpoint, fasting may refer to the metabolic state of a person who has not eaten overnight. This is why the first meal of the day is called breakfast. It may also refer to the metabolic state after the digestion and absorption of a meal is achieved. Several adjustments occur to a person’s metabolism while in this state. Diagnostic tests are used to detect these adjustments in order to determine this. An individual is assumed to be in a fasting state 8–12 hours after the last meal has been eaten. Metabolic adjustments toward the fasting state typically begin 3–5 hours after a meal is completely absorbed. Diagnostic fasts refer to abstaining from food while under medical supervision for investigation of a problem, usually lasting from 8–72 hours depending on age. Extended fasting has also been used by health professionals of many cultures as therapy for various conditions throughout ancient history up until this very day.
Along side of the physiological concepts of a fast, many of the world’s most prominent religions also observe the practice. These religious fasts differ in extremity and type from religion to religion. The main concept behind this abstinence is to deny the body certain needs and desires in order to grow spiritually stronger.
What Is A Juice Fast?
Now that we have a better understanding, we can now discuss the juice fast. A juice fast is considered to be a type of detox diet. This involves abstaining from all solid food. All nutrition is consumed through uncooked fruit and vegetable juice along with plenty of water. Proponents of the juice fast use fresh uncooked produce because they are known to be a good source of vitamins and antioxidants.
Juice fasting is a very effective way to naturally cleanse the body. A diet high in raw fruits and vegetables has been shown to reduce cancer risk, lower cholesterol, and aid in weight loss. Juice fasting provides the same health benefits as whole raw produce along with cleansing the digestive tract, the liver, and the kidneys. This practice also cleanses our blood from harmful toxins.
Who Should Not Try Juice Fasting
-Pregnant women or women who are nursing should not try a juice fast.
-Children should not participate in juice fasting.
-Those with diabetes, eating disorders, liver or kidney disease, malnutrition, addictions, underweight, anemia, impaired immune function, infection, nutritional deficiency, low blood pressure, cancer, terminal illness, epilepsy, or other chronic conditions should try a juice fast only under strict medical supervision.
-People should not attempt a juice fast before or after surgical procedures.
-Juice fasting can change the way prescription drugs react in the body. People taking prescription medications should consult a health professional trained in detoxification before trying a juice fast, and should never reduce or stop their medications on their own.
Juice Fasting Side Effects
-Common side effects include headaches, fatigue, hypoglycemia, constipation, acne, bad breath, and increased body odor.
-Other side effects of juice fasting can include dizziness, fainting, low blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, hunger, vomiting, and kidney problems. If these side effects occur, there is a worsening of symptoms and become problematic, fasting should be stopped and you should contact your physician. It may also cause diarrhea which can cause dehydration and loss of electrolytes.
-Grapefruit juice should not be used by people taking certain prescription drugs. A certain compound in grapefruit can change the way these drugs are metabolized by the body. Pomegranate juice might also have the same effect.
How To Start Juice Fasting
-A week before the fast, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, dairy, wheat, animal meat, fish, and eggs are typically reduced or eliminated from the diet. This prep diet often consists mainly of organic produce.
-About 64 ounces of juice is usually recommended per day during the fast. The juice is sipped on throughout the entire day. Typical fruits and vegetables include celery, carrot, cabbage, apple, pineapple, cranberry, spinach, beet, and greens. Citrus juice is often avoided.
-About 6-8 glasses of room temperature filtered water per day is often recommended in addition to the juice.
-Juicing organic fruits and vegetables is highly recommended. If organic produce isn’t available, practitioners suggest peeling the skin off fruits and vegetables or washing vegetables with a non-toxic produce cleaner, usually available at health food stores.
-Fresh produce juiced through quality juicing machines are preferred, but if unavailable, practitioners suggest buying frozen produce or juice from the health food store.
-Green juice, vegetables and sprouts contain the pigment chlorophyll, which are believed to be especially beneficial during a juice fast.
-A combination of fruits and vegetables is recommended. Try to aim for all the colors of the rainbow each day.
-Variations on the strict juice fast include eating one meal a day in addition to the juice.
Written by Tom Webb+
