The Many Wonders of Fasting
Fasting has been used therapeutically since at least the 5th century BCE by the ancient civilizations of Greece and the Near East (roughly today’s Middle East).
Both Socrates and Plato, Greek philosophers, are said to have fasted 10 days at a time to “attain mental and physical efficiency.” Pythagoras fasted for 40 days before taking his examination at the University of Alexandria. The great Greek physician, Hippocrates, prescribed fasting during the critical periods of disease. Census is said to have used fasting in the treatment of jaundice (yellowing of skin/whites of eyes) and epilepsy. Plutarch said, “Instead of using medicine, better fast a day.”
Both Socrates and Plato, Greek philosophers, are said to have fasted 10 days at a time to “attain mental and physical efficiency.” Pythagoras fasted for 40 days before taking his examination at the University of Alexandria. The great Greek physician, Hippocrates, prescribed fasting during the critical periods of disease. Census is said to have used fasting in the treatment of jaundice (yellowing of skin/whites of eyes) and epilepsy. Plutarch said, “Instead of using medicine, better fast a day.”
The development and evolution of the forms of human pathology are governed by the physiological and chemical reactions that are taking place. Anything that indices such reactions plays a role in determining the state of human health. Whenever food is withheld from consumption beyond the usual period, changes are seen in the chemical reactions and life processes of cells and tissues. These changes give fasting its therapeutic properties.
One of the most important effects of fasting is rejuvenescence- the acquiring of fresh vitality and renewal of youthful characteristics to the cells and tissues of the body.
One of the characteristics of old age is the decrease in metabolic rate, and fasting produces rejuvenation by inducing a permanent increase in the metabolic rate proven by experiments conducted at the University of Chicago. The university’s department of physiology placed a 40 year old man on a 10 day fast, and by the end of the fast his tissues were in the same physiological condition as of a 17 year old.
One of the most important effects of fasting is rejuvenescence- the acquiring of fresh vitality and renewal of youthful characteristics to the cells and tissues of the body.
One of the characteristics of old age is the decrease in metabolic rate, and fasting produces rejuvenation by inducing a permanent increase in the metabolic rate proven by experiments conducted at the University of Chicago. The university’s department of physiology placed a 40 year old man on a 10 day fast, and by the end of the fast his tissues were in the same physiological condition as of a 17 year old.
These fluorescent images of human mammary epithelial cells show the effect of aging. In the left image, multiple progenitor cells from a 19-year-old young women respond to the tumor-mimicking stiff surface by differentiating into red-colored tumor-suppressing myoepithelial cells. In the right image, progenitor cells from a 66-year-old women fail to launch this putative cancer-fighting response when exposed to the stiff surface (Credit: Pelissier, LaBarge).
The Rejuvenating Effect Upon the Skin
- lines and wrinkles become less apparent
- blotches, discolouration, and pimples tend to disappear
- skin becomes more youthful and acquires a better color and texture
- eyes clear up and brighten
- one looks younger
During fasting, the body has the opportunity to redistribute its nutritive supplies- the surpluses and non-vital supplies being consumed and utilized first. The absorption of normal muscles and tissues on a fast is readily observable, and the flesh, blood, and bone of a tumor are absorbed much more rapidly.
Dental Health and Fasting
Dental decay is often arrested during the fast. In some cases, teeth that were loose became firmly fixed in their sockets while fasting, and swollen, inflamed, and bleeding gums are also restored.
Dental decay is often arrested during the fast. In some cases, teeth that were loose became firmly fixed in their sockets while fasting, and swollen, inflamed, and bleeding gums are also restored.
Blood Improvement
During fasting, the assimilative powers of a body increase, shown both in the improvement of the blood during the fast and the rapid assimilation of food after the fast. Patients who suffer from conditions such as anaemia, with either insufficient red blood cells or excess white blood cells, are generally stabilized by fasting.
During fasting, the assimilative powers of a body increase, shown both in the improvement of the blood during the fast and the rapid assimilation of food after the fast. Patients who suffer from conditions such as anaemia, with either insufficient red blood cells or excess white blood cells, are generally stabilized by fasting.
Overworked Body Organs
Fasting affords the organs of the body the closest possible approach to a complete physiological rest. Many organs are overworked and overstimulated, and hence weakened. During a fast, the necessary work done by organs is reduced to the lowest possible minimum. As there is no further intake of food, assimilation in the body only involves the redistribution of the elements already stored there. Thus, the organs are given a chance to recuperate and restore their vital powers. Repair of damaged structures may take place. Broken bones, wounds, and open sores heal much more rapidly, and if inflammation is present it tends to subside; the body undergoes a general healing process.
Fasting affords the organs of the body the closest possible approach to a complete physiological rest. Many organs are overworked and overstimulated, and hence weakened. During a fast, the necessary work done by organs is reduced to the lowest possible minimum. As there is no further intake of food, assimilation in the body only involves the redistribution of the elements already stored there. Thus, the organs are given a chance to recuperate and restore their vital powers. Repair of damaged structures may take place. Broken bones, wounds, and open sores heal much more rapidly, and if inflammation is present it tends to subside; the body undergoes a general healing process.
Increased Elimination
The part of the energy of the body that is normally devoted to the work of assimilation may, during fasting, be used to rid the accumulation of wastes and toxins. Food in the digestive tract, which is often a rich source of toxins, is quickly decomposed and eliminated. The alimentary canal becomes almost free from bacteria.
The nourishment of cells on a fast is first derived from the less essential tissues and portions of impaired and diseased tissue. The surplus material on hand is utilised first. The effusions, dropsical swellings, fat, infiltrations, etc. are absorbed with great rapidity during fasting. The body, thus, releases itself from a former burden of superfluous and waste material.
Increased elimination of toxins is noted on the very first day of the fast. The breath becomes very offensive, and the skin may also emit an offensive odor. The toxicity of urine is also increased among other reactions. These symptoms do not occur in all cases, but there is always some indication of elimination.
The part of the energy of the body that is normally devoted to the work of assimilation may, during fasting, be used to rid the accumulation of wastes and toxins. Food in the digestive tract, which is often a rich source of toxins, is quickly decomposed and eliminated. The alimentary canal becomes almost free from bacteria.
The nourishment of cells on a fast is first derived from the less essential tissues and portions of impaired and diseased tissue. The surplus material on hand is utilised first. The effusions, dropsical swellings, fat, infiltrations, etc. are absorbed with great rapidity during fasting. The body, thus, releases itself from a former burden of superfluous and waste material.
Increased elimination of toxins is noted on the very first day of the fast. The breath becomes very offensive, and the skin may also emit an offensive odor. The toxicity of urine is also increased among other reactions. These symptoms do not occur in all cases, but there is always some indication of elimination.
Nervous and Mental Functions
A marked improvement in the nervous and mental aberrations have a physiological basis. While fasting:
A marked improvement in the nervous and mental aberrations have a physiological basis. While fasting:
- all reductions of nerve energy influences discontinue and the entire nervous system and brain undergo a physiological rest
- nerve forces are rooted and mental powers are impaired
- the powers of attention and association quicken
- memory of past events can recover
Fasting: Under the Microscope
A great number of physicians have done extensive research on fasting and its employment of the ill. Most of the patients who have been treated at fasting institutes have suffered from ill health for years; trying all other forms of healing -drugs, surgery, electrical treatments, etc.- all to no avail. Some of the diseases the patients suffered of:
Most of the diseases were rarely treated by usual means; however, the percentage of recoveries from fasting were amazingly high. Dr. Herbert M. Shelton, who has conducted over 30,000 fasts in his institute, reported that 95% of his patients recovered their health or claimed benefit.
Statistics
Dr. James McEachen applied fasting in the treatment of 715 cases from August, 1952 to March, 1958.
Dr. Robert R. Gross covered a time period from August, 1957 to July, 1963 for 680 cases.
A great number of physicians have done extensive research on fasting and its employment of the ill. Most of the patients who have been treated at fasting institutes have suffered from ill health for years; trying all other forms of healing -drugs, surgery, electrical treatments, etc.- all to no avail. Some of the diseases the patients suffered of:
- heart diseases
- cancer
- asthma
Most of the diseases were rarely treated by usual means; however, the percentage of recoveries from fasting were amazingly high. Dr. Herbert M. Shelton, who has conducted over 30,000 fasts in his institute, reported that 95% of his patients recovered their health or claimed benefit.
Statistics
Dr. James McEachen applied fasting in the treatment of 715 cases from August, 1952 to March, 1958.
- 294 of these cases resulted in great improvement or complete recovery
- 360 of these cases resulted in moderate improvement
- 61 of these cases did not result in any noted improvement
Dr. Robert R. Gross covered a time period from August, 1957 to July, 1963 for 680 cases.
- 484 of these cases resulted in complete recovery (71.2%)
- 163 of these cases resulted in partial recovery (24.2%)
- 31 of these cases did not result in any noted improvement (4.6%)
Sources
- Therapeutic Fasting. Arnold Devries, 1963
- https://pdf4pro.com/view/therapeutic-fasting-5a4622.html
- https://t.co/2IQXmorSmd
- Figure 1: https://humanities.blogs.ie.edu/2012/07/we-think-therefore-we-are.html
- Figure 2: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-06-clues-older-women-vulnerable-breast.html
- Figure 3: https://www.facialsteaming.com/how-to-do-a-microdermabrasion-at-home-3/
- Figure 4: https://www.altmoredentalpractice.co.uk/gum-disease-2/
- Figure 5: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=841&language=English
- Figure 6: https://www.inovanewsroom.org/ilh/2017/05/wound-healing-center-at-inova-loudoun-treats-complex-wound-and-ostomy-cases/
- Figure 7: http://www.fattofitwithcindylaneross.com/2017/02/detoxify-your-body-and-achieve.html
- Figure 8: https://open.oregonstate.education/aandp/chapter/12-1-structure-and-function-of-the-nervous-system/