Fasts can range in duration from a few days to help the body heal itself to medically supervised water fasts of 30 days or more to treat serious illnesses like osteo- or rheumatoid arthritis or asthma.
All of the physicians consulted stress that fasts of longer than two or three days should not be done without proper medical supervision; Sabatino and Haag both say their water-fasting patients are carefully monitored for electrolytes, blood pressure and other factors that could indicate a problem-safeguards that aren’t available to home fasters.
Short fasts, however, can be done at home and, according to many physicians, maybe helpful for illnesses like colds and flus. Some of the benefits of fasting include;
- Removing unnecessary weight the natural way, although roughly half of the people who fast are not fasting to lose weight)
- Removing 5 to 10 lbs. of toxic chemicals trapped in the average adult’s cell, tissue and organ storage areas
- Regaining the energy of youth
- Enhancing spirituality and faith
- Heightening consciousness and increasing mental clarity
Although the duration of individual fasts will vary from person to person, a water fast lasting between three days and five days is usually all that is required to help someone feel “clean” and ready to eat healthy foods again. Beginners should always fast with supervision. An hour-and-a-half massage is very beneficial each afternoon of the fast. Meditation is also important for relaxation.