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So, what does the body do when you fast? Dr. Shelton lists four main activities.
 
So, what does the body do when you fast? Dr. Shelton lists four main activities.
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# Breakdownofbodyfat,therebyleadingtorapidweightloss.Thisisbeneficialbecause excess body fat increases the risk of heart disease, strokes, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and many other diseases. Fasting is the “fastest” way to lose weight.
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# Breakdown of body fat, thereby leading to rapid weight loss. This is beneficial because excess body fat increases the risk of heart disease, strokes, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and many other diseases. Fasting is the “fastest” way to lose weight.
 
# Diversion of energy from digestive processes to other tissues where needed for repair and rejuvenation. Dr. Shelton explains that “if you have the water running in your bathtub and somebody turns on the water in the kitchen sink, the rate of flow into the bathtub is immediately diminished. When the water in the kitchen is cut off, the rate of flow into the bathtub is immediately increased.”  When digestion is suspended for a period of time by fasting, far less blood flows to the digestive organs. This blood is then free to flow to other tissues in the body, bringing with it essential oxygen and other nutrients which are needed for healing. This extra blood also serves as the vehicle in which wastes can be carried away.
 
# Diversion of energy from digestive processes to other tissues where needed for repair and rejuvenation. Dr. Shelton explains that “if you have the water running in your bathtub and somebody turns on the water in the kitchen sink, the rate of flow into the bathtub is immediately diminished. When the water in the kitchen is cut off, the rate of flow into the bathtub is immediately increased.”  When digestion is suspended for a period of time by fasting, far less blood flows to the digestive organs. This blood is then free to flow to other tissues in the body, bringing with it essential oxygen and other nutrients which are needed for healing. This extra blood also serves as the vehicle in which wastes can be carried away.
 
# Physiologicalrestissecured.Weallknowtheimportanceofrestafterahardday’swork. At night, we fall into bed exhausted. If we do not secure a good night’s rest, we will function poorly the following day. Our internal organs need rest also, yet we almost never give them rest since we eat every few hours every day. By fasting, an opportunity for complete rest is given, and the internal organs thereby are able to rebuild their strength.
 
# Physiologicalrestissecured.Weallknowtheimportanceofrestafterahardday’swork. At night, we fall into bed exhausted. If we do not secure a good night’s rest, we will function poorly the following day. Our internal organs need rest also, yet we almost never give them rest since we eat every few hours every day. By fasting, an opportunity for complete rest is given, and the internal organs thereby are able to rebuild their strength.
# Fasttoeliminatewastes.AgainquotingDr.Shelton:“Nothingknowntomanequalsthe fast as a means of increasing the elimination of waste from the blood and tissues. Only a brief period elapses after food is withheld until the organs of elimination increase their activities and a real physiological housecleaning is instituted.”
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# Fast to eliminate wastes. Again quoting Dr.Shelton: “Nothing known to man equals the fast as a means of increasing the elimination of waste from the blood and tissues. Only a brief period elapses after food is withheld until the organs of elimination increase their activities and a real physiological housecleaning is instituted.”
    
=== Cholesterol Deposits Break Down  ===
 
=== Cholesterol Deposits Break Down  ===
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== Juice Dieting Vs. Fasting ==
 
== Juice Dieting Vs. Fasting ==
There are some people who advocate juice dieting over true fasting, saying that it is safer and healthier. We can dismiss the safety claim, since true fasting is safe if done the proper way under experienced supervision. We can also dismiss the claims regarding health. (While it is true that much less energy is expended when a person is on a juice diet than when they are eating solid food, however, when no food is taken at all (solid or liquid), the conservation of energy is greatest and the healing potential is therefore also
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There are some people who advocate juice dieting over true fasting, saying that it is safer and healthier. We can dismiss the safety claim, since true fasting is safe if done the proper way under experienced supervision. We can also dismiss the claims regarding health. (While it is true that much less energy is expended when a person is on a juice diet than when they are eating solid food, however, when no food is taken at all (solid or liquid), the conservation of energy is greatest and the healing potential is therefore also greatest.—ed.). Therefore, we have objective evidence that there are more health benefits from water fasting than from juice dieting.
 
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greatest.—ed.). Therefore, we have objective evidence that there are more health benefits from water fasting than from juice dieting.
      
The general conclusion is that while fasting, the body’s healing and repairing and rejuvenating and eliminating powers have more energy and resources to do their work effectively, efficiently, and rapidly.
 
The general conclusion is that while fasting, the body’s healing and repairing and rejuvenating and eliminating powers have more energy and resources to do their work effectively, efficiently, and rapidly.
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== Questions & Answers ==
 
== Questions & Answers ==
What is the difference between fasting and starving?
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'''What is the difference between fasting and starving?'''
    
People who are ignorant of the subject say there is no difference. In fact, there is a large difference. Fasting is the period of time during which a person is ingesting no food, but is living off of nonessential reserve material inside his body. Starvation begins when all non-essential reserve material has been used up, and the body must therefore begin to break down and burn for energy essential tissues.
 
People who are ignorant of the subject say there is no difference. In fact, there is a large difference. Fasting is the period of time during which a person is ingesting no food, but is living off of nonessential reserve material inside his body. Starvation begins when all non-essential reserve material has been used up, and the body must therefore begin to break down and burn for energy essential tissues.
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What does a fast do?
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'''What does a fast do?'''
    
A fast does nothing. A fast only provides a condition in which the body can more rapidly and effectively heal and normalize itself.
 
A fast does nothing. A fast only provides a condition in which the body can more rapidly and effectively heal and normalize itself.
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Is there very much scientific research on fasting?
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'''Is there very much scientific research on fasting?'''
    
Yes. From the early 20th century up to the present time, a tremendous amount of research has been done on fasting. Many papers have been published in the finest scientific journals. Scientists have a profound understanding of the biochemistry, physiology, and metabolism of fasting.
 
Yes. From the early 20th century up to the present time, a tremendous amount of research has been done on fasting. Many papers have been published in the finest scientific journals. Scientists have a profound understanding of the biochemistry, physiology, and metabolism of fasting.
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Why do many people say that fasting is not safe?
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'''Why do many people say that fasting is not safe?'''
    
Mainly because it is emotionally objectionable to go without food, since food means love and comfort and security to most people. Also because it was not proven until recently that the body will spare its protein reserves and burn mainly fat during a fast; this makes fasting essentially safe for most people.
 
Mainly because it is emotionally objectionable to go without food, since food means love and comfort and security to most people. Also because it was not proven until recently that the body will spare its protein reserves and burn mainly fat during a fast; this makes fasting essentially safe for most people.
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Why consider fasting?
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'''Why consider fasting?'''
    
Because most people overeat, get too little exercise and rest, and are generally not mentally at peace, we get a build-up of toxins and waste material in the body. When a person fasts, the body will break down this material and either burn it for energy, or eliminate it. Also, during a fast, the body increases the level of repair activity, secures a complete rest, and rapidly loses weight.
 
Because most people overeat, get too little exercise and rest, and are generally not mentally at peace, we get a build-up of toxins and waste material in the body. When a person fasts, the body will break down this material and either burn it for energy, or eliminate it. Also, during a fast, the body increases the level of repair activity, secures a complete rest, and rapidly loses weight.
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Isn’t it better to go on a juice diet than fast totally?
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'''Isn’t it better to go on a juice diet than fast totally?'''
    
No, water fasting (going on water alone) is far superior to juice dieting. For one thing, the elimination of salt from the body which occurs so rapidly while fasting and results in health improvement will not occur at all while on juices. Don’t think of juice dieting as fasting. While on juices, a person ingests large amounts of calories, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
 
No, water fasting (going on water alone) is far superior to juice dieting. For one thing, the elimination of salt from the body which occurs so rapidly while fasting and results in health improvement will not occur at all while on juices. Don’t think of juice dieting as fasting. While on juices, a person ingests large amounts of calories, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
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Can every disease be “cured” by fasting?
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'''Can every disease be “cured” by fasting?'''
    
No. Remember, fasting is not a “cure.” Fasting only provides the optimal condition for self-repair. This process of self-repair has its limitations also, depending on the case.
 
No. Remember, fasting is not a “cure.” Fasting only provides the optimal condition for self-repair. This process of self-repair has its limitations also, depending on the case.