Fasting
Much talk on subject of fasting has been circulating on the internet so I decided to try a long fast. According to the literature on the subject, a person can go weeks and even months without food and can enjoy some astonishing health benefits as a result. There has been a fair amount of research on the subject and participants have been able to lower blood pressure and reverse cardiovascular disease, reverse diabetes, clear up asthma and chronic pulmonary conditions, loose tremendous amounts of weight and in some cases even shrink cancerous tumors.
Water only fasting for any longer than three days should be done under supervision of a qualified practitioner. I decided to try it, after having done many short fasts over the years. It was a very fascinating experience in which I learned a great deal about the process and the way the body cleanses and clears accumulations in the body. After eight days I decided I needed to be at full strength to do my job but I am glad that I had the experience.
It is interesting to know that research has shown that virtually everyone perceives themselves to be healthier than they actually are. An annual cleanse is a wise habit, even if you are healthy. There are times when the body tells us not to eat, such as when we get a stomach virus or food poisoning but we should also listen to the more subtle messages the body gives to let us know that we should give the digestive system a rest. Dietary recommendations are a large part of Chinese medicine and so many illness are directly related to the food we eat. Cleansing foods, bland food diets, and healing porridges are often prescribed in Traditional medicine.
The other principle of Chinese medicine is eat according to the seasons, eat the food that is grown locally, and maintain moderation in all things. Fasting is an extreme therapy that is useful or even necessary only when the condition is also extreme. For those who are looking for sound dietary principles, a look to Chinese medicine or other wisdom traditions will always provide a return to simple, logical, and balanced approach to the main staple of life.
