Facts about Juice Fasting

When it comes to fasting, it seems like there are two separate groups;
Those that fast to lose weight quickly.
Those that fast to detoxify their body of impurities


Needless to say, juice fasting is very popular but also very misunderstood. After all, one group uses juice fasting as what is essentially a starvation diet to drop weight quick while the others tend to be labeled as health food junkies who think that the modern world and all the junk we eat has something to do with our health (which it does but that is another matter altogether).


Fasting has been around for thousands of years....


Before I go into juice fasting, understand that fasting is not a 21st century fad. In fact, the ancient greeks and egyptians both used fasting as a way to cleanse their body. Many of the doctors recommended fasting as a way to maintain health. And for many, this worked very well.
Of course, there are some who fast for spiritual reasons. For example, jewish people fast 5 times a year even today. It is a one day fast but it is symbolic of what they believe in.
Jesus fasted as well and it is chronicled in the bible that he spend 30 days in the desert fasting to seek enlightenment.


There are many, many more cases in which religion was the reason for fasting and spiritual enlightenment was the benefit.


Why fasting works....


The reason why fasting works so well for the body is that when you aren't eating, your body can focus on other areas. Your body's resources are limited and considering the amounts of toxins we take into our bodies, the liver and kidneys can become overworked.


Those which support fasting for health say that allowing your body to focus it efforts entirely on cleansing the organs will benefit your health in the long run.


So, who shouldn't go on a juice fast?


There are several "groups" of people in which it wouldn't be in their best interest to juice fast. Most of these are based on risks to their health.
Pregnant Women and women who are currently nursing shouldn't fast.
People with diabetes, or kidney or liver problems should fast as well.....diabetics could experience a sudden drop in sugar levels. Kidney or liver patients can't handle the burden that fasting puts on their organs.
If you are anemic, you shouldn't fast.
If you currently have an alcohol or drug dependency, you shouldn't fast.
Anyone taking prescription drugs should contact a doctor first to make sure that a juice fast will not interfere with their medications.


What to Expect on a Juice Fast

In addition to this, there are some very common side effects as to what to expect should you decide to go on a juice fast.  The good news is that these likely only will last for the first day as your body is trying to adjust (for a full understanding of what happens on a 1 week juice fast, click here).

These include symptoms like constipation, headaches, general lack of energy and foul breath or body odor (which the pro-juice fasters will tell you is your toxins coming out of your body).