Juice Fasting

Juice fasting has become extremely popular recently, and there is no better way to do a juice fast then making your own juice with a quality juicer. Using store bought juice means that you will be consuming processed juices with most of the important vitamins gone. Fresh, homemade juice contains enzymes and vitamins that are great for you and your body.

Juice fasting is an advanced method of detoxification that speeds the elimination of toxins from the body. Fasting itself refers to the avoidance of eating solid foods and instead only drinking liquids. Juice fasting works especially well because it requires minimal digestion, helps stabilize blood sugar levels, is easily assimilated by the body, and supplies nutrients and calories to help maintain energy while cleansing. Juice fasting also helps to decrease the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal that occurs when solids are eliminated from your diet.

During a juice fast, you should always make sure that you continue to drink at the least 8 glasses of water a day. Your body is made up mostly of water, and you want to make sure that you continue to provide it with lots of water.

Benefits of a Juice Fast

• Eliminates most food allergies and sensitivities.
• Enhances mental, physical, and spiritual well-being
• Mental clarity
• Glowing skin
• Prevents chronic diseases caused by poor diet and lifestyle
• Clears mucus discharge
  

Additionally, juice is full of live enzymes, which is wonderful for your body. You can consumer more vegetables drinking freshly squeezed juice then you can by eating them normally. Drinking fresh vegetable juice helps you eat as many if not more vegetables as you would like.

Fasting also gives your digestive system a rest. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices require little digestion, and are quickly assimilated into your body. Since most of the energy normally involved in your assimilation, digestion, and elimination is freed up, you feel a sense of renewed energy after a juice fast.

Juice fasting helps break down toxic elements such as pesticides, drugs and other chemicals from stored fat, and releases diseased tissues and their cellular products into the circulation for elimination. Also, new cell growth during fasting is stimulated and accelerated, as the required proteins are re-synthesized from decomposed cells. Your blood-protein level remains constant and normal throughout your fast, as your body will use protein and other stored nutrients where needed.

Guidelines for Juice Fasting

If you make a variety of juices, you will be less likely to become bored with your juice fast, and much more likely to receive a balanced amount of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin supplements shouldn't be necessary during your fast, as you will be consuming lots of fresh natural vitamins.

You should dilute all your juices with one part water to three parts pure freshly made juice. Also, be sure to drink at least eight 8 oz. glasses (large table glasses) of water every day, spread out evenly throughout the day. Drink as much juice as you like, as long as you dilute it properly and drink a variety of juices. Your body needs well-rounded nutrition, so you should be careful to drink a large variety of juices and not concentrate on one type such as citrus juices. You should be drinking at least five different types of juices each day. Drink your juice immediately after you make it if possible, since the fresh juice is enzyme rich and live at this point.

Since you're consuming so many liquids, you'll probably find yourself with a full bladder most of the time. At some time during your fast, your body will release both fluids and toxins. You will be releasing larger quantities of fluid than you are drinking in, and you may lose weight rapidly as you shed this excess fluid. This happens because the cells release their stored up sodium chloride, ordinary table salt, which is usually added for taste to almost all prepared foods.

You may find that you want to do a colon cleansing during your juice fast. When you stop taking in solid food, there is nothing to push out the food that is already in your colon. You may want to receive a colon cleansing on the second day of your juice fast. You may also want to perform enemas or have them done by your health professional.

If you consume tobacco, alcohol or drugs, you may want to give them up during the fast. Although you will have a powerful surge of energy from the benefits of fresh juice, try to avoid heavy exercising. Moderate exercise however should not be avoided.

Side Effects of a Juice Fast

Between the second to fifth day of your fast, you will probably experience a number of disagreeable symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, etc. This happens because stored toxins in your body are released. Although these symptoms are unpleasant, it is a good sign. When it passes, the cleansing is almost complete, and you may stop your fast on the second day after this event.

The biggest problem you will find during your juice fast will be your need to chew, taste and experience the feeling of being full of solid food. The best way to handle this situation is to remove the temptation of solid foods and always have a large supply of fresh fruits and vegetables on hand to juice whenever you'd like to.

If any symptoms last more than two to three days, it should be considered a problem and be addressed. If a problem worsens or causes concerns, or if fainting, bleeding, dizziness, low blood pressure, vomiting and diarrhea, palpitations, kidney problems, or arrhythmias occur, the fast should be stopped immediately and a doctor consulted. In general, people should consult a health professional skilled in detoxification before trying a juice fast.

How to break a Juice Fast

Make sure that you don't overeat and that you eat slowly. Don't reward yourself for fasting by splurging on a big dinner. You may be craving lost of different foods, but be sure to not overeat as your body will not be prepared to deal with a large amount of solid foods. Make sure that you chew your foods well. Most people do not chew food thoroughly, and it is especially important after breaking a juice fast. Chewing releases digestive enzymes and minimizes the burden on the digestive system.

It is important to keep the bowels moving. Stewed prunes have a laxative effect and can be added at any point after the fast.

Who Should Not Try Juice Fasting?

People with the following conditions should not try a juice fast: diabetes, hypoglycemia, eating disorders, anemia, epilepsy, kidney disease, impaired or weak immune system, cardiac arrhythmias, candida, cancer, peptic ulcer, malnutrition, pregnancy, nursing, gout, lactation, severe bronchial asthma, terminal illness, tuberculosis, ulcerative colitis, any condition that causes depletion and weakness, underweight, chronic infection, nutritional deficiency, serious disease. People should not try juice fasts before or after surgical procedures. Fasting can reduce blood proteins and change the way prescription drugs react in the body. People taking prescription medication should consult a health professional skilled in detoxification before trying a juice fast. If you have any concerns about starting a juice fast, consult a health professional before starting.