Cleansing Fast

Those who have accepted and adopted juices and raw food as their diet may naturally ask how long the diet should be continued after the body has become healthy and the disease is cured.

Observing fast cleansing is our age-old tradition and belief.

Its purpose is scientific.

Fasting aims at giving rest to our digestive system at which point no food is taken. Sometimes, a fruit-diet is allowed.

But today, the definition of fruit diets is perverted. Instead of fruits many other items are taken. This can’t really be called fasting, as it gives no benefit to the body.

Juice-cleansing is an effective and scientific method for giving real benefits to the body and health. This kind of fasting consists of nothing except fruit and vegetable-juices.

The obvious purpose of juice fasting is to regain health by giving rest to the digestive system. Juice-diet eliminates the toxic and inorganic substances and bacteria from the body. As juice without roughage and fibers is easily digestible the body easily absorbs and assimilates it.

Juice is absorbed 20-25 min after intake thus the body immediately acquires the vitamins boosting the immune system. Also, the mineral salts in the juice neutralize acidic elements in the blood.

During juice-fasting substances in the body begin to burn supplying heat to the body.

Though fats and carbohydrates accumulate in the body the toxic substances burn first. The simple reason for this process is that though the juices contain vitamins, minerals and enzymes in abundance, the heat-giving substances are in meager proportion.

During fasting, the combustion of accumulated stock of toxic substances automatically supplies required heat to the body.

Juice fasting also stimulates the excretory process of the body. Undesirable elements are eliminated through the kidneys, skin and lungs. During the preliminary juice-fasting stages, there is foul-breath, dark urine profuse body perspiration. In a later stage the body becomes purified then the breathing, urine, perspiration returns to normal.

Before fast cleansing is commenced 2-3 day ‘water’ fast is beneficial. An expert’s guidance is beneficial for fruit and vegetable selection for a particular disease.

Begin fasting with a small quantity of juices gradually increasing the amount.

On the first day, take 250 ml of juices 5 times at the interval of 3 hours. Thus total quantity of juice on first day is 1250 ml.

On the second day take 300 ml each time.

Begin taking juice at 7 a.m. and then stop at 7 p.m. After 8 days a person with good digestion will be able to take more than 600 ml each time.

Thus total juice count will be 5-10L.

Unfortunately, if you get stomach heaviness it means the quantity was exceeded and should be reduced. Those wanting more juice should reduce the interval between the two intakes and take it even 8 times daily.

One can continue juice fasting for 1½ - 2 months during which foul-breath, headache, stomachache, insomnia, fever, body ache, swelling of gums etc may arise.

Don’t be alarmed as this symptoms show the body is eliminating toxic substances.

Some weight will be lost and symptoms will disappear and the body completely cleansed.

Strict instructions to follow during juice-fasting.

• Take full rest except walking for a short distance in the morning or evening.
• Avoid physical exertion.
• Leave off anxiety and worry and live delightfully.
• Be optimistic and have full faith in juice-fasting.
• Abandon smoking, tea, coffee, alcohol, cold drinks etc.

Terminating juice-fasting is also very important. Success or failure depends on post-fasting follow up.

Points to note

• On the day of breaking the fast, juice should be taken only 3 times a day i.e. morning, noon and evening. Ripe fruits without roughage and fibers should be taken in between intervals.
• On the second day, fruits and boiled vegetables without spices should be taken.
• On the third day, some milk and nuts should be taken in addition to the fruits and vegetables.
• Begin taking sprouted pulses and pulse-grains on the fourth day.
• Let a few days pass then gradually start the usual diet.
• Juices in certain quantities should be continued to maintain the health gained.
• Remember to stay peaceful and delightful.

• The purpose of juice-diet should be very clear. Whether for maintaining health or getting relief from a disease.
• The intake of juice-diet should be regular. Juice-diet should be taken systematically and with earnest.
• A fixed quantity of juice should be taken at predetermined fixed hours regularly daily.
• A variety in fruits and vegetables is desirable especially picked by a dietitian for chronic diseases.
• To preserve its useful and live elements juice should be taken fresh immediately after extraction sipped by draughts. Quick swallows don’t give good results.
• If raw food, salad or nuts are taken with juice-diet, juice should be taken some time before them so that enzymes in juice may help in digestion.
• A juice-dieter should always drink it with a delightful mind as its more beneficial.
• Symptoms such as vomiting, fever etc should not be worried about as toxic substances are being eliminated from the body and will disappear on their own.
• To aid toxic elimination, in costive conditions enemas can be taken for eradication of accumulated stools in the intestine. Hot-water bath or vapor-bath would hasten the process.
• Complete rest is recommended during juice-diet period. Light yoga and a short-distance are acceptable.