Fasting Without Suffering: How a Short Fast Helps the Body Heal

For many people, the very word “fasting” immediately brings to mind pain and suffering. But it doesn't need to be that way. Following are a few facts that may help you feel differently.

Fasting is a mode of action through which the body heals itself. The rest it gives the organs — especially the digestive system, is unlike any other kind of rest, and it is something our bodies deeply need.

What can we learn about the time when our body is in a fasted state?

1. If you think a fast is a good opportunity to diet, think again. Fat burning begins only after the body has depleted its sugar (glycogen) stores — a process that takes at least 24 hours. Therefore, any weight loss during a fast of only a few hours is most likely due to fluid loss, which increases the risk of dehydration.

2. To prevent dehydration during the fast, begin drinking about 10 cups of water the day before. It is also important to avoid physical activity during the fast and to stay in a shaded or cool place as much as possible.

3. Fasting allows the body’s elimination organs to get the rest they need in order to resume more effective detoxification and removal of toxins from the body.

4. Fasting supports the breakdown and absorption of fluids and preserves the energy our systems require. It also enhances digestive function and contributes to mental clarity and sharper thinking.

5. Fasting helps us develop a new perspective on food. By creating some distance from eating, we gain the opportunity to examine whether we are truly “hungry” or “thirsty,” or if those sensations are something else entirely.

6. Through fasting, the body is given a chance to cleanse itself, both physically and mentally. At the end of the process, we often feel our senses sharpen, our vitality return, and a renewed sense of alertness and joy.