Fasting to Regenerate Your Immune System
Fasting Can Regenerate Your Immune System in 72 Hours
Much of the treatment used in healing my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in the early to mid 90-‘s utilised fasting as a healing tool.
It was very daunting to me at first – the idea of not eating for extended periods of time did not sit well with me! In my case, I went on a 16 day juice fast – involving 350ml of freshly made vegetable and fruit juices twice a day, the occasional herbal tea, plenty of water, and frequent gut cleaning via herbal enemas.
Not a lot was known about fasting then, and I had MANY well intentioned ‘experts’ tell me I was doing more harm than good. This increased my anxiousness about doing the fast, however the practitioner who was treating me was a former research biochemist in the former Soviet Union who had done extensive research on fasting to treat chronic illnesses and to create optimal levels of health. Yes, the Russians were way ahead of the Western scientific community in their understanding of fasting and many natural health treatments. It is only over the last 10 years or so that Western scientists have started to catch up in this research.
At the time, I was desperate as nothing that anyone else had used or told me about to treat this condition had helped – in fact, most doctors told me I was making it up. I can assure you I didn’t exactly like being as tired and ill as I was all of the time. It was devastating. It shattered sporting dreams I had held since I was a kid and halted my university education severely.
Because of this, and because I trusted the Russian practitioner I was working with, I embraced my fears and discovered the wonderful healing powers of fasting. It was a process that not only helped me completely recover from CFS (no sign of a flare up in the 20 years since), it also changed the direction of my life.
I pursued a career in natural health as a naturopath and have used fasting as a modality in my clinical work ever since, implementing various fasting lengths (from 1-21 days) and types. This is a tool that should not be taken lightly and I have always supervised clients who are conducting fasts, to ensure that they are conducting them properly and coping well.
I have also personally done the same fast 5-6 times since the original one and many one to three day fasts over the ensuing years. My experience has always been that my immune system is far more robust for at least 12-24 months following a longer fast and my energy levels and mental clarity also stay very strong for an extended period after the fast.
The same occurs, in similar ways, when I have fasted periodically; i.e. one day a week or fortnight for several months at a time.
Whilst fasting is not the only modality I use in treating chronic illnesses such as CFS or to create optimal health and vitality in clients, it is certainly one of the most potent arrows in my quiver. And a practice I maintain personally.
Whilst I thank the well intentioned ‘doubting Thomas’s’ for their concern all those years ago, I’m glad I didn’t listen as they had not done their homework.
If fasting is an idea you would like to explore for your own health goals, I would be happy to assist you and supervise you through it. I can work with you in person if you are near Geelong or Torquay, or online and via Skype or phone if you live more remotely. I have several fasting programs prepared that may suit your needs.
Below is a great article showing the potent power of fasting as a healing tool to regenerate your digestive and immune system.
