Fasting
Fasting for health
For many, fasting initially sounds like doing without, like starvation or a zero diet. However, fasting has so many positive effects on our body, mind and general well-being and does not always have to be accompanied by a complete abstention from food. We tell you everything you need to know about fasting!
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Interesting facts about fasting
You would like to learn more about fasting? On this page we give you information about the effect and indications, types of fasting, the possibility to spend a fasting vacation and much more.
Definition: What is fasting?
Fasting is the voluntary abstention of solid food, certain foods and / or stimulants for a certain time. Depending on the fasting method can be fasted only a few hours, a few days or several weeks. Fasting can help to relieve the body, trigger important cell cleansing processes and promote long-term health.
What effect does regular fasting have on the body and mind?
Once we fast for a little more than 14 hours, our cells begin to regenerate. Many also speak of the "body's own garbage disposal". Toxins are removed and it comes to cell renewal (autophagy). The break that the intestine experiences regulates and strengthens the immune system. This has a soothing effect not only on the infectious defense, but also, for example, on atopic diseases. Besides fasting reduces chronic inflammations of any kind. But not only on the body, but also on the mind has fasting a healing effect. Among other things, serotonin is released, which can reduce stress and anxiety. After a few days, a feeling of calm and balance also sets in.
Note: Despite the proven positive aspects of a fasting retreat, you should never stop taking medication or attempt to self-medicate without consulting your doctors. A fasting retreat should only be undertaken in the company of an experienced fasting therapist and in consideration of your medical history.
These types and methods of fasting are
A very well-known method is also the classic therapeutic fasting according to Buchinger. In therapeutic fasting according to Buchinger, only juices, broth, tea and water are taken over a period of time. Solid food and addictive substances are completely dispensed with. Since the Buchinger therapeutic fasting is accompanied by a high calorie reduction , the fasting retreat is limited to 2-4 weeks and should also only be carried out under professional supervision. The fasting type can provide relief for many ailments. The physician Otto Buchinger, on which the therapy goes back, treated e.g. its rheumatism with fasting.
Intermittent fasting is one of the gentlest fasting retreats. The method is not based like many other fasting types on the complete renunciation of solid food, rather it is about the time intervals, in which you eat, or give the body its breaks. Most intermittent fasting therapy refer to the 16/8 method: 16 hours long one fasts, then may be eaten in a 8-hour window. Starved is not here and the fasting may eat their fill, but of course a healthy diet is in the foreground.
Alkaline diet is also not completely abstaining from food. Just as there is no fixed prescribed interval in which food is allowed or not allowed. However, it is the choice of food that is narrowed down. Thus, either for a few days or a week, no foods are put on the plate that have an acid-forming effect on the body. However, many important nutrients are added to the body through fruits, vegetables and salads. This can alleviate chronic ailments, allergies or skin diseases.
Juice fasting is a modern and also varied way to fast. Every day heaps of colorful fruits and vegetables are on the menu. In the form of freshly squeezed juices it is child's play to take in so many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The juices give new energy and are also super varied and beautiful colorful! This fasting method is also suitable for beginners.
Fasting indications: Fasting can be helpful for these indications
Regular fasting (either once a year as a therapy or daily through intermittent fasting) has a positive effect on metabolic disorders and can thus be recommended for diabetes mellitus type 2 patients, because fasting helps to stabilize blood glucose levels. As a diabetic, you should always fast under the supervision of a fasting physician who will examine you before, during and after the therapy and check your metabolic values.
Who suffers from asthma, neurodermatitis, psoriasis, allergies or several diseases of the atopic circle of forms, should definitely give fasting a chance! Why? Atopic diseases such as allergies are due to an overreaction of the immune system. 80% of the immune system lies in the intestine. Therefore, when fasting, not only the intestine is relieved, but also the immune system can regenerate.
For Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome, fasting may also be worth a try. Fasting has a strong anti-inflammatory effect,because it reduces the activity of monocytes. These are those immune cells that trigger inflammation in the body. However, since fasting should not be done during an acute flare-up, you should always consult your doctor before embarking on a fasting retreat if you have a chronic bowel disease.
Already Otto Buchinger, the founder of therapeutic fasting, healed his rheumatism with the help of fasting. Especially during, but also long after the fasting retreat, rheumatism patients report significantly reduced pain. In addition to the reduced inflammatory activity in the body, there is often an improved joint mobility - without the need for strong drugs or painkillers.
Fasting: from a few hours to several weeks
The possible duration of a fasting retreat varies greatly. From a few hours or a day to several weeks anything is possible. Of course, the duration of fasting is very closely linked to the respective fasting method. In intermittent fasting, you fast anyway "only 16 hours" - but every day. Juice fasting or detox therapies usually last 3, 5 or 7 days. Also an alkaline fasting retreat is usually recommended for the duration of one week. Longer lasts however the therapeutic fasting according to Buchinger. Here people often fast between 2 and 4 weeks long. As you can see, everything is possible from short-term fasting to long-term fasting. Thus also each fasting-willing finds a suitable offer, which does not overtax.
The perfect introduction: fasting on vacation for fasting beginners
Even for fasting beginners without experience the large selection of fasting methods can be overwhelming. For this reason, fasting retreats are ideal as part of a vacation or spa trip. In a supervised framework you collect first fasting experiences and can turn thereby with questions, doubts or problems always to the professional personnel of the fasting hotels. You will be supported, however, not only by the fasting leaders of your course, but also by the other fasting participants. Find like-minded people and share your experiences! Fasting retreats or fasting hotels can be found, by the way in the most beautiful regions of the country, from the North Sea and Baltic Sea to Bavaria. In addition to fasting in Germany, fasting is also possible in Austria in idyllic mountain landscapes. So on a fasting vacation, not only your body but also your mind will easily come to rest.
FAQ - Interesting facts about fasting
Fasting is the conscious renunciation of food, usually for a predetermined period of time. Fasting people have either religious or health-related motives for which they start a fasting retreat.
Fasting has a variety of positive effects on the body, on the mind and actually also on mood and self-confidence!
A fasting retreat is suitable for anyone who is not suffering from any acute serious conditions.
No fasting is allowed for children, pregnant women and people with an eating disorder. Fasting is also often not provided in the case of serious conditions.
This depends on the form of fasting. There are methods with those "only" 16 hours is fasted. Other fasting retreats, however, last up to 4 weeks (incl. relief days & build-up days).
Particularly the methods in which there is no complete deprivation of food are beginner-friendly. That would be, for example, alkaline diet and intermittent fasting. However, under the guidance of a fasting physician, any fasting retreat is also suitable for beginners.
You can prepare for a fasting vacation, in which you already do without addictive substances such as nicotine, alcohol or even coffee before the fasting days or scale them down. In addition, sports, a healthy diet and plenty of rest help you to prepare for the fasting period.
It helps enormously to fast with a group of like-minded people. Together you share experiences, can contact the fasting leaders if you have any questions, and celebrate your successes together.