Fasting to better health

September 28th, 2006

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian science of healing, attaches great importance to fasting when it comes to detoxifying yourself. An overwhelming number of people who come to me for advice on their diverse health problems need to fast before they are put to an appropriate regime of yoga exercises.

Fasting has been found to be quite beneficial in toning up your digestive tract and complete system.

When you skip a meal the first thing you get is hunger pangs. During this time digestive enzymes and gastric acids flow from the epithelial lining of your stomach wall into your stomach.

In the absence of food the stomach wall comes in contact with the digestive enzymes and gastric acids which are mainly utilized in breaking down proteins into amino acids. Amino acids being smaller molecules can get readily absorbed by the epithelial cells of the digestive tract.

The digestive enzymes and acids first break down the food particles from the previous meal and digest them. This is followed by the digestion of dead bacteria and even dead cells that are invariably clinging to your stomach wall.

Thus the whole digestive tract cleanses itself when there is no fresh supply of food. Hunger pangs originate from the action of digestive juices on the stomach wall, amongst other factors. The pangs subside over an hour or two and so does the appetite for food.

As a result of digestive cleansing, our body can digest, assimilate and process food more efficiently.

Therefore even a healthy person without major health problems is advised to fast for at least half a day each week. This keeps him in good shape throughout the week.

You may choose your day of fasting. Some people like Fridays for fasting so that they can prepare themselves for a dining binge over the weekend. Some prefer Mondays after they have taken liberties with their digestive tract over the previous days.

The first time you choose to fast you may feel quite uncomfortable. the second time may not be as bad. The third time could be easier and you may even feel light and cheerful.

Happy fasting.

Entry Filed under: Ayurveda