Why are we talking more and more about fasting?
Is fasting a social phenomenon? An indicator of our changing behavior? Or a desire to rethink our way of life, starting with our diet?
Fasting has been studied in Russia for almost fifty years. The results of this research are now reaching the ears of the West, highlighting its beneficial effects on health and well-being.
The benefits of fasting: a complementary approach
Fasting can be integrated into a lifestyle as part of a quest for well-being, but it can also be used for therapeutic purposes. The recognized benefits of fasting are numerous and never cease to amaze!
Scientific and medical recognition of fasting
Today, fasting is recognized by many doctors and scientists around the world. In Russia, Germany, Switzerland, the United States and Canada, fasting is integrated into treatment protocols for a variety of chronic pathologies:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Respiratory disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Digestive problems
- Joint and bone pain
- Dermatological disorders
In over 70% of cases, fasting relieves these pathologies. In addition to its antidepressant and sedative effects, fasting has curative properties that scientific studies are still trying to explain.
Contraindications to fasting
The contraindications set out by Russian doctors, pioneers in the field of therapeutic fasting, include :
- Cancer
- Type I diabetes
- Chronic hepatitis
- Thrombophlebitis
- Anorexia
However, recent research in the USA shows that fasting may also reduce the side effects of chemotherapeutic treatments and improve their effectiveness.
The practice of fasting: what you need to know
More than two out of three people report positive effects from fasting!
- Types of fasting: hydric (water only) or partial (low-calorie vegetable juices, max 250 kcal).
- Duration: generally between one and two weeks. Some enthusiasts fast for up to 40 days.
- Support: medical supervision is recommended, particularly for long-term fasts.
- Physical activity: 2 hours of walking, yoga or gymnastics a day are recommended.
Coming off a fast: a crucial stage
The recovery phase is just as important as the fast itself. It should be spread over at least a week to avoid food shocks and maintain the benefits obtained. Choose a light diet, rich in essential nutrients.
My personal experience of fasting
On a personal note, I discovered fasting after researching its therapeutic benefits and impact on general well-being. My first experience was particularly positive, to the point of making fasting a bi-annual ritual. I felt renewed energy, increased mental clarity and softer, brighter skin.
To undertake such an experience alone, it’s essential to be in good physical and mental health, and to be motivated by the challenge – because it really is one! It’s important to stay active, to continue working (without stress), to move around, to get some fresh air and to practice physical activities on a daily basis.
The environment must be pleasant, warm, quiet and intimate, because in the first few days, the need for rest is particularly important. Daytime naps are highly recommended. You have to accept that you will have to reorganize your daily routine, without the meals that usually punctuate your day.
The First Three Days: The Most Delicious
The first three days are often the most difficult, as neither our bodies nor our habits have yet had time to adapt to this new way of working.
During this period, the body needs warmth. The hot-water bottle is no longer a simple comfort accessory: it becomes an indispensable ally. These moments of weakness require you to accept the slowing down of body and mind, with breaks and naps in the middle of the day.
From Day 4 onwards : Clarity sets in
By the fourth day, everything becomes simpler. The feeling of hunger no longer comes from the stomach, but from the mind. It’s the pleasure of eating that’s missing, not the need to eat.
This fast enabled me to make a surprising discovery: our body has a memory. For a day and a night, I felt a back pain that I’d been fighting for years, without ever admitting its psychosomatic origin. I realized that fasting acts like a great inner cleansing, cleansing to the very depths of our being, including the mind.
Physical and mental renewal
After the fourth day, energy and vitality return. Aches and pains subside, the body feels lighter. Joints feel liberated, as if oiled. The face relaxes, the skin becomes softer, less dry, to the point where moisturizer becomes almost superfluous. All the senses seem heightened, and sensitivity is heightened.
Hydration: a must during fasting
Throughout the fasting period, it’s imperative to drink, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Kidney pain will quickly remind you of this imperative need.
Compensating for the pleasures of food
To compensate for the absence of gustatory pleasures, it’s essential to keep the mind occupied: reading, cinema, music, walks in the open air, board games, painting…
Avoiding demineralization: Spirulina, an invaluable support
To avoid demineralization, we recommend consuming vegetable broths, at least two bowls a day. In addition, 5 g of organic spirulina in the morning and 5 g in the evening will provide essential amino acids and minerals. What’s more, spirulina is rich in chlorophyll and phycocyanin, which effectively detoxify the body.
A positive personal assessment
This personal experience has been extremely beneficial and has made me aware of several truths:
- The sensation of hunger is largely psychological. During fasting, it’s our mind that craves food, not our body, which knows perfectly well how to do without it. Eating is a real pleasure that we need, both for ourselves and to maintain social ties. Fasting acts like a great inner cleansing, purifying the body and regenerating the mind. Overcoming a fast is a victory over oneself, which Plato considered to be the greatest of victories.
A Practice That Becomes a Way of Life
I discovered water fasting in 2018, and since then I’ve been doing two fasts a year, in spring and autumn, lasting from 8 to 21 days. This ritual is now part of my daily routine and I couldn’t do without it.
Recommendation: Spirulina, an essential superfood
During fasting, the risk of demineralization is high. To compensate and support the body, spirulina is an ideal ally. Rich in essential amino acids, minerals and chlorophyll, it contributes to detoxification and provides precious energy.
Tip: consume 5 g of spirulina in the morning and 5 g in the evening for an optimal intake of essential nutrients.
A Powerful Tool for Body and Mind
Fasting is a demanding but extremely beneficial personal process. Not only does it cleanse the body in depth, it also strengthens the mind. Spirulina, as a natural supplement, fits perfectly into this process of physical and mental regeneration.
Muriel Cathaud, Dr es Sciences