GET HEALTHIER, LOOK BETTER!-THROUGH FASTING & DETOX

                                                           Our people,here is another important one from one of our very own,quite lengthy for the lazy ones ,though very important especially for those of us dying to shed some kilos.

 Fasting for better health is definitely a strange idea for most people. The term is usually associated with religion, depriving yourself of something you enjoy or need to be able to focus on your relationship with your Maker. But have you ever thought it could dramatically improve your health? Or even make you look a lot better? It’s time for a paradigm shift everyone!

   Some people regularly experience symptoms in their bodies they can’t really describe, and these people usually conclude it must be malaria, or some other sickness endemic to our tropical weather. Also, our not-so-perfect medical system isn’t helping matters. Some other people have worse symptoms, like:

- Arthritis

- Hormone imbalances

- Heart disease

- Memory loss

- Cancer

- Skin disorders

These they treat with conventional methods, with lots of drugs, which only gives temporary relief. But wouldn’t it be much better if you can improve your health right from the root cause? And how?

We live in a dangerously toxic environment. Deaths related to our toxic diet and lifestyles are on the rise, from heart disease, cancer and stroke. Diabetes and obesity have increased drastically over the last few decades, due to the ‘Standard American Diet’ and similar diets in different countries. Many of these diseases are caused by toxin accumulation in body tissues, which overwhelm the body’s vital functions. These toxins are dangerous chemicals which find their way into our soil, water bodies, subsequently finding their way into our bodies and build-up. They could be:

·    Carbon monoxide from exhaust fumes of cars and buses.

·    Heavy metals like lead, from our refineries & plants.

·    Pesticides sprayed on our farm produce, which get stored in our fatty tissues.

·    Herbicides & fertilizers that make their way into our underground water reservoirs.

·    Volatile compounds emitted from office equipment like laser printers, photocopiers and computers.

·    Cigarette smoke which contains carbon monoxide, tar, lead, nicotine and sulfur oxides.

·    Solvents in some household products, eg formaldehyde, phenol, benzene.

   Even if we lived in a perfect environment, our bodies create different toxins within, during its regular functioning. But these can be eliminated by our bodies very easily. It is the overwhelming toxic burden from the environment that is our undoing.

   We literally ‘feel’ the ‘battle’ within our bodies between our cells and toxins, through the symptoms we come down with. As you look in the mirror, you see the results of the war: premature aging, sickness, chronic fatigue, dry brittle skin, etc.

   So with all this, what’s the good news?

   The good news is that, you don’t have to sit and watch your right to good health slip by you. Your body was designed to stay strong and healthy well into old age, through a vast array of defensive mechanisms. All you have to do is help your body in cleansing itself of toxins & discover better health and vitality. Even conditions like heart disease, hypertension and diabetes can be reversed via a good detoxification regimen.

BENEFITS OF REGULAR FASTING

   Fasting is an age-old practice, there are different methods to it. Some methods are good, while others are very unsafe. Total fasting -no food or water taken- is not recommended. Your body needs about a litre of water a day to survive. What is recommended here for the purpose of detoxification is a partial fast and juice fast. An appropriate regimen can last for about two to six weeks, depending on you and your doctor’s decision.

Why should I fast?

-1)Fasting gives your digestive tract the rest it needs once in a while.

-2) This period of rest allows your already overworked liver catch up with its job of detoxification.

-3)Your blood & lymphatic system gets cleansed from toxin build-up.

4)Your body cells have time to heal, repair and be strengthened.      5)A wonderful benefit of fasting is losing excess body fat.

This alone will have profound effects on our health and body image.

When should I not fast?

    An effective fasting regimen should be embarked upon after consultation with a physician, especially if you have a disease condition. You shouldn’t fast:

§  If you’re pregnant or nursing a baby.

§  If you’re a Type 1 diabetic.

§  If you’re struggling with mental illness or major depression.

§  If you’re on certain medications/drugs, consult your doctor first.

§  If you’re severely malnourished or immunocompromised.

§  Children below 18 years of age should fast under the supervision of a doctor.

   Regular fasting, a healthy diet and lifestyle are two wonderful ways to make you feel and look much better than you have in years. To keep this new glow of health, you will have to fast regularly to maintain it.

What are the spiritual benefits of fasting?

   Fasting also provides benefits for your relationship with God, not just your health.

ü Fasting can help us tame unhealthy cravings for sugary and fatty foods……even help reduce our enormous serving sizes, part of building temperance.

ü Fasting helps tame out-of-control emotions like anger that raises our stress levels and makes us act wrongly.

ü Fasting detaches us from the bustle of normal life, enhancing paradigm shifts in our thinking and providing raw, practical wisdom for everyday living.

   You can incorporate these benefits into your fasting, by setting aside a portion of the Bible to read each day, meditating on it and asking God for understanding and guidance. Also, pray as often as possible and listen, believing that He will speak to you.

   In a nutshell, fasting and detoxification will:

- Prevent and even reverse disease.

- Provide you with more energy.

- Help you lose weight.

- Clear up your skin and complexion.

- Help you feel closer to God, with the evidence of more wisdom for living.

   FOODS TO AVOID DURING YOUR FAST

- Sugary soft drinks.

- Alcoholic drinks, including wine.

- Deep-fried foods & processed vegetable oils.

- Eggs.

- Processed juices.

- Wheat products, white bread.

- Dairy products like yoghurts, cheese, ice cream.

- Simple sugars, honey, candies, cakes and pies.

Some of these may be part of a healthy diet, but for the period of your fast you should avoid them so your body rests.

  FOODS YOU SHOULD EAT

ü Fruits, in different shapes and sizes, except not recommended by your doctor. A glass of freshly juiced fruit is a wonderful breakfast idea.

ü

Vegetables, eaten raw whenever possible. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage are very important. Liver-friendly vegetables like beans, carrot, and green peas are good too.

ü Liver-friendly starches like brown rice, whole wheat bread and rice pasta.

ü Good fats like olive oil, flaxseed oil (not for cooking), and fish oil. Also, fruits like avocadoes are a good source of essential omega-3 fats.

ü Lots of clean, drinking water, organic green tea & other herbal teas, lemon/lime juices.

    Food supplements from reputable companies & brands could be taken along with your diet to aid the program.

    It starts with a solid decision; the choice is yours to ‘snatch’ your good health back!

REFERENCES/RECOMMENDED READING

- Get Healthy Through Detox And Fasting-Revitalize Your Body In 28 Days by Dr Don Colbert.

- The Halleluyah Diet by George Malkmus.

- Toxic Relief by Dr Don Colbert.

- Stress Less by Dr Don Colbert.

By Enyinda Sandra, 500 level medical student,fitness expert, model and our very own former 'miss PUMSA'. Thanks a lot dear. 

 you can all send in ur write-ups,tips,suggestions that are info-worthy to our mail pumsalite@yahoo.co.uk , have a swell day ahead.