Water fasting, when done in healthy moderation, is scientifically proven to help regenerate cell growth, clear out years of waste from clogged bowels, may reverse various diseases, and helps to clear the mind of brain fog and other mental ailments such as headaches, anxiety, and disorganization.
What once struck me as wild - consuming nothing but water? PSHAW - has now become a regular staple of my health protocol.
I first heard about water fasting from a web development client of mine, a neuroscientist who, after developing a throat tumor, chose to water fast before undergoing any serious surgeries or medical treatments.
This, of course, shocked me. A scientific doctor choosing to shirk his brethren for the sake of potential and natural healing?!
But then it worked.
His first 5-day fast yielded striking results. A tumor in remission, with a reduction in size??? That was unheard of.
One-year later, he was cancer free and I was building his website where he offered water-fasting retreats to high-ticket clients looking to take their health to the next level.
As I built out his site, the research I read was insane. And so I began with a simple 3-day fast. No other reason than to try it, I dove in head first and embarked on what would become one of my favorite methods of physical detoxification and organ cleansing.
Healthy water fasting isn't done all willy-nilly, fast and silly. A well-intended water fast should be done with preparation and good intentions.
It takes three, well-planned phases to ensure that your water fast goes as well as possible.
Do your research before you conduct a water fast.
Understand what to expect from the experience, both positive and negative, and what you need to have around you to be properly prepared for the experience.
If you are pregnant or nursing, water fasting is not for you.
If you struggle with an eating disorder, water fasting is not for you.
If you're on specific medications, water fasting may not be for you.
So do you research before you dive in to make sure the journey you're about to embark on is one that you should even be taking.
Spend at least three days, or as much as up to one week, detoxing your body before you start your fast.
Stop eating any greasy or salty foods, all sugars, any intoxicants, and any overly processed foods. This will give you the cleanest slate possible for you detox AND minimize your risk for withdrawal headaches from things like sugar or toxins.
Take that time to also drink as much water as possible to prepare your body for the detox flush of water fasting. Yes, you'll consume a lot of, and only, water during your fasting period, but if your body is consuming a lot of water beforehand it'll help flush out more toxins before you begin.
It's advised that you fast with purified drinking water to eliminate any additional toxicity while you're fasting.
If you don't have access to healthy drinking water, or you know your city water supply is less than pure, purchase at least 10 gallons of water per day for your fast.
As for the longevity, most people plan for a 3-day fast and then see how they feel after that. Typically, I plan for a 3-day fast, once per month, and usually, by the third day, I'm happy to go for another 2 days, making my fast a total of 5-days. In that instance, I plan to have 50 gallons of purified water in my house, or easily accessible nearby.
If this is your first fast, plan to keep it short with a 3-day fast and be open to extending it to 5-days if you're feeling good after day 3.
When you re-incorporate solid foods back into your system, take it slow. There is no binge eating permitted when you get to the re-feeding phase.
You'll also want to be conscientious of what you choose to eat.
Most people who water fast tend to crave healthy food when they come out of it. Ahh, the power of a good fast! It clears out the toxic cells and recalibrates the taste buds, all in one go.
But just in case you anticipate cravings, prepare healthy foods in your household for when you hit the re-feeding period, and plan to eat those in very small portions.
When I'm done fasting, I like to re-feed with a light salad and a piece of fruit. I avoid protein for at least 24 hours, as a personal preference. I find protein feels too heavy on my system after water fasting.
However, if I have a protein powder nearby that I enjoy, I might make a small protein shake to go with my salad.
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