Fasting: techniques and applications

Fasting is a method not only for losing weight, but also for treating various diseases. In this article we will look at various fasting techniques, as well as their areas of application.

Methods and types of fasting

There are several types of fasting, which differ in duration and conditions.

Complete fasting involves abstaining from eating, but the drinking regime is not limited. This type of fasting is often called "wet". With complete fasting, it is advisable to achieve a “ketoacidotic crisis”, which in most patients occurs on days 7-9.

Absolute fasting involves complete abstinence from food and liquid intake. This type of fasting is called "dry". The lack of liquid promotes faster breakdown of fat. Also, a “dry” 3-day fasting treatment corresponds in effectiveness to a 7-9 day “wet” fasting. In clinical practice, short-term, 1-3-day fasts of this type are usually used.

Combined fasting involves the simultaneous use of “dry” and “wet” options. During the first 1-3 days (according to individual tolerance), patients are asked to abstain from food and water; starting from 2-4 days, water intake is resumed. This sequence allows for a faster onset of “ketoacidotic crisis,” which shortens the treatment time for patients.

According to the duration of “wet” food abstinence, they are divided into small (1-2 days), medium (from 3 to 7 days) and long (from 7 to 40 or more days).

Based on the combination of the duration of the unloading and recovery periods, the following methods are available:

1. Fractional therapeutic fasting: usually involves three repeated cycles of fasting treatment. The average duration of the fasting period (therapeutic fasting) is 14 days, restorative nutrition - 34 days. The duration of the interval between individual cycles of fasting treatment, including the period of restorative nutrition, is 62 days. The total duration of treatment is six months.

2. Stepped therapeutic fasting: provides for the duration of the fasting period until the first manifestations of an acidotic crisis (usually on the 5-7th day of fasting). This is followed by a recovery period equal in duration to half the fasting period (1st stage), after which a repeat cycle of fasting treatment is carried out, but with an increase in the duration of the fasting period to 7-10 days (2nd stage). This is followed again by a recovery period equal in duration to half the fasting period. In the future, repeated cycles of fasting treatment can be carried out, increasing the duration of the fasting period at each stage.

3. Intermittent fasting: involves doing short-term fasts (usually 1-2 days) at regular intervals (for example, every week or every month).

Applications of fasting

Fasting can be used to treat various diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, allergies, dermatitis, bronchial asthma, gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney disease and urinary tract, neuroses, nervous disorders, depression, insomnia.

Fasting can also be used to prevent diseases, to cleanse the body of toxins and waste, to strengthen the immune system, to improve metabolism, to increase performance and physical endurance.

However, it must be remembered that fasting is not a universal treatment method and may be contraindicated in some cases, for example, in the presence of acute and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pregnancy and lactation, a weakened state of the body, and childhood. Therefore, before starting fasting, you should consult your doctor.