FASTING

❖ LANGHANAM PARAMOUSHADAM
❖ HINDUS- UPOVANAM
❖ From English word ‘FASTEN’

DEFINITIONS ACCORDING TO:

1. HERBERT M. SHELTON
A fast means an absolute abstinence from taking any kind of food forced
with a view of giving rest to the different organs of the body and their processes
there by helping them to get cleansed.

2. Dr. ALLEN:
Fasting is useful instruments for maintenance of health, prevent much more
suffering, improve health and prolong the life.

3. Dr. HENRY LINDLAHR:

Fasting is the safe natural way to health to remove the accumulated toxins of the
body.

4. HORWARD ERRINGTON:
Fasting is complete abstinence of all food and nourishment. For a greater or lesser
period of time.

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

❖ The most ancient record was found in Greek civilisation.

❖ SOCRATES & PLATO – Observed 10 days of fasting for their mental & physiological
efficiency.

❖ PYTHAGORUS- Observed 40 days of fasting before his exams and also advised his
students to do the same
 ❖ ANCIENT EGYPTIANS – Treated syphilis with fasting

❖ HIPPOCRATES- explained fasting during critical period of disease

❖ ARAB PHYSICIANS- Used to fast 3-5weeks for

❖ ASCELAPIUS- Fasted for jaundice and epilepsy along with hydrotherapy

HIPPOCRATES- explained fasting during critical period of disease

IN 15TH CENTURY – The Russian physician Vansicks said fasting is therapeutic measure
for high degree disorders.

IN 16TH CENTURY – The Swiss physician Paracelsus – Fasting is great remedy for diseases

Dr. ADOLF MAYOR-Fasting is most efficient means of curing diseases.

IN 17TH CENTURY- Dr. Hoffman wrote book called “Description of magnificient results
obtained from fasting”

PHAUSIS-Fasted twice for a week

JESUS CHRIST- Fasted for 40days

BENEDICT-Says many recorded incidents of prolonged or religious. Fasting is crowded by

superstitious and show look of observed ……. That they are with value of ……..

STORY OF AGNICOLA- In ancient Rome called ciccso. His nephew Agnicola was suffering
from intolerable pain stomach. At last, he made up his mind to end his suffering by
fasting till death, because he thought he would punish his stomach. He believed it to be
the cause of his disease. The result was not be but disease died leaving him alive of ….

Dr.Deeve – who lived in 19th century in America, rediscovered fasting cure said a patient
when stops taking food ,it is disease that dies and not patient die due to starvation . He
also believed that every bit of food is s tool to vitality.
Dr.Henry S. Tanes – Fasted for 42 days ….. FATHER OF THERAPEUTIC FASTING

PLUTARCH – He advised instead of taking medicine rather fast a day. He also said that
regular of life is superior to medicine& drugs.

CELSUS- Though he was not a physician but advised abstinence from food
According to his 2 degrees of abstinence
1st degree – when sick man takes nothing
2nd degree –sick man takes nothing but ought to be

Dr.ML.Halbrook- is Father of Fasting cure.He is one of the prominent hygienist after

…century.He says that fasting is not the cunning ….of priest but it is mostpowerful of
safest of medicine .

In 1923 Sergius Mongules , a Professor of biochemistry in University of Nebrasko

college of Medicine wrote a book Fasting of Under Nutrition – In Sep 1829, the Journal
of health published by Association of physician says that fasting is distinct of religious
audiences. Fasting has been frequently recommended and practised as a means of
removing…. incipient disease of restoring the body to its gealthful sensation.

FRANKLIN- He used to fast once in a week

NAPOLEON – When he felt that his digestive system is disturbed, he used to go for
horse riding with fasting.

ANTON CARLSON- He was professor of physio in university of Chicago who died on

fasting

CM.JACKSON- In 1925 wrote a book ‘the effect of ….. of malnutrition in growth &
destruction’

TILDON- He observed various aspects of fasting

PROF.CM.CHILD- of University of Chicago conducted experiment with worms and found

that worm in fasting for a long time it doesn’t die but became smaller and smaller living
in its own tissue for months because it is fed, it begins to grow and start a b=new life as
younger as even it was

SYLVESTER GRAHM- He advocated fasting in 1852 in his book on cholera. He

recommended fasting for cholera & febrile condition.

FEDRICK.M. ALTER- In 1915, he discovered the starvation treatment for diabetes.

DR. HAFORD-He employed fasting for diabetes in 1906.He worked for 30.. on
therapeutic fasting.

DR. DEWER- successfully employed fasting in diabetes in 1878.When a person fasts, he

found that the vital power is supported without food, mental & physical strength
increase with decrease of symptom. A cure without aid of remedies and one that was
eminently complete in every way. No unusual wasting of the body. Lastly,he wrote book
‘True science of living’

Dr.GUELPER- He advised short fasting in treatment of diabetes & other chronic

disorders.The English Translation was published in 1912 under title AUTO INTOXICATION
& … .On account of a new fasting treatment in a diabetes & other chronic diseases .Levt
was practised in English churches & by Romans before Christ & it is the abstinence from
only a certain types of food and not from all. During Ramzan,Muslims observe
abstinence from food starting from sunrise to sunset & they also say that fasting is gate
to religion .

Dr.Page- He wrote a book ‘The nature cure of ..’ & Other diseases in which he has
shown the mischieveness of feeding the sick.

Dr. Keith-He quoted that there is no doubt that a simple & short is converted to severe
& large one by feeding the sick.

Hippocrates- said that sicker the body, the more it is hurt by feeding
Charles C. Hastell & Llyod Johes- they are the personal advocacy writings & publications
has done much to spread the new gospel of health throughout Australia.

Dr.CE.Page of Boston & Dr.Henry S.Tannes – has done scientific fasting with mayer
 In 20th century, Herbert M.Shelton,MaeFaden conducted scientific studies of fasting on
patient & themselves & they have written many books on fasting , the eminent scientist
who have contributed to knowledge of fasting are:

OPTON SINCLAIR- Fasting cure

Edward, Earle, Purington- Philosophy of fasting

Herman- why did Jesus fast?

Julra Shelton –Fasting for rejuvenation

Harward Carrington – Fasting, Nutrition, and vitality

Denald Upton –Effects of fasting

Henry S. Tanner- 40 days of fasting

FASTING IN ANCIENT INDIA

❖ For all the disease caused due to toxins, Fasting is best cure
❖ Fasting has 2-fold values:
1. Hygienic (purification of body)
2. Religious (purification of mind)

More practised among Jains, custom in Jains chandrayana, where they start with mouthful
of food .16-day programme where each day from 1st day they decrease. One mouthful on
16th food and then …. Again. During fasting there is no dander, water sustain life during
fasting & provide strength. Advice taking of water during fasting.

In Chandogya Upanishad,

A father asks son to chant Slokass when he couldn’t, so father will ask him to fast for 15
days. Again, asked him to chant Vedas. He couldn’t then after taking food he was able to
chant Vedas. Fasting increases digestion. During fasting, digestive power is reduced but
after fasting it improves. So, one should break the fast properly.

In ancient books – fasting can also cure disease

❖ 1st 3 days – one should eat only during day time

❖ Next 3 days – one should eat only during night time
❖ Next 3 days – one should eat only when given / offered by someone else
❖ Next 3 days – one should fast.

Amavasya & poornima – One should observe fasting in night time. During ehatudasi &
Ashtami, one should observe fasting in daytime. During Ekadashi, one should observe
fasting whole day & night. This is to maintain health, fasting helps in removal of toxins &
purification of mind.

• In Ayurveda sutra, they advise fasting along with deep breath exercise for prolonging
life & also cure the disease.
• This explains why, health is important, religion, wealth, sex, liberation. For attaining
all this health is very important.
• For eye disorders, digestive disorders, cold, ulcer, fever abscess. For curing these
disorders, fasting is best cure.
• Irrespective of any disease, fasting helps both physically & mentally.

STARVATION HISTORY

❖ The term Starvation is referred by many naturopaths.

❖ Actually, in 19th century in island so many people died due to starvation because of
Famine.
❖ 1950 - seen in Poland people
❖ 1916-It was seen in central Qwait
❖ Somalia- Now, also famine condition is existing.
❖ Many people are dying because of starvation. In 19.. Jackson told the term starvation
used to indicate complete ……

Dr. Tarrington – differentiated between starvation & fasting, starvation leads to death.
Fasting leads to physiological health.

Dr. Page – We shouldn’t use the term starvation for fasting.

Dr. Syneteair – The true starvation begins when proteins, gets utilised

Dr. Marguilis – derived starvation into 4 stages:

▪ 1st stage- transition from the state of adequate feeding to basal metabolism of
fasting.
▪ 2nd stage- There will be reduction of physical & physiological activity.
▪ 3rd stage –Not well marked
▪ 4th stage- pathological changes are seen in 1st, 2nd are period of fasting. Last 2 stages
are period of starvation

METABOLISM IN STARVATION

➢ Deprivation of food, water, salt will be there.

➢ Body utilises water – 1week, salt -2-week, food – 3-4 week
➢ Largest survival in human being 9-10 week. General body condition 1st 2days of
starvation there will be craving of food /. When food is supplied, Deprivation is
subsided. Patient will be physically & mentally weak & semi-conscious state.
▪ Temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, heart rate – decreases.
▪ Steady loss of weight
▪ Degeneration of tissue like muscle tissue starts in later part of life.

FASTING STARVATION

1. Fasten –to observe Starvation- death

2. For definite period of time Definite period of time

3. Terminates natural hunger Leads to death

4. Assisted voluntary Involuntary

5. Only hunger will be present Both hunger & appetite will be

present

6. Leads to health Leads to ill health

7. With proper mental preparation Without proper mental preparation

 8. Scientific Not scientific

9. Physical & mental rest is needed Physical & mental rest is absent

10. Cells, tissues become healthy They are destroyed

11. Toxins are eliminated Along with toxins vital tissues are lost

12. Person appears healthy & happy Emaciated

13. Advocated by all religion All regions are against starvation

14. People will live spiritually healthy & They are tempted to do crime
happy life

15. No craving for food Craving for food

FASTING IN ANIMALS

HERBERT.M. SHELTON

▪ It is the complete voluntary abstinence from taking any type of food for a particular
period of time in order to give rest to digestive system. During fasting eliminative
system is activated. Fasting helps in curing diseases.

▪ Animals know how to take care of them. When it is not well it won't take food.

e.g.: a group of wounded elephants don't take food.

▪ Even healthy animals undergo fasting in mating season.eg: salmon fish. When they
are angry, excited or when the food is not available when they are hungry.

1. Salmon fish:
▪ feeding ground and breeding ground.
▪ Before going to the breeding, it will put on more body fat which is going to be stored.
 2. Alaska's sea bull: during mating season it will lose on weight.

3. Female ants: after mating process the male ants will die and female ants finds a place
and lay the eggs-daughter ants will be the food -until then the female ants will fast.

❖ Fasting during accidental imprisonment.

❖ Fasting during winter - hibernation.

❖ Fasting during summer - aestivation.

INANITION:

The period between omission of first meal and return of natural hunger is called
fasting. Fasting beyond natural hunger is starvation and causes death. The period
between omission of first meal to death due to starvation is called inanition.

CLASSIFICATION:

1. Physiological inanition- hibernation and aestivation.

2. Pathological inanition- vomiting, diarrhoea, oesophageal constriction.
3. Accidental inanition- experimental.
4. Chronic inanition- weakness, indigestion.

MORGUILIUS divided inanition into four stages:

1. Period of transition from state of adequate feeding to the basal metabolism of fasting.
2. Reduction of physical and physiological activity.
3. Not well marked.
4. Pathological changes.

❖ He says first two stages are period of fasting and last two stages are period of starvation.
 HIBERNATION AND AESTIVATION

AESTIVATION:

1. Summer sleep fasting.

2. Digestion of food produces heat so they reduce their food intaking.
e.g.: Lung fish of south America, ground squirrel, crocodile, alligator,
chimp monk.

HIBERNATION:
❖ It is done by animals during winter.
a) move to less cold areas.
b) hibernate to sleep.
c) fight against cold.
❖ Animals which undergo hibernation- pulse rate drops
• Wood chuck -80- 4 to 5 bpm
• squirrel- 360- 3 bpm
• Bat- 180 - 2 to 3 bpm

Breathing rate:
❖ wood chuck- from 25-30/min to 1/min. squirrels-from 100 -
200/min to 1-2/min.

Temperature:
❖ Wood chuck-from 100 to 40-degree F.
❖ Bat -from 96.8 to 87-degree F.
OBJECTIVES OF FASTING:

❖ Fasting may prove dangerous to life.

❖ Fasting weakens body.

❖ Fear of losing weight.

❖ Gastric secretion may eat up stomach mucosa.

❖ Prepare them mentally and educate them.

❖ Seen in person lived in unnatural way-all toxins are

eliminated headache and weakness felt.

According to Robert Walter:

❖ Person is made weak in order to make strong after fast.

❖ During disease body is filled with sick flesh which is then replaced by
healthy flesh by proper diet.
❖ During fasting secretion reduces from 500 ml to60 ml. Slight acidic
mucosa is secretion helps in elimination.

METHOD OF FASTING
❖ Abstinence without water, mental stability should be strong.
❖ Water- only by taking water.
❖ Juice- acidic juices- oranges, lemon, mosambi
❖ Alkaline juices- apple, ash guard, pomegranate
❖ Fruit- taken when patients are weak, cannot maintain with juices.
METHOD TO FAST:

❖ According to nature cure, there are 3 types of diet-

1. Eliminative
2. Smoothening
3. constructive diet.

Eliminative diet- fasting 3 days lemon juice, 4th day break with mosambi juice,
5th day plantain with buttermilk.

Soothening diet- raw diet

Constructive diet- boiled diet.

AUXILLORIES OF FASTING:

❖ Tildon says little knowledge is dangerous. Fasting requires latent and

experience. Without anybody’s supervision one should not do fasting
basically for cleansing process.

WHERE TO FAST: surrounded by cool air, plenty of water, better place are
nature cure centers.

REST: one should be given complete rest while fasting- physical, mental,
sensory and physiological rest.

PHYSICAL REST:

• activity depends on energy possessed by him and rest given to body.

Rest is necessary to maintain fast. Obese person should go for activity.
• “Rest and sleep” are nature’s grand representatives of recuperative or
restorative processes; whereas activity and excitement are grand
representatives of expenditure.
• During fasting energy is gained by stored food. These stores are broken
down if one goes for activity without rest.
• Dr. Daniel says rest from physical exertion is necessary when fasting for
any length of time.
• A man with vigour can fast for 24 hours without any rest doing his daily
activity. To continue fast he has to rest. Fever patients has to take rest
 while fasting till his temperature returns to normal and digestion
becomes normal.
• One can go for moderate exercises- yoga
• Rest not only relaxes but also fastens process of recovery.

MENTAL REST:
• Mind is difficult to control. This is more during fasting. One should think
positively and constructively.
• Disease is a consequence of incorrect dietary habits and life styles.
• Remain cheerful throughout fasting.
• Avoid anger, fear & worries and try to be cheerful and confident.
• Concentrate on positive thoughts and read good books which give
peace.
• Isolation
• Faster who listens to radio, sees tv gets emotionally involved and
becomes either excited or depressed.

SENSORY: physical discomfort disturbs sleep and rest.

PHYSIOLOGICAL REST: by reducing and suspending the activity GIT gets rest.
Catabolism is reduced. Anabolism is reduced less compared to catabolism.
Functions represented by catabolism & anabolism will get rest.

PHYSICAL RULES OF FASTING

1. WATER DRINKING:
There are 2 fellows who specified about water drinking. They are
• Margulis- he says who do fast voluntarily, they should take plenty of
water during fast.
• Davy- take water only if u feel thirsty. He advised to take water (warm)
and cold in intervals.
Pure well water has to be taken.
➢ To eliminate toxic matter (nitrogenous waste products) one has to
take plenty of water.
 ➢ During fasting, patient doesn’t take external food. So water should be
taken to avoid dehydration. Water also increases bulk in intestine
and increases peristaltic movement.

2. ENEMA:
To stimulate peristaltic movements & to eliminate toxic matter from
intestine, enema is compulsory during fasting.

3. TEMPERATURE:
Faster should be kept warm to conserve heat.

4. BATHING:
Daily bath should be taken. Too much hot or cold should be avoided.
Neutral baths are taken. Sponge bath can be given.

5. SUNBATH:
It is advised during fasting. Body exposed to sunlight on early morning
and evening.

6. EXERCISE:
Mac Fadden did experiment on himself. He went on fasting and vigorous
exercise and reduced 15 pounds. So, exercise can be given but yoga is
preferred as it is static.

7. FRESH AIR:
Room should be well ventilated. Best way one can go for pranayama.

8. MUD APPLICATION:
It can be advised as it absorbs excess of heat from the body.

9. TREATMENTS:
Hip bath, spinal bath, massage advised. Steam bath & sauna both are
avoided.
BREAKING OF FAST:
Compared to pre-fasting, post-fasting period has some important
criteria.
➢ Tongue- coated white due to decrease in saliva. This coating should not
be there.
Pale yellow coating- anemia, jaundice
Black- fungal infections
Silver- mercury poisoning
End of fasting coating should not be there. This is the indication.
➢ Breath- if acidosis- pleasant smell, shows starvation where we should
stop fast. At end of fast breath should be clear.
➢ Hunger- after fasting, hunger returns back. At beginning there is no
hunger feeling. Then one starts feeling hungry, that is when we should
break the fast.
➢ Condition of blood supply- by observing nail bed.
➢ Clear taste in mouth,
➢ Excretion normal, without odor.
➢ Urine should be clear.
➢ One should feel sense of rejuvenation.
➢ Skin excretion and other excretion process becomes normal & normal
saliva returns.
➢ Eyes become bright. Eyesight is improved.
➢ Pulse should become regular and normal.

PHILOSOPHY OF FASTING

1) relation of life with health and disease

2) theory of fasting
3) objectives of fasting

RELATION OF LIFE WITH HEALTH AND DISEASE

❖ Health and disease are 2 folds of life. Life begins in another living body,
unknown to scientists and man does belong to invisible world.
HEALTH: it includes 3 components. Body, mind and soul.
❖ Right way of living, law of hygiene,
❖ Lakshman Sharma tells prevention is only cure.
❖ Goal of life: we should express the true nature.
❖ Body is made up of 5 building parts- ether, air, water, light, food.
Fasting is the best practical method to promote health and prevent
disease. Health and disease are 2 aspects of living body. It is very important to
know the importance of life because without life, body can’t exist. Life begins
as small living particle inside another living body. It is the life that makes it into
an independent body with all organisms. Life is an unknown thing for scientists
because life is invisible. It doesn’t belong to our visible world. Effect of life can
be studied but it is beyond the physical and chemical science.
Gita says about life as- the deluded one do not see but those of
enlightened mind do see the dwelling spirit. The average man has his mind
turned outwards because his sense organs are only means of knowledge. The
self-existent one made sense organ open outward.
Our power to do any good work either to ourselves or to others depends
mainly on the health. This in turn depends upon how we live. Diseased person
has to learn the law of right living. This law of right living concern not only with
the diseased person but also with healthy person because health is not merely
absence of bodily suffering. Nobody is perfectly healthy. All will have some, on
the other latent disease which is more dangerous. Health depends upon body,
mind and soul. When these 3 are balanced the person will be in healthy
condition. Laxman Sharma says prevention is only cure because it saves us
from evil disobedience and directs us for following right way of living. He says
that law of hygiene is the integral part of brahma dharma. It is nothing but
religion that is expression of one’s own nature. This nature of man imposes
certain laws on him which he cannot change. Krishna says dharma is unfolding
of one’s own nature that is one should do it actions with single purpose and
seeking no rewards, should be done without fear. If karma is done in right way,
then proper result we will get without any effort.
To understand the dharma first we shall know what man is in his true
nature, what he seems to be. We should understand man is not body, senses
and near intellect, he is beyond all this are untainted Anand. Man knows about
him as he had born and one day he will die and he depends mainly on food and
other things for happiness. His interest is at the body level. For understanding
his real nature, he can go for yoga practice i.e., aggressive regaining of one’s
true nature. Vital heat by which living body is maintained is product of life.
During prolonged fast, faster keeps up this body as both house and workshop
which life builds for itself but whether house built is right or wrong depends
upon building materials. This is of five folds. - ether, air, light, water, food.
These five are needful for life and health in a certain order. Ether is most
valuable in life where as food is least valuable and is grossest one but because
of our science food is treated all in all. Others are neglected. This is main cause
for unhappiness, chronic disease.
Ether power comes from fasting. Other procedures while breathing,
basking, bath, eating are other means for obtaining other four. Fasting is
highest of all and it gives atma Sakthi and mental health. Health depends upon
the vital force and right structures of body. Pre importance is given to vital
force. This we can get by vital economy. Fasting is a part of vital economy. For
right structure of body, right food is important. Effect of right living is to
maintain the body purity and lightness which is very necessary to perform any
sort of work. Disease is not cured by medicine but by right way of living.
Feeding the ill results in accumulation of toxins. Safest remedy is to remove by
fasting.

FASTING IN ACUTE DISEASE

Acute disease: nature’s effort to eliminate the toxins from the body & to repair
injury to living tissue. It is in reality with nature’s principle. It is healing &
cleaning effort of nature.

Starting stage of disease: -

• Lowered vitality – by unnatural way of living.

• Abnormal composition of blood & lymph.
• Accumulation of morbid matter.

In acute disease body try to eliminate the accumulated products. In such cases
if food is taken energy directed towards digestion-feeds the disease-chronic
disease-fasting- energy diverted to elimination. During acute disease GI tract
coated with slimy waste products, so to proper digests

Acute disease: cold, cough, eruptions, self-limiting disease. He /she should

have physiological & psychological rest.

Effects of feeding during acute disease:

• Aggravates the disease

• Lowers the health of person
• It may lead to chronic disease
• It will take more time to get cured

Rules should be followed:

• Complete rest
• Stay in open air
• Should drink more water
• Should take enema daily
 • Sponge bath can be given
• 4 times juices

Supportive treatments:

• cold hip bath

• neutral chest pack
• hot foot immersion.

Fasting in chronic disease

Chronic disease: it is condition of organism where lowered vitals due to

accumulation of organism has progressed to such extent that nature’s healing
forces can no longer able to fight back the disease conditions.

Suppression of acute disease – more accumulation of foreign matter

Accumulation of foreign matter:

❖ Fermentation
❖ Inflammation

Fermentation: normal bacterial flora – pathogenic form – gives rise to gases

Inflammation & its stages: -

1. Incubation
2. Aggravations
3. Destruction
4. Abatement
5. Reconstruction

Chronic disease – increases the appetite but person should undergo gradual
fasting. During fasting – microorganisms are stored & tissues are
reconstructed. So, one should go for intermittent fasting.

Fasting: -

❖ Serious
❖ No need of food, improve metabolism
❖ No harm to body, physical and mental health increases
Starvation: -

❖ Fatal
❖ Need of food
❖ Leads to death

Crisis during fasting; -

a) Headache – due to stoppage of irritating agents like tobacco, smoking etc.,

Due to constipation
Due to decreased water intake during 1st & 2nd fasting
b) Remedy: HFB, ice massage on head, increased water intake, complete rest.
c) Diarrhoea: increased stool weight more than 500 gm with bowel action
more than 2-3 times a day.
4 types:
1. Osmotic – gut wall acts as a semipermeable
2. Inflammatory - due to infection
3. Abnormal motility – seen in diabetes due to abnormal motility of gut.
4. Volume of stool – same but patients will be affected like going for
excretion frequently

Remedy – apple juice with ice

d) MMC – migratory motor complex

3 phases: -

1. Motor quickness (early stage)

2. Irregular contractile ability
3. Regular phasic contraction
❖ The above cycle last for 90 minutes
❖ In duodenum phase 3 which is associated with increased gastric
secretion. Exact role of MMC is not to clear , this helps to eliminate
secretion, residual food .acts as anal house keeper.

e) Bad taste of mouth – Halitosis(psychology) occurs after 2-3 days of fasting.

Remedy – cleansing the mouth.

f) Insomnia – common during 1st few days of fasting because unprepared
mind for fasting, gradually vanishes.

Remedy – head massage, meditation.

g) Dizziness – vague feeling of unsteadiness like vertigo on gets up from bed.

Remedy – proper rest.

h) Spitting – common in those who takes tobacco, coffee.

i) Fever – increased body temperature, kills bacteria. Remedy – sponge bath.

j) Vomiting – centres in medulla associated with hypersalivation, sweat.

Nausea & pallor

Strong involuntary movement of vomit

Vomiting

Local causes – medicines.

CNS disorders – ulcerative conditions, uraemia.

Reflex conditions – appendicitis.

Remedy – ice cold compress on abdomen, cold dipping.

According to Dr.Kilzer – difficulty in breathing is nature’s indication to

discontinue fasting.

Retro Sternal pain – remedy – lukewarm water.

Skin rashes – may be some part or whole body.

Remedy – immersion bath with Epsom salt, neem oil

Increased or decreased pulse – may go up to stoppage of beats depends on

patients. Dangerous one has to stop fasting.

Retention of urine – seen in prolonged fasting.

Diuretic juices, barley juice, ash guard juices

General symptoms: -

❖ General body pain, burning sensation in body, sore throat, inflammation,

palpitation, anxiety.
❖ Visual defects - seen in prolonged fasting

Religious fasting purposes: -

❖ For self-purification
❖ To attain moksha
❖ For restoration of health
❖ To greet the god
❖ For prevention of disease

Fasting in Muslims: -

❖ During month of Ramzan, they fast. According to Quran, one has to fast
to get self-purification in physical, mental, spiritual to go near to God.

PROS AND CONS OF FASTING

Effect of Fasting on CNS:

• Sharpness of special senses

• He will feel younger
• Fasting purifies body and speeds up the elimination
• Digestion will be improved
• It provides opportunity to the body to heal on its own or displace the
medicines
• Teaches better eating habits
• Controls tension and emotion
• Reduces pain
• Reduces weight, BP, cholesterol level
• Useful in acute and chronic diseases
• Seeks attention of society
• Gives freshness, rest to CNS
• Brings back health of rejuvenation
 Contra indication:

• Fear of fasting
• Pregnancy and lactation (malnutrition)
• T.B, diabetes, thyrotoxicosis
• Extreme degenerative disease of emaciation, children and old age
• Nutritional deficiency disorders like PEM, night blind, scurvy etc
• Advanced cardiac diseases, increase BMR, hypoadrenalism
• Post operative cases
• Clear indication of surgery
• Hereditary and genetic disorders
• Advanced kidney and liver disorders

OBESITY AND FASTING

Obesity:

Excessive enlargement of body’s total quantity of fat, results from

imbalance in physiological need and food intake.

• Age and sex – most common in females

• Pregnancy- 10 to 12kg in third trimester, if more than this – obese
• Physical activities - excessive food intake and sedentary lifestyle
• Abnormality in hunger and satiety centre
• Endocrinal disorder - hyperthyroidism Cushing syndrome, NIDDM
• Gastric disorder – duodenal ulcer

METABOLISM AND OBESITY

Increase triglycerides level – increase FFA level – increase lipoprotein lipase

• Mainly acts on triglycerides – breaks it in FFA (free fatty acid)

• Also stimulate hyperplasia of adipocyte
Pathophysiology:

• Adipocytes expand and contract when increase food intake –

hyperplasia of adipocytes.
 • This happens when the adipocytes expand to maximum extent – still
there is intake of food
Assessment of obesity:

• By height and weight ratio

• By skin fold

Complication of obesity:

• Hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus
• Increase risk of gall stones
• Pulmonary complication
• Problem with anaesthesia
• Osteoarthritis and gout
• Increase work load on heart
• Sterility
• Impaired heat tolerance
• Low life expectancy
Treatment:

• Fasting helps in hypertrophy of fat cells

• Inter mediate fasting – 2 to 3 days fast raw diet, then again fast till
the weight reduce
• Juices- lemon + honey – Ash guard juice, exercise can be done
• Stop exercise after 6 days, later fresh fruits in morning, evening raw
diet, afternoon boiled vegetables + chapati + rice.

METABOLISM IN FASTING
General physiology:

• Carbohydrate digestion – saliva - carbohydrate – dextrin

• Stomach – no carbohydrate digestion
 • Intestine – maltase, lactase, sucrase, pancreatic
• Amylase - monosaccharide
• Protein digestion: stomach – pepsinogen – pepsin – intestine –
trypsin, chymotrypsin
• Fat digestion: pancreatic juice.
During fasting, stored fat used for energy purpose by breaking
down in simple form (same way as in digestion).

METABOLISM:

• It is term applied to change those stuffs undergo in body to become

a part in body be used or discarded after use
Anabolism – constructive principles or process
Catabolism – destructive process
• Anabolism – The phase of M in which food which is taken are
assimilated and used dissimilated
• During fasting, anabolism is not depressed but both anabolism and
catabolism go hand in hand.
FASTING METABOLISM

Carbohydrate storage used 1 to 2 days then fat break down starts. if

carbohydrate diet given blood sugar level increases. Weight loss in fasting is
different in different tissues.

• Adipose - 97%
• Spleen – 67%
• Liver - 59%
• Muscles – 31%
• Kidney – 26%
• Intestine – 18%
• Lung – 18%