There are a lot of forms of fasting. It can be a water fast – where only water is consumed. It can also be a fast from any one substance – be it caffeine, alcohol, meat, etc. Some entertain a fast by eating only fruits and vegetables for a given period. Another fasting method is a juice fast. During this period you drink water and a limited amount of 100% juice. This has the similar effects of a water fast but you are still getting energy to keep going comfortably. So this is just a small sample of fasts but any routine of frequent fasts will have profound effects on the health of your mind and body. Methodizing the refrain from certain elements in your diet and lifestyle will begin to instill strength, humility, will, increased health, prospective, and appreciation that will help keep your spirits lifted and your body healthy.

Fasting has always been included in many major religions worldwide. Orthodox Christians believe that fasting aids in the development of self-restraint, which is the source of all good. Mormons fast one Sunday a month to provide assistance to the needy through the contribution of fast offerings, reap the physical benefits of a fast, and to increase humility and spirituality. Muslims fast during daylight hours through the entire Ramadan to remind themselves of the poor, to cleanse the body, and to foster serenity and spiritual devotion.

People have been known to fast for upwards of 100 days. Now granted something of this caliber requires consistent rest, preparation, knowledge, and meditation and it’s not anything I would ever be interested in endeavoring. A five day fast is painful but relatively speaking it is a short fast. However, strength, resolve, and will are all increased and realized when one voluntarily subjects themselves to starvation for 5 days. Relatively large problems are quickly put into perspective. There is also the spiritual satisfaction that comes with making a sacrifice of that magnitude.

Physically speaking there are also many benefits. Detoxification occurs and the toxins that are cached in your digestive system will be cleansed. As fat is metabolized and processed for energy the toxins that were stored are released into the bloodstream and processed out. The palette is also cleared – helping to break the craving for some of these toxins as your body will be weened off of them. It is also believed that as the digestive system shuts down the healing process on your body begins as that energy is diverted to your immune and metabolism systems. Protein synthesis is also proven to increase during a fast – allowing for all protein creation to be directed towards healing.

Personally speaking the first two days are the worst. These are the days where your body hasn’t yet began to efficiently metabolize itself for energy. Extremely low energy, nausea, lightheadedness, dull headache, burning eyes, and hunger pangs all persist. After those first 48 hours energy begins – albeit it comes and goes in waves – to return and I feel a rush of resolve about everything come over me. It’s a very difficult feeling to explain but it’s sort of a complete inner-peace. At this point on the only discomfort is the hunger pangs.

My thoughts are filled with food but I am fairly clear-headed and I can feel the instillation of strength through my will to continue the fast. I try to conserve as much energy as possible however I know the more difficult the fast is the more beneficial and rewarding the completion of the fast will be. It is essential that I stay hydrated! Dehydration AND starvation have tremendous harmful effects on your body. With limited nutrition and energy sources it will be easy to fall into a downward spiral of tissue and cell damage. Cell and tissue damage caused by dehydration takes a lot of energy to repair. However it’s not difficult for me though as I keep my stomach full of water at all times to help subside the hunger pangs (full stomach).

After the 2.5 day mark my body begins to supply me with energy from self-metabolization and it is pretty much smooth sailing.

Awesome leisure reading regarding subject:
Religion and Dietary Practices, The Role of Fasting