
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/is-fasting-dangerous.html
Is Fasting Dangerous?

Q: Is fasting dangerous? I’ve heard mixed messages.
A: While fasting has been a big fad over the last several years, it’s actually a practice that has been prescribed for centuries as a way to purify the body and even reach spiritual enlightenment.
Whether a particular fast is dangerous or not would depend on what type of fast you were planning and whether you had any underlying health problems that might react to a fast in a negative way.
I think the important question is why do you want to do the fast? Is it to lose weight? There are definitely healthier ways to do this. Is it detox? There’s really no proof that any fast “detoxes” the body, so in my opinion the risk outweighs the benefits in this case, too
Anyone considering a fast should discuss the details of the particular program with their health care provider before starting.
Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.
Got a health question for Dr. Brent? E-mail him at drbrent@care2.com.



Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
9 comments
add your comment »Do not think there are any reasons to fast other than for spiritual reasons or health reasons; if you know what you are doing to be safe while fasting. We all, especially in the US, need to eat healthier. We just choose to go with what is "convenient" to eat & we WILL pay for it somewhere down the line, consequences will come.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Good suggestions, Emily! Right on target, actually, although there is never a circumstance where the body can net benefit from red meat. Your body uses 44x as much phosphorous as it does calcium when trying to digest red meat. Nature abhors a vacuum, so it will suck calcium from your bones.
Also, note that dogs and cats have short digestive systems, with a 2-hour transit, whereas humans have an 18-hour to 55-hour transit time. It only takes 2 hours for meat to start rotting.
Nevertheless, your post is truer and brighter than most anything we see on this site from so-called experts who demonstrate genuine lack of education. Thank you for a reminder that great info can come in short paragraphs.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Judy,
What is Master Cleanse, a product I assume?
Maria
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Fasting is not something everyone can do... mainly because we're so used to eating whenever we want. However, I have fasted on a number of occasions with great success. I know when I need to fast as I feel just plain loaded down and tired. It's time to cleanse. I use the Master Cleanser and I can't tell you how easy this one is (for me) and delicious. I can feel my body coming back to the real me. I have more energy and feel wonderful. I can't speak for other types of fasts, as this one has all I need to cleanse and feel ultra healthy again. When the body is not trying to digest food, it can then attack the 'bad cells' in our bodies and other unhealthy things. The body gets a rest and can perform it's magic of detoxifying during a fast. Although I do lose weight, that's not my purpose. My purpose is to feel that great feeling of being 'right' in my body. I've never had a problem with fasting doing the Master Cleanse and would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to try a delicious, safe way to cleanse and detoxify. Yummy Good.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I have read, that not eating regularly in a day, your body will take from your body what it needs to function.Such as calcium from your bones, proteins from muscles, and more.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
it's good for diabet patients
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
good
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I think that fasting for religious reasons is fine. But there is no dietary reason beyond something like pancreas failure when the doctor has you fast for 4 days in the hospital to clean it out. Eat more fruits and veggies (frozen or fresh, in season, local whenever possible), eat whole grains, eat clean, grass fed, free range, hormone/antibiotic free meats and dairy products, drink more water, exercise, and you'll find you don't need to do faddy dietary cleanses or fasting.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: