Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
For thousands of years, spiritual seekers have turned to the
practice of fasting as a ritual of purification and enlightenment.
Ancient healing traditions from around the world understood fasting as
a profound method of holistic rejuvenation on physical, mental, and
spiritual levels. Modern research is now confirming what our ancestors knew.
(00:34):
Fasting recalibrates the body in ways that unleash incredible healing potential.
Let us explore the science and philosophy behind this ancient
healing art. Fasting provides deep rest for our digestive organs
while freeing up vast amounts of energy normally required for digestion.
(01:00):
Energy becomes available to trigger self healing and tissue regeneration
throughout the body. As the digestive system rests, the liver
performs a cleanse, Toxins and old cells get purged from tissues.
Stem cell production ramps up as the body enters into
a heightened state of repair. These effects emerge because fasting
(01:22):
shifts the body into a fat burning state known as ketosis.
Our ancestors evolve to thrive in nutritional cycles of feast
and famine. Periodic fasting mimics this ancestral cycle of fasting
and feeding. It activates beneficial genes and growth factors in
(01:42):
our DNA that gets suppressed under normal modern eating patterns
of constant food intake. Intermittent fasting serves as an ancient
trick to reboot and regenerate the body from within. During fasting,
several key changes happen. The hormone insulin drops significantly. This
(02:06):
allows fat cells to mobilize stored fatty acids for energy.
Blood levels of growth hormone increase by as much as
five times. This facilitates fat burning and muscle maintenance. The
body undergoes ketogenesis, shifting from burning glucose to burning fats
and fatty acids in the form of ketone bodies. Ketones
(02:30):
provide up to seventy percent of the brain's energy needs.
During fasting, cellular repair processes increase, including autophagy, where cells
digest and remove the waste material and proteins needing repair.
This cleansing process promotes longevity and health. Gene expression favorably changes.
(02:52):
Studies show fasting activates genes responsible for increased resistance to
stress and disease. Fasting also reduces over expression of genes
linked to aging and disease. Fasting supports healthy gut microbes
with no incoming food for bacteria to ferment. Gut flora
(03:14):
rebalances toward a more optimal community for health by giving
digestion arrest, Fasting permits our self healing and restorative capacities
to do their magic, bringing us back into balance the
practice of fasting has been prescribed in spiritual texts and
(03:36):
traditions worldwide since ancient times. Greek philosophers like Plato, Socrates, Aristotle,
and Hippocrates all recommended fasting for health and higher states
of awareness. The famous ancient Egyptian Ebba's Papyrus highlights fasting
as a method of healing and rejuvenation. Iovadic medicine describes
(03:59):
fasting as kindling the digestive fire and burning away impurities.
Chinese Taoists used fasting to balance the organs and prolonged life.
Indigenous cultures also appreciated fasting intuitively. Native Americans would fast
before hunts, vision quests, and major life events. Inuit traditions
(04:23):
included fasting during times of shortage. African tribal rituals involved
fasting for initiation, rites and ceremonies. Australian aborigines would fast
for days while traveling in the outback nature. It seems
embedded fasting wisdom into the rituals of native peoples worldwide.
(04:45):
The Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, jan and Orthodox religions later
incorporated forms of fasting as spiritual purification, but our modern
lifestyles may have abandoned this ancient wellness wisdom until now. Today,
scientific research is confirming what our ancestors already knew. Fasting
(05:09):
cleanses and renews us on multiple levels of body, mind,
and soul. Fasting allows detoxification on a deep cellular level
by providing depleted digestive organs a chance to rest. Toxins
get released from adipose tissues as fat reserves get burned
(05:33):
for fuel in the absence of new food entering the body.
As the gut microflora rebalances, the production of beneficial scifhase increases,
reducing inflammation while supporting the immune system with energy freed
from digesting meals, the liver steps up its natural detoxification processes.
(05:58):
The kidneys filter out more waste products from the blood,
lowering burdens on these organs. Cellular waste products in tissues
are better cleared thanks to autophagy. Even the skin may
appear more glowing and radiant as inner purification occurs. Fasting
gives your body a break to purge accumulated wastes, old cells, damage, proteins, pathogens,
(06:22):
and toxins that can make you age prematurely when allowed
to fester. Think of fasting as pressing the reset button
for your body's natural systems of waste removal and renewal. Ketosis,
where fat serves as the body's primary fuel source, lies
(06:44):
at the heart of fasting's cleansing and healing effects. But
ketosis is much more than just fat loss. It's a
unique cleansing metabolism with profound health benefits. Unlike glucose, ketones
produce far less the active oxygen species ROS and oxidative stress.
(07:04):
Ketosis protects against brain aging and neurological disease by enhancing
mitochondrial function. Ketones are a more efficient fuel than sugar,
yielding more atp energy per unit. A ketogenic metabolism suppresses
inflammation and shifts stem cells from adipogenesis to neurogenesis, regenerating
(07:26):
the brain. Cancer cells cannot metabolize ketones due to mitochondrial defects,
effectively starving tumors. Ketosis cleanses on multiple levels, from clearing
waste products to eliminating cancer risk to stoking stem cell repair.
No wonder our ancestors evolved to uptake this superfuel during
(07:48):
periods of fasting. There are several evidence based intermittent fasting
protocols shown to act activate cleansing ketosis. Sixteen to eight
method fast for sixteen hours per day, eating only during
an eight hour window. This aligns with the natural circadian rhythm,
(08:13):
allowing digestion to rest overnight. Twenty four hour fasts, fast
from dinner to dinner one to two times per week
extends the overnight fast more deeply. Alternate day fasting fast
every other day for twenty four to thirty six hours
allows the body to enter deep ketosis. Water only fasts
(08:36):
for two to twenty one days or longer requires more preparation,
but provides deep cleansing. Periodic routine fasts, such as fasting
one week per month or one week per season, allows
the body to cleanse regularly. The key is to find
an intermittent fasting routine that is sustainable long term, not
(08:57):
just a quick fixed diet our ancest as fasted intuitively.
We can reclaim this ancestral cycling between fasting and feeding
by adopting intermittent fasting as a periodic cleansing. Ritual preparation
(09:17):
is key to having a successful fasting experience. Here are
some tips. Gradually taper down meals and food intake in
the days before fasting. This eases the transition. Stay well
hydrated with purified water, herbal tea, and mineral broths. Proper
hydration supports detoxification. Get adequate rest and avoid strenuous exercise
(09:42):
during a fast. Conserve your energy for healing, take time
off work, and minimize stress if possible. Fasting requires deep
breast supplement if needed with electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals. Support
what your nutritional reserves. Break a prolonged fast gradually with
(10:05):
gentle foods. Avoid heavy foods or over eating. Keep a
positive mental attitude through self affirmations and spiritual practices. Intention matters.
Proper preparation and support during a fast can make all
the difference in having a rejuvenating experience when fasting. Understanding
(10:31):
the stages and possible experiences during a fast allows you
to be prepared. Twelve to twenty four hours, the switch
to burning fat and glycogen stores begins. Mild hunger and
food cravings are common. Two to three days the body
enters full ketosis. Hunger and cravings usually decrease, possible irritability
(10:54):
and headaches as electrolytes adjust. Three to five days. Heavy
c phittosis suppresses appetite. Mental clarity improves as toxins clear. Purification.
Symptoms may arise, like skin breakouts or mucoid plaque elimination.
Temporary fatigue or light headedness can occur if detoxing too rapidly.
(11:18):
One to three weeks. Deeper cleansing and renewal profound healing,
but requires more support. Dizziness, arrhythmias, and profound weakness indicates
the fast should be broken. Understanding the stages provides guidance
on what to expect physically and spiritually during a fast.
(11:39):
Supporting the process with rest, water, and mindfulness leads to revitalization.
Those new to fasting should start with shorter fasts and
work up gradually. It's equally important to break a fast properly.
(11:59):
Here are some tips. Do not overeat when breaking a fast,
even if ravenously hungry. Gradually reintroduce portions. Sip water or
non sugar tea first, then start with gentle foods like fruits, vegetables, yogurt.
Slowly progress from lighter to heavier foods. Avoid heavy animal proteins,
(12:22):
processed foods, or sugar at first. Chew food extremely well
and eat slowly. The shrunken stomach needs time. Fasting has
long been used for spiritual growth due to shifts in
awareness that occur as the body detoxifies. Clarity of mind
(12:44):
improves as toxic overloads reduce. With energy less focused on digestion,
consciousness can turn within, bringing heightened intuition. As cravings fade,
attachments loosen their grip. Freed from in senses become more
attuned to subtle energies, one achieves mastery over the body
(13:06):
instead of vice versa. Fasting develops will power and the
sense of spirit over flesh. Fasting often mirrors an internal
process of shedding old layers to reveal one's deeper self.
The pure state that emerges is believed to be more
receptive to spiritual truths. For this reason, many religions prescribe
(13:30):
fasting before rituals, rites or holy days. The hunger reminds
devotees of their faith while purifying mind and body to
receive divine energy. Pilgrimages, vision quests, and meditative retreats often
incorporated fasting for this reason. Silence, solitude, and detachment allow
(13:51):
inner realms to open up. Toxins accumulate in our bodies
from food, water, air, medications, alcohol, and environmental exposures. Our
detoxification systems can become overburdened. Fasting gives these systems a
(14:12):
break so they can catch up on the backlog. The liver, kidneys, skin, lungs,
and colon all increase elimination of wastes that may have
built up in tissues for years. As the body uses
stored nutrients, chemicals like pesticides or medications that were lodged
in fat cells get liberated with gut rest inflammation subsides,
(14:37):
and microbial balance improves. Signs you may be detoxifying include headaches, fatigue,
muscle aches, skin eruptions, runny nose, coughing, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting,
bad breath, and discolored tongue coating. These symptoms usually pass
in a few days. Staying hydrated, resting in opening elimination
(15:01):
channels can help. Consult a doctor if they concern you.
Fasting is safe for most people, but side effects can
include hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar causes shakiness, weakness, confusion. Consuming
herbal tea, mineral supplements, or a small snack can help.
(15:24):
Electrolyte imbalance, headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps, supplement with mineral broth electrolytes, dehydration,
dry mouth, dizziness, Drink more pure water, orthostatic hypotension, dizziness
upon standing. Rise slowly and stabilize yourself. Gallstone pain Stones
(15:46):
can get flushed out and cause biliary colic. Seek medical
care if severe. Most side effects are avoidable with proper
fasting guidance and preparation. Those new to fasting should see
dart slowly and only progress with care. While most people
(16:09):
can safely fast, there are some exceptions. Malnourished or underweight people,
children under twelve, pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with gout
or high uric acid, individuals with eating disorders, people with
advanced diabetes or blood sugar issues, those on medication. Consult
(16:31):
your doctor. People with liver or kidney disease, low blood pressure,
ulcerative colitis or chrome's disease. People with health conditions should
get medical guidance before fasting. Start cautiously and only if
your body responds well. Fasting should become a lifelong habit,
(16:56):
integrated into your lifestyle to enjoy the full benefits. Here
are tips. Find a fasting routine that works sustainably for
your schedule. Please don't overdo it. Keep fasts occasional, no
more than two to three times per week for daytime fasts.
Plan fasting periods around times of rest and relaxation. Stay
(17:20):
occupied with light activities, reflection or meditation during fasts. Break
fasts gently without overeating or eating junk foods. Hydrate well,
and supplement if needed. Track fasting in a journal. Note
mental and physical changes. Combine fasting with grounding activities like
time in nature, massage, and sauna. By making fasting a
(17:45):
regular ritual, you honor your body's ancient wisdom while benefiting
from this ancestral wellness practice. In conclusion, fast offers a
holistic path to healing and wholeness. Physically, it activates cleansing
(18:06):
mechanisms for cellular renewal and regeneration. Mentally, it brings clarity
and heightened awareness. Emotionally, it releases attachments and compulsions. Spiritually,
it cultivates self realization and unity with the sacred. Fasting
illuminates the way to mastery of body, mind, and soul.
(18:31):
It is a practice handed down through generations because it
works if done correctly. Fasting allows us to reclaim our
vitality and maximize our human potential. Listen to your body's wisdom.
Your innate capacity to heal will guide you if you
create space through fasting. May your path of intermittent fasting
(18:54):
be one of rejuvenation and renewal.