Actually, What is Fasting?

Fasting is the conscious, voluntary forgoing of solid food for a clearly limited period of time.
Fasting according to Dr. Otto Buchinger is no "starvation diet", but a low-calorie fluid diet (diaita = ancient Greek for life): Instead of chewing you drink fluids! In brief, the purpose of fasting is physical cleansing and regeneration (as well as prolongation of life, as new studies have shown), realisation and self-discovery. Fasting stimulates the body’s self-healing forces. And: Fasting has nothing to do with starving!

 

Why do People Fast?

• Because of an existing underlying illness
• For reasons of prophylaxis/prevention (health care)
   

Basic Information About Fasting:

• No chewing, just drinking - around 2.5 to 3 litres of fluids per day (mineral water, fasting broths, teas, freshly squeezed juices etc.)
   
• Leave out what is not vital: alcohol, nicotine, sweets
   
• Physical activities and sport alternating with relaxation (but no "lying about"!!).
   
• Promote excretion (the "cleansing") via the intestine, kidneys, skin.
   
• Active sweating due to sporting activities is very effective.
   
• Fasting ideally begins with the cleansing of the intestine by means of Epsom salts or other laxatives.
   
• Get away from it all: Take it easy! Rest sufficiently and turn to your inner self!
   
• The gradual build-up of the diet back to solids after fasting conveys the possibilities of a healthy diet (Vollwert diet) in an ideal manner and is an integral part of the treatment. Instructions on how to masticate properly are important.
   
• The duration of fasting is determined by the physician in consultation with the individual patient.
   
• Persons interested in fasting should be mentally prepared to avoid certain unhealthy and harmful substances (e.g. nicotine, too much alcohol too regularly) in future!

"After fasting the consciousness should be broader than the waistband." The reduction of the waistline is more important than the reduction of body weight on the scales.

What is so Important About Fasting?

Apart from the purely organisational process, which you can find in the related literature:

• The medical care offers security, supported by guidance and monitoring.
• Being cared for, receiving attention gives a feeling of security.
• The distance from the domestic/daily problems allows relaxation and space for other thoughts - e.g. new life philosophies. You can talk things out, raise stressful issues and work on solutions.
• The exercise programme trains the body and maintains the muscles.
• Information on a sound, healthy diet (if you continue to adhere to it) result in better health and a reduction of risk factors. In case of certain indications (e.g. lipometabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus etc.), a qualified diet consultation will take place.
• The exercise course is the strongest impulse against the unhealthy and harmful consequences of a mainly sedentary life style.

By consciously abstaining from environmental stimuli, fasting results in a raised awareness of your own needs, sharpened senses (taste, smell etc.) – your emotional world is revived.

It is worth considering to keep a fasting diary because fasting often lets suppressed thoughts resurface that can now be dealt with. The extensive exercise programme contributes to the release of tension – physical strain is tiring and at the same time improves the quality of sleep.The concurrent health education by means of physicians’ lectures, hands-on cooking etc. informs about the possibilities to prevent illnesses and gives directions on improving the eating habits by explaining the interrelations.

So, What Should a Fasting Treatment Effect?

First, existing disorders are to be improved or cured. The most important purpose however, is to strengthen the human being’s personal responsibility for their health.

The attitude of "wanting too much" results in eating too much and unhealthily and therefore in overweight, high blood pressure, vascular damage that can have serious consequences etc. If no decisive intervention takes place in these circumstances, irreversible and dramatic consequences for the health are threatening!

How Does One Feel After Fasting?

• Improvement of any health problems
• Increase in physical agility and mental ability
• You’ll feel lighter and a greater joy of movement (this was often described by guests)
• Improvement of vitality, quality of life and greater sensory perception
• You’ll be strengthened for future demands

What Will Your GP Notice After Fasting?

When conducting blood tests and clinical checkups, for example: improved or normalised lipid values / liver values / blood sugar values, a normalisation of previously high blood pressure, alleviation or improvement of rheumatic complaints, improved physical and mental resilience. The external pressures have been relieved.

Eating Rules:

1. Don’t eat too fast!
2. Don’t eat too much!
3. Don’t eat too often!
4. Don’t eat if you are stressed or exhausted!
5. Stop eating when the food tastes best!
6. Chew your food thoroughly (15 times), don’t wash the mouthfuls down with fluids (and only half-chewed).

"Everybody can work magic,
everybody can obtain their goals,
if they are able to think,
if they are able to wait,
if they are able to fast."

-- Hermann Hesse