And every year spring comes around again, making it the perfect time to experience fasting. Springtime equals tidying time. It is therefore a good time to get rid of old burdens and refresh your energy. Fasting is not only a way to cleanse and purify the body, but also an effective method of bringing the body back into a state of regulation in the case of chronic illnesses.
Simply withdraw for a while, come to rest, come into peace, into your current self-awareness, into breathing, into reflection, with the result of feeling yourself again or at all. Be it in the head, in the bones, in the muscles, in the stomach, in the heart…
With a fasting cure, you can “live through” and experience these states more easily and intensively. We humans are designed in such a way that we can actually nourish ourselves from the inside out over a longer period of time. Even with a lasting healing effect. Apparently the body can cope better with deprivation than with gluttony.
The benefits of fasting for body and mind
Fasting offers a variety of potential benefits from a medical and holistic perspective based on research, including the work of Dr. Longo:
1. fasting can be seen as a kind of “reset” for the immune system, as it puts the body into a state of regeneration and repair. During fasting, old and damaged cells are broken down, known as autophagy, and new cells are generated through processes such as stem cell activation and proliferation. This process can help to renew and strengthen the immune system by eliminating old or defective immune cells and replacing them with fresh, functioning cells.
3. anti-inflammatory effect: Fasting can reduce inflammation in the body, which in turn can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes and cancer.
4. improved insulin sensitivity: Fasting can improve insulin sensitivity, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
5. cellular regeneration and repair: autophagy, the process already described in which cells break down and recycle damaged or no longer needed components, is promoted by fasting. This can help to rejuvenate cells and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.
6 Mental clarity and cognitive function: Some people report increased mental clarity, improved concentration and increased cognitive performance during fasting.
7. weight management: Intermittent fasting can effectively help with weight loss by improving metabolism, promoting fat burning and reducing hunger.
8. improved mood and emotional well-being: Fasting can cause hormonal changes in the body, which can have a positive effect on mood and reduce stress.
9 Fasting leads to better therapeutic success: Fasting can lead to better therapeutic success, as the slightly induced hypoglycaemia “opens” the cells and makes them more accessible for therapies such as vitamin C infusions. This is particularly true for cells with a high sugar metabolism (including cancer cells) (2).
Everyone fasts differently, we fast consciously
Even in the world of fasting there are a variety of approaches and methods, but we at the Paracelsus Clinic Lustmühle regard fasting as a conscious practice. For us, it’s not just about losing weight or detoxifying the body, but rather about achieving comprehensive healing and regeneration at all levels. Our holistic approach includes a variety of programs that aim to nourish not only the body, but also the mind and soul. From traditional juice fasts to more sophisticated colon cleansing programs, we offer a variety of options for our patients. One of our most prominent programs is the 6-Day Biofilm & Parasite Fasting Program, specifically designed to cleanse the body of harmful debris and promote health from the inside out. In addition, we also offer our proven liver detox program, which aims to support and improve the function of this vital organ.
Paracelsus Mind-Body Medicine: Transformation through fasting
Holistic fasting, in peace and time, is actually real fasting in contrast to fasting that is done on the side as a “quick” fasting cure in everyday life between work, family and leisure/stress for the body. It is therefore worth taking time out and reducing external stimuli during fasting. This also includes the “digital detox”.
Holistic fasting means involving body, mind and soul. During fasting in particular, the body undergoes a short-term transformation that the mind and soul must accompany. Be it in mindfulness, meditation or consciously experiencing and living your time in doing and being. These options can help you to deal with the hunger pangs that accompany fasting. The focus is on the body and the feeling that is triggered by abstaining from food.
Of course, fasting is also possible without spirituality. But why not use the opportunity to take advantage of the withdrawal from food when the mental change and perception take place.
Our professional support during the fasting process
It is important to note that fasting is not suitable for everyone and that individual needs and health conditions must be taken into account. It is recommended to consult a biological-medical doctor before starting a fasting program, especially for people with existing health problems.
Through the expertise of our doctors, nutritionists and therapists, we offer comprehensive care that aims to take into account the individual needs and health goals of our participants.
We understand that everyone is unique and has different health concerns. That’s why we offer a variety of complementary therapies, including mind-body medicine and psycho-kinesiology, to meet the needs of each individual.
For people with chronic illnesses in particular, it is important to us that their symptoms do not get worse before they get better. For this reason, we attach great importance to a targeted build-up during fasting. We carefully monitor the process and adjust it as needed to ensure our participants receive the best possible support and care as they navigate their path to health and wellness.
Therapeutic fasting with us at a glance: Procedure, contents, recipes
From the many types of fasting available, such as Buchinger fasting, juice fasting, water/tea fasting, mucus fasting, FX Mayr fasting, alkaline fasting, Ayurvedic fasting, we at the Paracelsus Clinic have developed our Paracelsus Relief Fasting Program over many years of experience.
Our goal is:
- Reduce inflammation
- Promote an alkaline body environment
- Relieve the immune system and the intestines
- Regeneration and structure of cells and organs
- 2 – 3 relief days
- 5 – 10 fasting days
- 3 – 5 build-up days
Preparation for therapeutic fasting
Mental preparation
Fasting is about giving up, letting go and relaxing. However, if you are stressed, you are exactly the opposite, namely tense. The result is that you are bad at letting go. Both physically and mentally.
Because for healing and a good life, it is essential that we move away from the rule of the mind back to the spiritual. We have actually, unrecognized from generation to generation, forgotten how to feel our spirit, let alone hear it or even understand it. Hildegard von Bingen already said: “The soul is the mistress, the flesh is the handmaiden.”
She also knew that fasting could heal from the 35 vices known to her – as she called the clinical pictures on all levels – 29.
Everyone develops at their own pace and that’s a good thing. It is important to recognize this and to keep at it.
Practical preparation
Make sure in advance that you don’t have to go to the store and have everything you need at home:
- Sufficient water
- Various herbal teas (kidney tea, liver and gall bladder tea)
- Fruit, vegetables if necessary
- Alkaline salt for a full bath or foot bath
- Brush for dry brushing
- Hot water bottle
- If necessary, utensils for colonic irrigation
- Share plum if applicable
If you are someone who likes to eat in between meals, make sure you do this at least once a week. a week in advance and reduce your meals to a maximum of three a day. Have an affirmation ready for this too and also keep your goal in sight. Perhaps you continue with intermittent fasting and only have lunch and a light dinner.
Especially in the first three days, the body adapts and lives from its reserves. Fat is broken down and “toxins” are also released from the connective tissue. This can lead to unpleasant side effects such as headaches, low blood pressure, skin reactions, lethargy, sleep disorders and bad moods.
It can be very exhausting to deprive the body of food. Moments of craving for cake, cheese, pasta etc. will come all at once and turn your thoughts to “getting weak”. Before you reach for the food here, you should pause for a moment and feel yourself or dance, breathe and, above all, remain steadfast.
It’s actually just habits and cravings.
Pausing and awareness bring about clarity and strength of will. Always remember that cravings and hunger pangs are short-lived and disappear as quickly as they came.
Chamfering
In my opinion, fasting is the most difficult part of fasting. In my first fasting primer I found the following saying: Anyone can fast, but fasting is the ultimate success and challenge of fasting. The build-up phase begins after breaking the fast, during which special care must be taken to avoid falling into an actual “food trap”.
This is why it is so helpful to train our minds, as mentioned above. You may also need someone from outside to motivate you and help you persevere. Here at our clinic, we offer professional nutritional support, mind body therapy, restorative infusions and colon hydrotherapies that could provide health benefits and relief upon consultation. In my opinion, it is particularly exciting to see what can still be flushed out despite fasting.
So tackle spring so that you can experience summer with much more ease.
References:
- Cheng CW et al. Prolonged fasting reduces IGF-1/PKA to promote hematopoietic-stem-cell-based regeneration and reverse immunosuppression. Cell 2 Stem Cell. 2014; Jun 5;14(6):810-23.
- Seyfried, T.N., Shelton, L.M. Cancer as a metabolic disease. 2010; Nutr Metab (Lond) 7, 7.
