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Fasting
Dr. Otto
Buchinger, an internationally famous authority on
fasting, cured himself of severe rheumatic fever by
fasting for 19 days , and liver disorder after fasting
for 28 days - the man who had been chronically and
severely sick was healed for good. He not only regained
his health but also his full capacity to work. ( He
remained healthy until his death at a ripe age of 89
years.)
We all know that when animals or even birds fall ill,
their first and foremost step is giving up eating until
they show signs of recovery. This gives a clear
impression that fasting itself is healing. It is at the
same time very strange that human beings do not have even
as much control over the palate or mind as the animals
have. Fasting, undoubtedly, is one of the most important
and incidentally, the cheapest of all natural remedies.
It is the quickest, simplest and most efficient method of
relieving the body of overloaded food and preventing it
from poisoning the system. It is surprising to know that
only a small quantity of food is actually required to
keep the human system in good condition. The majority of
the people are eating food in excess even though they
believe they are eating moderately. It is an established
fact that people do not die of fasting, whereas people
who eat liberally may die earlier due to one disease or
the other, caused by eating the so-called delicious food
which is junk, and over-indulgence.
There are millions of bacteria present in the food we
eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe which
maintain themselves in a kind of equilibrium. When
conditions are favorable to them, they multiply
enormously, which means there must be a fertile soil for
bacteria to gain sufficient foothhold and dominate. It is
Nature’s rule that nearly all diseases are caused
directly or indirectly by auto-intoxication or
self-poisoning. Nature cure treatment aims at killing
these bacteria and curing the disease through cleansing,
overhauling, or detoxifying the system through fasting,
drinking lemon water and enema. Fasting should not be
confused with starvation. Fasting is constructive ;
whereas starvation is destructive. Through fasting, all
important organs like the stomach, intestines, liver and
pancreas, besides kidneys and lungs, are given rest. In
short, fasting is a real cleansing device - an
overhauling and purifying process. Periodical fasting is
very essential to keep the body healthy, but fasting for
longer periods should be undertaken only under the
guidance of an expert / Naturopath.
It is worth noting that the method of breaking the fast
is more important than the fast itself, as wrong methods
could lead to damage of the digestive system. We have to
resume normal diet slowly and gradually starting with
fruit juice and raw food for a few days. Similarly, for a
couple of days, go on a fruit and raw vegetable diet,
before resorting to fasting on water. Clear the bowels
daily enema.The Effects of Fasting
Fasting is one of
the most effective and natural treatments covering a wide
range of disorders. It works as preventive and healing /
curing measures, enables quick and safe weight loss,
reduces high blood pressure, lessens the fat content of
the blood (cholesterol), adjusts the sugar level of the
blood and improves the condition of stomach and
intestinal passage.
The resulting loss of weight alleviates pain in the spine
and joints of the body, particularly of overweight people
having orthopaedic disorders.
Natural
Nutrition
In this era of
scientific inventions, much progress has been made in
various areas for the benefit of mankind. Unfortunately ,
much ‘progress’ has also been made towards
destruction and harm to the people. The major harmful
effects are from newly developed food items of numerous
varieties which are available right from the street to an
expensive restaurant. Sellers do not care for the food
value and its effects on health. Their main motto is that
it must be very tasty and enjoyable, so that it fetches
more money for their pocket. Simple food, as was
available in olden times is no more, except perhaps, in
some poor families.
Food plays one of the most important roles in maintaining
good health. "The right kind of food is the most
important single factor in the promotion of health and
the wrong kind of food is the most important single
factor in the promotion of disease ", so said Sir
Robert Mac Carrison, the greatest of food scientists. If
one has WILL POWER, one should remain on a
mono-diet (one food item like papaya, banana, apple,
skimmed milk, butter milk etc.) for cleansing purposes as
long as one can manage, but not less than 7 days as a
cleansing diet cures the disease only upto a degree,
depending on its intensity. Absolutely nothing else is to
be taken throughout the day, except mono-diet, as and
when one feels hungry.The best is papaya - 4 or 5 times a
day. It has a great curative effect. Lot of water has to
be taken too.
Unfortunately, dietetics finds no place in the curriculum
of medical colleges and no knowledge of the subject is,
therefore, acquired by young medicos while pursuing their
degrees. It seems that the medical profession of the
future will be as ill-informed about these vitally
important matters as the present generation of doctors
is.
Countless cases are on record, of seemingly miraculous
cures effected simply by means of dieting, aided by
simple remedial measures such as cold pack, manipulative
treatment, sunlight etc. Moreover, it is noteworthy that
many of the people thus restored to health had been
labelled previously as incurable by orthodox medical men.
Most people blissfully imagine that they can eat whatever
they feel like, and as long as no direct bad after
-effects are felt, the matter deserves no attention. But
in reality, this is only a wrong notion and it beckons
the beginning of a trouble. Regularity, punctuality ( at
a particular time), thorough chewing, feeling of hunger
and avoiding hurry, worry, tension and emotion while
taking meal are very essential if the body is to derive
the maximum benefit from its food intake. Further, water
is not to be taken while eating food and 60 minutes
thereafter, to aid good digestion.
Although proper diet is the basis for curing all
diseases, yet diet alone is not everything. Other health
building measures such as proper exercise, sleep, deep
breathing, care of the teeth and skin etc.are to be
employed.
A major problem of diet among the rich is that an average
adult normally eats more than what is necessary for
one’s health. In fact, the excess intake of food
causes more harm than good. Eating less is, therefore,
not only the most effective device through which one can
reduce weight but also helps greatly to give one a
feeling of well-being. It is not the quantity and
richness of the food that one eats, which really matters,
but how far it is digested and assimilated to offer the
required stamina and benefit is all the more important
and of key consideration in Naturopathy.
Skimmed milk is an excellent food. It has all the
valuable nutrients of whole milk except the fat. A cup of
whole milk contains about 130 calories as against a cup
of skimmed milk which has only about 80 calories ; but
the nutritive value of both is almost the same. It is
also rich in Vitamins A and D.Naturally sweet yoghurt
(curds) is better and more nutritious than ghee or milk ,
as it is pre-digested milk. Similarly, butter milk is
highly beneficial. One can take yoghurt liberally if it
suits one’s system. Procedure for preparing skimmed
milk is : Add some water and boil milk for about 30
minutes, keep it in fridge when not too hot. After about
two hours, remove the cream (Malai). Repeat the same
process,if desired.
One should eat a diet rich in roughage and fibre because
its bulk would tend to make one eat less fat and
carbohydrates compared to the usual highly refined and
processed diet which is full of calories and fats.
Roughage / fibre is essential for satisfactory evacuation
and good bowel movement. This roughage / fibre can be
obtained from food items such as wholewheat flour, bran,
unpolished rice, sprouts, fruits and vegetables. Half of
what is eaten should be in raw form.
Proteins,
Carbohydrates, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals, Enzymes etc.
Protein is an integral
part of our dietary system and is essential for the
growth and development of the body. It builds muscles,
hair, skin, and is a component of enzymes, hormones,
haemoglobin, myoglobin etc. Excess protein consumption
has dangerous consequences. The toxic byproduct from
protein conversion and metabolism enters the bloodstream
in the form of uric acid, urea and other amonia-like
compounds. These toxins are responsible for gout,
arthritis, kidney damage,gastritis, hyperacidity,
constipation, heart disease and other ailments. High
protein intake forces extra work on the body particularly
on the liver / kidneys.
Carbohydrates in their natural forms such as fresh and
dried fruits, vegetables, sprouts etc. should always be
used in preference to concentrated protein food. Dr.
Helen C. Kiefer of Northwestern University, U.S.A. , has
this to say about the relative importance of
carbohydrates and proteins in a well balanced diet :
"Proteins, unlike carbohydrates or fats, contain the
element nitrogen. When we strip this nitrogen from the
amino acid components of proteins in order to convert
them to carbohydrates for energy, we run the risk of
building up amonia in our bloodstream. Ammonia is
highly toxic. Carbohydrates constitute the only
source of energy for the nervous system. "
Fat is very commonly known to be and is obviously,
harmful beyond a limit. Ghee, butter, saturated oil,
concentrated and heavy food - all are super rich in fat.
On the other hand, natural food and a well balanced diet
supply us abundant natural carbohydrates - our
body’s number one nutrient requirement. In addition,
we receive a fully array of vitamins, minerals, enzymes,
proteins and many yet to be discovered elements from this
fresh and wholesome food package by Nature in its
different products. The richest sources of all nutritious
elements are in the living food , i.e. raw vegetables,
fresh fruits, sprouts, unrefined cereals, some nuts and
seeds - everything is adequately supplied by living food.
Consume 50 to 100 grams of leafy vegetables comprising of
fenugreek leaves, spinach, raddish leaves, mustard
leaves, coriander, mint etc. daily as they constitute an
important source of proteins, minerals, vitamins, besides
the dietary fibre which maintain bowel movement. Vitamins
and enzymes are generally destroyed by cooking. See Table
III - " VITAMINS IN YOUR FOOD ".
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