How to Juice Fast for a Total Cleanse
Begin Your Detox Program with Nourishing, Natural Cleansing
Aug 9, 2009
The body needs two important things on a periodic basis in order to maintain high function and to prevent the onset of disease states.
- Internal cleansing
- Periods of rest
The body’s organs of elimination can become exhausted and overwhelmed. Then other organs, key to hormone production and regulation, become overtaxed. When this happens, toxins, fat, mucin (myxedema), and excess fluid can begin to accumulate in the body’s tissues.
This further stresses the body’s resources; making it harder and harder for the organs to do their jobs. As the body’s functions become compromised, the door opens to the development of chronic disease, general degeneration, and failure of the organs and the immune system.
Ironically, it is often when people feel the greatest need for rest and relaxation that the greatest abuse is heaped upon those very organs that work so hard to maintain, heal, and support the body. Rich meals, adult beverages and bad snacks—they feel deserved, but the human body deserves far better.
Juice Fasting Gives the Body’s Organs the Cleansing and Rest They Need
Digestion and elimination are hard work. During a juice fast the body is given a chance to rest from these activities, yet still receives abundant nutrition and fluids. The excellent nutrition made available by the fresh juice is easily assimilated, so the body can begin using available resources for tissue maintenance, cleansing, and flushing toxins, instead.
Taking fresh juices also helps to regulate the speed of the elimination of toxins, which may have built up in the liver. This makes juice fasting safer and more comfortable than, say, a water fast, in which many toxins may be released into the blood all at once. Vitamins C and E, pro-vitamin A, selenium, living enzymes and various other phytonutrients are contained abundantly in fresh juices, and they act as scavengers to bind harmful toxins and escort them out of the body.
A juice fast, accomplished in as little as 1 - 3 days, benefits all the organs of elimination and cleans the body right down to the cellular level. Even stagnant substances between cells are removed. Lipofuscin (a pigmented marker for free-radical-damaged protein and fat) that builds up in the tissues causing age and liver spots, also is reduced during a juice fast.
How Often is a Cleansing Fast Recommened?
A short fast of 1 – 3 days, repeated 1 – 4 times per year would be a reasonable way to approach juice fasting. Alternatively, one could complete one juice fast, and then move on to focus upon including specific herbs and foods that promote health in the various organs of elimination. In this way, one continues to build upon the benefits initiated during the cleansing period, one bodily system at a time.
Can Everyone Safely Fast on Fresh Juices?
- Everyone can benefit by the addition of freshly made juices to his diet. But, it is generally not recommended for those who are under 18 years of age to fast on juices—unless approved and supervised by a physician.
- Likewise, pregnancy is never a time for fasting, but the addition of fresh fruit and vegetable juices will be good for both Mom and Baby.
- Diabetics should always seek a doctor’s approval and supervision before attempting a juice fast, or any major dietary change.
- Those who are prone to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) should opt for vegetable juices over sweet fruit juices. When using sweet juices, like carrot and apple, the hypoglycemic can dilute the juice with an equal amount of water. Hypoglycemics may also benefit by the addition of protein powder to the juices they drink. (Calbom, 1999)
When is the Best Time to Conduct a Juice Fast?
Several occasions are ideal opportunities for juice fasting:
- At the changing of the seasons, e.g., Spring and Fall
- Before a planned pregnancy, in anticipation of a healthy mom and baby
- In conjunction with religious observances, such as, Lent, Advent or in preparation for the Sabbath and other holy days
- As a cleanse that welcomes a new stage in life—career changes, relocations, etc.
- Any quiet weekend when one can devote time to resting his mind and body
Which Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs are Most Beneficial?
- Excellent herbal aids for cleansing and fortifying the liver and kidneys include: Milk thistle, dandelion root and nettles. These are available as supplements and as teas in health food stores.
- Juices that are especially cleansing include: wheatgrass, beet, cabbage, seed and bean sprouts, barley grass, celery, all citrus, bell pepper, parsley and apple.
- Juices that aid in elimination of excess fluid are: watermelon and cantaloupe with the seeds (and rind, if organic), asparagus, parsley, lemon and cucumber.
Readers new to juicing may like to read about how to select a juicer. And, for great ideas on tasty juicing combinations, the reader may also enjoy, Juice Fasting – Two Filling, Raw Vegan Recipes and 3 Juice Recipes to Make While Juice Fasting.
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