Fasting As A Form Of Manipulative And Body-Based Practice
Fasting is voluntarily abstaining from eating food for a certain period of time. It can also involve abstaining from eating only a particular food.
Fasting has been practiced by human beings for a long time. This has mainly been in religious fields. In such religious fasts, certain foods and normal practices are suspended until the fasting period is over. You could call it some special kind of diet.
Manipulative and body-based fasting practice is intended to achieve healing from disease or in the management of a health condition. Fasting can be for several hours daily or for some extended period, with breaks at particular times at which the fast can be briefly broken and thereafter the fasting continued with.
Fasting is employed medically to prepare patients for surgery operations. Surgery requires very little interference and the presence of food can cause complication in the course of surgery. Medical fasting in preparation for surgery takes several hours before the operation.
Fasting has also been used by very elderly persons as a form of suicide. They voluntarily refuse to eat anything, having known that they cannot survive from the illness they are suffering from. Such elderly patients are mostly with terminal illnesses.
Manipulative and body-based fasting practice has several health benefits. These include:
- Control of blood sugar levels. From studies undertaken in mice, fasting every other day results in blood sugar being controlled. This is beneficial to diabetic patients.
- Weight loss. Controlled and monitored fasting has been proved to be effective in achieving weight loss and in the management of obesity.
- Prolonged lifespan. It has been proven that periodic caloric fasting improves one's life, leading to prolonged lifespan.
- Fasting for body cleansing. A lot of chemical and other dangerous substances are injected into the body through foods and drinks. By fasting, the body gets the opportunity to get rid of such chemicals and substances. If left to accumulate in the body, such chemicals become toxic and cause other health problems.
Manipulative and body-based fasting practice is important to the body. However, it needs to be monitored carefully so as to eliminate chances of developing health problems. Uncontrolled fasting can have negative effects, which include:
- Brain damage. The body requires certain amounts of glucose on a daily basis for it to function properly and support other organs of the body. Unplanned fasting can lead to very low levels of glucose, and lead to brain damage. This can occur with long fasting periods without any break.
- Health conditions. Some diseases and health conditions cannot allow for fasting. Otherwise, the disease or health condition may worsen. It is always advisable for one to seek a physicians advise before embarking on fasting.
An important fact that a person who wants to embark on fasting as a form of manipulative and body-based practice should consider is what his/her body will be missing. He/she can find alternative sources so as not to interfere with the body's natural functions.
Manipulative and body-based fasting practice is effective and safe. However, for those with health problems, a doctor's advice should be sought first.
