In article
>,
Arindam Banerjee > posted:
>
> On Jul 12, 2:23=A0pm, "Ganesh J. Acharya" >
> wrote:
>
> > I have agreed to live a MORAL life for my own self, but I am stuck
> > at this particular point.
> >
> > My dietitians have advised me not to proceed further with the fruit
> > diet... for whole day... As per them... Following the same the
> > complete day.... I will be unable to sustain a life for myself. But
> > at the same time when I cited my dietitians there are people who do
> > follow such a diet pattern and quizzed how they do it. They honestly
> > cited their inability due to inadequet research data...
> >
> > So, how do I proceed further... for now I have realized I have been
> > a parasite all my life... I do not wish continuing the same any
> > further... But, harming myself at the same time will be unwise as well.
>
> very unwise! I also tried to avoid eating when my wife was not
> around, but my wife's aunt told me to stop. I would be harming my
> internal organs, perhaps without chance of recovery, if I persisted,
> she said. I needed proper guidance from a true guru, if I wanted to
> pursue such a course. So I gave up.
>
> Still, I did manage to go for a few days without much food and that
> did not seem to harm me too much. But then I was much younger.
>
> Truly holy men in India manage to live on very little food, without
> losing out on energy. How they manage to do it, is quite another
> story!
>
> I don't see how not eating too much is any more strange than eating
> too much and becoming 500 pounders.
>
> Cheers,
> Arindam Banerjee

Balance is the key, of course, under the supervision of
one's physician. Here's a post about fasting:

The Benefits of Fasting

Forwarded message from

[ Subject: The Benefits of Fasting
[ From:
[ Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004

The Benefits of Fasting

By Alan Goldhamer, D.C.

http://www.healthpromoting.com/Artic...es/benefit.htm

IN THIS ARTICLE YOU WILL learn about some of the
tremendous benefits that can be derived from a properly
conducted fast. When properly utilized, fasting is a
safe and effective means of maximizing the body’s self-
healing capacities. The results can be truly amazing.
Before going on to describe some of the many advantages
of fasting, let’s define it. Fasting is the complete
abstinence from all substances except pure water, in an
environment of total rest. Let’s also keep in mind that
fasting is only one part of the total health-supporting
program we call Natural Hygiene.

Health results from healthful living. No matter how
successful a fasting experience might be, it needs to be
followed by a consistently healthy lifestyle. The
requirements of health must continue to be provided —
especially in the areas of diet, environment, activity
and psychology.

The examples that follow are just a few of the many
beneficial uses of fasting.

An aid in transition

During the past seven years I’ve worked with thousands of
patients from all over the world who had a wide variety
of disorders and health concerns. A great many of these
patients required a period of supervised fasting to
achieve their health goals. Virtually all of them needed
to make lifestyle changes to achieve improved health.
Fasting made the transition easier!

My observation is that the best motivating factor in
helping people adopt healthful living practices is often
the positive reinforcement that comes with feeling good
and healthy.

Fasting, for as few as five days to as many as 40 days,
will often dramatically shorten the time it takes for an
individual to make the transition from a conventional
diet and lifestyle (with all the associated addictions,
pains, fatigue and disease) to the independent and
energetic state associated with healthful living.

People who undertake a fast in a supervised setting,
tend to achieve health more quickly than those who
attempt changes without a fast. The intensive health
education, plus the emotional support they receive during
their stay, result in increased compliance with dietary
and lifestyle recommendations.

A speedy recovery

When individuals try to make major dietary changes
without the benefit of a fasting experience, they often
become frustrated. The transition to a healthful eating
pattern can make you feel sick. Symptoms such as fatigue,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating,
joint pain, headaches, skin rashes, irritability,
depression, etc. are just a few of the common problems
that can arise as the body attempts to eliminate toxins,
metabolic byproducts, etc., and adjust physiologically to
a health promoting diet.

It is difficult to get people to practice new healthful
living habits for long unless they begin to experience
some benefits quickly. Changes that may take months (or
even years) with careful eating may occur much more
quickly if a properly supervised fast is utilized. This
is an important consideration because once people begin
to realize their health potential, they become a likely
candidate for a lifelong commitment to healthful living.

Overcoming addictions

Addictions to drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, nicotine
and caffeine are examples where fasting can dramatically
reduce the often protracted withdrawal symptoms that
prevent many people from becoming drug-free. Most people
are surprised at how easy it is to quit smoking or
drinking with the help of fasting.

Uterine fibroid tumors

Fasting can often be especially important in situations
where drugs or surgery have been recommended. When
uterine fibroid tumors contribute to pain and excess
bleeding, a hysterectomy — removal of the uterus — is
often recommended. A proper fast will often dramatically
reduce the size and effect of these tumors. I have
treated numerous women who have been able to successfully
avoid hysterectomy using conservative methods. Ovarian
cysts and cervical dysplasia also often respond
favorably.

Back and neck problems

Back and neck pain are remarkably responsive to
conservative care. In my institution I utilize fasting,
rest and exercise, improved posture and body use, and
when appropriate, chiropractic manipulation and physical
therapy. It is interesting to note that often patients
with chronic pain who have received extensive treatment,
including drugs, surgery and manipulation, will
experience dramatic improvement through the use of
fasting.

A case history

I recently treated a young man, a Natural Hygienist since
birth, who had been in a severe automobile accident four
years ago. He had suffered with constant neck pain and
headaches since the accident. His greatest concern was
his tendency to pass out unexpectedly. Apparently the
dysfunction in his neck had interfered with the autonomic
portion of his nervous system altering blood flow to his
brain.

After a period of four weeks of care, which included a
fast, followed by careful re-feeding and, in his case,
spinal manipulative therapy, this individual made an
excellent response. At his three month follow-up he
reported complete absence of neck pain and headaches and
had not felt faint or passed out since his stay at the
Center.

Cardiovascular disease

Most cases of cardiovascular disease are also responsive
to conservative care. In 154 consecutive cases of high
blood pressure [hypertension] that I have fasted, 151
(98%) have been able to achieve and maintain normal blood
pressure without the use of medications. [Complete
details of this study will appear in an upcoming issue of
Health Science.]

Angina and intermittent claudication are examples of
conditions that will often respond rapidly to fasting.
Often patients can achieve freedom from pain and
medications within a few days or weeks. It is not
unusual to see cholesterol levels drop as much as 100
points with diligent effort.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Disturbances of the gastrointestinal system — including
esophagitis, gastritis, colitis, constipation, bloating,
and the symptoms associated with so-called "candidiasis"
— usually respond well to conservative care.

My most recent case of gastrointestinal disturbance was a
young woman with severe colitis [inflammation of the
colon]. She reported severe, constant bleeding through
the rectum. She said that despite continual medical
treatment with cortisone, implants, and a wide range of
other medication, she had bleeding with every bowel
movement for eight years. Her physician had explained
that surgery would have to be performed.

After we had eliminated her medications, a period of
fasting was undertaken. Within a week, the constant pain
was resolved. By the 10th day, the passing of blood and
mucus had stopped. After two weeks of fasting we began
to carefully feed her. Her bowel movements were blood-
free from the first. At her three-month follow-up she
reported feeling great and completely free of any
significant bleeding or problems.

Diabetes

Many chronic degenerative conditions respond well to
fasting and a Natural Hygiene lifestyle. Diabetes is no
exception.

Working with diabetic patients is very satisfying because
the consequences of the disease are so devastating and
the results with conservative care are usually so
dramatic. Most adult onset diabetics can be brought
under control and freed from the use of insulin and other
medication through the use of fasting and a carefully
followed diet and lifestyle program. Such a program will
allow most diabetics to achieve a high level of function
and the ability to maintain normal sugar levels without
medications.

There are exceptions

Not everyone is a candidate for fasting. There are a
number of factors to consider before a fast is
recommended. My procedure is to first review the
patient’s medical history and perform a comprehensive
physical examination including appropriate laboratory or
specialized diagnostic tests. I then review my findings
with the patient and make appropriate recommendations.
These may include dietary and lifestyle recommendations.
These may include dietary and lifestyle changes, exercise
programs, etc., and, when indicated, fasting. When
fasting is indicated, patients stay at my institution.

Not every individual or every condition will respond to
conservative treatment. Occasionally medical care may be
necessary. When a medical consultation or treatment is
indicated, the safest methods available should be
utilized.

Where to fast

With the possible exception of very short fasts in acute
disease — such as a cold, fever, etc.— all fasting should
be undertaken in an institution under the direct
supervision of a doctor trained in fasting supervision.
A certified member of the International Association of
Hygienic Physicians would by far be your best choice.

Fasting in an institution offers several advantages. The
most important is the constant availability of an
experienced doctor to guide and advise you. Most
institutions have an educational program designed to help
you better understand Natural Hygiene — the science of
health. The benefits of being in a clean, quiet and
emotionally supportive environment should not be
underestimated.

In addition, a timely and proper termination of each fast
is critical to the long-term success of the patient.
Fasting under the supervision of a trained, qualified
doctor is your best assurance of a well-conducted,
beneficial fasting experience.

A Case Study:

Chronic gastrointestinal disorder

"A woman came to the Center recently who had suffered
chronic constipation for more than 20 years. She
complained that she had not had a single spontaneous
bowel movement during that time without the assistance of
enemas, colonics or laxatives.

"She fasted with us for a period of 12 days, during which
time she experienced mild discomfort and referred low
back pain. On the fifth day of feeding after the fast,
she was having spontaneous, normally formed bowel
movements — and she had continued to have them since.

"The long-term follow-up for people who stay on the
Natural Hygiene dietary program is excellent. Chronic
constipation is definitely a problem that people can
learn to live without."

Alan Goldhamer, D.C.

A natural process

"Fasting, or the abstinence from food, is a means used in
nature by all creatures from the beginning of time.
Either by instinct or intelligence this means has been
used to assist the body to relieve itself from
discomfort, pain and disease.

"Regulatory and reparative processes of the body are
given unimpeded encouragement by the temporary omission
of food. No other form of health care can boast the
rewarding and gratifying results in the elimination of
disease and the restoration of health.

"Fasting, once considered a fad, has gained acceptance
not only by a constantly increasing segment of society —
and has also earned the stamp of approval by many in the
scientific community.

"Under qualified and experienced supervision, fasting is
the greatest gift which can be given to an overburdened,
sick body without benefit of any other form of therapy or
treatment."

William Esser, N.D., D.C.

An empowering rest

"Fasting is simply a process of deep physiological rest.
This rest period helps you rebuild functioning power and
recover from the energy dissipation caused by hectic
daily schedules and abusive living habits.

"When outside stressors, dietary and therapeutic
influences are eliminated during the fasting state,
fasting reveals the baseline status of your body. This
enables you to become more sensitive and connected to
your body. This connection fosters a greater awareness
of the instinctive biological and emotional requirements
that are essential for the maintenance of health and
wholeness."

Frank Sabatino, D.C., Ph.D.

Unfounded fears about fasting

"Unfounded fear is a peculiar state of disease within the
imagination, arising largely out of a lack of knowledge.

"If we are slaves to unfounded fears, we are also slaves
to beliefs and practices and action which are
inconsistent with our well-being. So it is a matter of
necessity that we understand fasting and all its facets
if we are to overcome the fears that are associated with
it.

"Many people attempt to solve the problems of life, the
distresses of the body and the anxieties of the mind with
food and drugs. They have great fear about not eating
because they have experienced the headaches, the weakness
and distress they associate with it, and they are
convinced that food and drugs are the answer to their
problems.

"How can you convince someone that going further without
food is a matter of necessity for the recovery of his
health? Only through knowledge and enough suffering to
change his attitudes.

"The best way to dispel unfounded fear about fasting is
with knowledge — knowledge that breeds confidence,
confidence that engenders beliefs, and beliefs that
result in correct action."

D.J. Scott, D.C.


Making wise decisions

"Not everyone is a good candidate for fasting. Many
factors need to be considered before a fast is
undertaken. Not every condition will respond optimally
to fasting and conservative care alone. Occasionally,
medical care may be necessary.

"At the Center we have established good working
relationships with some of California’s best
specialists. When a medical consultation or treatment is
indicated, the safest methods available should always be
utilized."

Jennifer Marano, D.C.

Heightening your awareness

"A wonderful thing about fasting is that it puts an
interval between the behavior that you are accustomed to
and the behavior that you aspire to. We tend to be
creatures of habit, and the ways that we are accustomed
to eating and living feel as natural to us as breathing.
That is why it is so difficult for people to stop bad
habits. But fasting brings your present lifestyle to an
abrupt halt. It gives you an opportunity to pause,
reflect and decide how you are going to conduct your life
afterwards. This enables you to make a break with your
past and set off in a new, more positive direction.

"There is nothing routine about eating after a fast.
Each meal is a celebration. After fasting, you tend to
be very conscious about what you are eating, and why.
Fasting heightens your awareness, as well as your
appreciation for food. By fasting, we learn to eat with
reverence.

"It is the non-doing aspect of fasting that enables us to
make behavioral stopping and pausing and interrupting our
usual patterns, as we learn to take more conscious
control of ourselves.

"There is no better way to stop a vicious cycle of self-
destructive behavior than by fasting."

End of forwarded message from

Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti