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View Full Version : So many questions... 30 Day Juice/Water Fast



LionChaser
11-03-2007, 02:29 PM
I’m preparing for a 30 day juice/water fast and I dislike raw veggies. I love raw fruit though. Is it ok if I don’t change my eating habits 100% before starting? What is the most important part of a pre-fast preparation? I’m under the impression that it’s to cleanse/empty the colon, bowels, and liver. Taking a liver supplement and natural laxative seems like the same end result, but what would be the differences between the two? I’d like to start my fast ASAP preferably Monday (Nov 5th) but that would only give me two days to prepare for detox. The best option seems to be to wait until the following Monday and spend a little time preparing for detox but I’m impatient and I see that other people have done fasting for the first time with no preparation and with good results.

This is the liver supplement I’d take; it’s to restore liver cells and is made up of Milk Thistle and Dandelion

Each tablet provides:
• 156 mg milk thistle extract with 76 mg silybin extract.
• 125 mg dandelion root extract.
• 75 mg turmeric extract.
• Citrus Bioflavonoid and Acerola Concentrates.

My other question is about juice/water intake. As of now I take in about a gallon of water a day and love it, but is there any restriction on the amount of water I should have during the fast? It seems like a dumb question because I can have as much juice as I want, but does it matter about water? Also is spring water the best type for fasting?

Also I’ve heard different things about supplements when fasting. I’m on the best supplements I’ve ever found right now and loving it. (All natural, good stats, the company controls the supplement from seed to pill and holds itself to FDA regulations voluntarily) I’ve seen places say not to take them at all and other promote taking them because it may enhance healing/detox effects. (Plus I’d get a little Omega-3 and B-12) What’s your call on that?

The same company has a hunger suppressant called HCA that’s incredible. It is also completely natural. Can I take that for the first few days to stave off the hunger?
HCA is hydroxycitric acid (HCA) and apparently inhibits the body's production of chemical messengers that are involved in the feeding behavior. All I know is that it works well, but I want to make sure it’s ok. I have exact stat sheets if anyone wants to see them.

Is there any reason to not utilize citrus juice? I hear it’s awesome for a fast but saw an article that said Grapefruit should be avoided and went on to say avoiding all citrus would be a good idea. It didn’t list any reasons though so I wanted to ask.

I’ve also read about the detox process and in regards to the breath/tongue film/oily skin due to purging bad stuff is it a good idea to maybe up the shower count to two per day and brushing/using mouth wash more often? I just purchased a skin care regiment too before deciding to fast so should I hold off on starting that or would it be a better idea since the extra oil might start causing issues?

My fiancé has decided to take the journey with me as well and she has Crohn’s Disease. She is on a medication for intestine inflammation and all the information we’ve seen says to continue it throughout the fast and I’ve seen juice fasting recommended on the web specifically for Crohn’s patients so I just wanted to get an opinion on that too if possible!
And last but not least and I’m sure it’s always an issue, but is there any substitute for an enema? I really don’t think I can do that. Senna tea is good to move things out but it doesn’t cleanse right? What cleansing alternatives are out there? I’d like to go in with a fairly clean bowel to reduce negative effects.

EDIT: Also, why is cold water not suggested when diluting juices? I've read not to drink 100% juice at any time because it might stimulate the digestive process, is that true? I'm excited about having celery juice in me but really dislike the taste so I was planning to chug a little here and there just for the nutrition, is that a bad idea?

Thanks so much!

LionChaser
11-05-2007, 01:47 PM
Anyone?

Thanks!

iamacranberry
11-07-2007, 03:33 PM
I'm with you on this actually; I've already started.

The link to a wonderful thread on fasting is:
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12099

And on detox:
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=34279&highlight=fasting

LionChaser
11-08-2007, 03:28 PM
Awesome, thanks!

DharmaGirl
11-11-2007, 06:51 PM
Hey LionChaser....

How're you doing on your fast???? How're you feeling? Are you doing mostly water or veggie/fruit???? Happy juicing!! ;)

Boo Radley
11-14-2007, 11:44 AM
Laxatives aren't good for you. Not even the herbal kind, really. They are healthier than the normal kind from the grocery store, but should only be used occassionally.

That's why enema is recommended on fasts. It doesn't have the same negative effect on the bowel. Any time I fast, I take a water enema at least every other day. Some authorities recommend an enema every day while on a fast, but I figure every other day is good enough for me.

But if you only want to take the laxative that one time prior to fasting, I don't think that would be bad. Personally, I don't do anything special prior to fasting. But then, I can't seem to make it a whole 30 days. (My will power usually gives out around the 16th day.)

Good luck to you. :)

iamacranberry
11-15-2007, 05:29 PM
Depending on which expert you follow, enemas are no good, too. Things are meant to go out your bum, not the other way around.

Enemas remove much of the good bacteria that are supposed to inhabit the intestine. Those and anti-biotics both...

Boo Radley
11-19-2007, 05:39 PM
The normal, brief water enemas I use on fasts do not compare in any way to antibiotics in their effect on the good bacteria in my intestine. The water doesn't get that far, it contains no flouride or chlorine, and it's not in there long enough. A little of the good bacteria might be removed by a normal enema, but not nearly as much as is killed off by antibiotics. I think you might be thinking about more serious enemas (colonics, hydrotherapy enemas, etc.)


Enemas are for fasting only in my world. (Constipation doesn't exist here, thankfully.) They are recommended when fasting, because the bowels of many folks won't empty often enough when they are on long (juice or water) fasts. This is because juice or water fasting slows down digestion greatly in most fasters after they have fasted for so many days.

I have no doubt that you are correct about some folks saying that enemas are bad, even on fasts. However, every fasting expert I've ever heard or read always recommends use of enemas on long (juice or water) fasts. They also say that use of laxatives on such fasts is to be avoided. Judging from my experiences with fasting, I would have to agree that enemas are good for use on these fasts, and laxatives are bad.

I don't think many of us really want to put stuff in our bums, but it is important to keep the bowels moving, because this is one way the body eliminates toxins. Enema is disgusting, but healthier than laxative. And I know from experience my body feels better on a fast when I keep everything moving. Since the fasting I do is for increasing health, I avoid laxatives.

But if you prefer to use a laxative, go for it. I'm just sharing here, not invested. :)

Be well.