Healthy Lifestyle
Can starvation help you be healthier, more energetic and fit? What are the benefits and dangers of the regime? We have compiled the most important answers on the topic.
1. What is water fasting?
This is a type of toxic substance removal process where nothing but water or pure tea (green is preferred) is consumed. The water fast usually lasts from 16 to 72 hours. Specialists advise you not to go beyond these three days without medical recommendation and monitoring, because, despite its indisputable long lasting benefits of water fasting, the procedure also poses a number of health risks.
This type of fasting is a common practice in different cultures that use it to restore physical and spiritual balance. It allows your body to self-purify and heals itself.
2. Why is water fasting necessary?
The answer is short - it provides deep and lasting detoxification. And nowadays it is especially important because the body is attacked by many external factors such as chemicals in food - hormones, antibiotics, polluted air, harmful cosmetics, aggressive drugs and more. As a consequence, huge amounts of slag, heavy metals and other harmful accumulations are accumulated in the body, which block the cells and lead to many undesirable effects such as skin problems, lack of energy, as well it can unlock serious diseases.
There are different methods of detoxification such as consumption of zeolite water, cereals, or disinfection through silver water, but experts say starvation, which includes only water fasting (within 72 hours), is the most powerful method of detoxification (of all dangerous toxins and chemicals in the body).
3. What do you need to know if you decide to switch to water detox?
The daily recommended amount of water is calculated when you multiply your weight by 0.033ml for 1 kg.
It is good to take enough water, but also not too much, as the extra water can substitute useful substances needed by the body, such as Electrolytes - Potassium, Sodium and others. Detoxification of this kind is only applicable at home, but only if it is applied for a short time - up to 3 days with at least 1 to 4 weeks of preparation, depending on the needs and health status of the person. If you wish to follow the fasting plan for longer than indicated, this should only happen under medical supervision and / or after consultation with a specialist.
It is important that you consult a specialist because he or she will take into account your individual health status and prepare you for an effective and sparing dietary detoxification plan. If you have never tried this kind of extreme method, it is best to consult one of our specialists.
4. Why is water the key to detoxification? What are the benefits?
This is definitely a very effective way of eliminating toxins from the body! Lack of food for an extended period of time, even up to 16 hours, significantly improves the functions of the digestive system and speeds up metabolism. In addition, it has the ability to rejuvenate the body, because during the period of fasting the body switches to rest mode and recovers from all harmful attacking factors. This is also how the ageing process slows down. Water fasting also stimulates the cardiovascular system, improves cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides.
It is also an effective method of weight loss because you consume nothing but water or tea, which means that the body does not have access to food. And when the body does not receive energy from food, it uses fat as a major source of energy - thus helping to break down fat and reduce weight.
"However, it is important to emphasize that weight loss is most likely 0.9 kg per day, with 0.6 being extracellular water and 0.3 kg. is fat. One day it takes our body to start burning fat because it first uses the available energy like glucose and glycogen. ", said Tihomir Bodursky, a nutritionist, a detox specialist and a professional personal and group trainer, part of our team.
Another advantage of water fasting is the rejuvenation that causes because it allows the body to take the time to purify unusable cells, regenerate old ones & form new ones. The fasting has positive on cell ageing and oxidation. Increased water intake helps to eliminate toxins from the body, thus restoring the cells completely, which in turn leads to rejuvenation from the inside out.
The removal of toxins through water is another important advantage. One is that it has a positive effect on people who have skin problems. Consumption of water improves the health and elasticity of the skin as it eliminates toxins from cells.
Another important and useful fact is that, according to recent research, a fasting of any type can help improve insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance is a major contributor to the development of type 2 diabetes, so it is possible that fasting may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of diabetes.
Water fasting is widespread, but caution should be exercised. Although it can help you lose weight and discard unnecessary toxins, there are potential risks that, if you are not careful, can outweigh the benefits.
5. What are the disadvantages of water fasting?
Water fasting poses a number of dangers for people with specific health conditions such as gout or diabetes and for those who have chosen to abide by it for more than three days without consulting a specialist in the field.
One of the risks is a nutritional deficiency. By limiting your calories, you also limit the essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and electrolytes needed for the body to function properly. Prolonged water fasting is a serious test for the body, so it must be considered and taken with caution!
Curiously -- despite the consumption of water during the fasting, there is a likelihood of dehydration. For many people, at least 20% of their daily water intake comes from food. For this reason, some take a small amount of salt during or before fasting and supplement with potassium at least during fasting so as not to increase the likelihood of suffering from dehydration (hyponatremia), which is not due to insufficient water in the body, and not enough electrolytes are the most important potassium and sodium.
This is also the reason that the regime is not recommended for intense sports unless additional potassium and sodium is taken because sweating loses vital to the body salt that cannot be supplied with food or water.
"Bringing calories to zero still has its dangers - dizziness, fatigue and inability to focus, this happens most often in organisms that have not done the required preparation in 1-4 weeks and their body is still adapted to burning glucose, such as the main source of energy. As long as the body switches to burning fat, these symptoms are most severe.
It is also nice to mention here that a person who is not adapted to this extreme fasting – he/she is experiencing up to 3 times more hunger than one who is adapted. When necessary daily calorie consumption is close to zero, your body will struggle to function at the optimum level to achieve concentration (as concentration is needed for moving your body).
It is also possible that a headache may occur, as a result of toxin cleansing and loss of minerals/electrolytes. It is a good idea to try water fasting when you have the time and you are not feeling stressed. "It is good to isolate yourself from stress because it contributes to becoming extra nervous, irrational, annoyed and increases the unjustified hunger. ", Tihomir Bodursky shared this with us.
It is also important to note that water fasting has several risks for people with certain health problems and they should not try to comply with it. It not recommended for those who suffer from:
- Gout - fasting with only water intake can increase the production of uric acid, which is a risk factor for gout attacks;
- Chronic kidney disease - starvation can impair renal function;
- Type 1 diabetes - Fasting may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis and hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
6. Alternatives to water fasting
There are various, not so extreme, methods by which you can remove toxins from your body through water! Detoxification water for weight loss comes to the rescue. In addition to cleansing your body of toxins, it will also help you burn excess fat. Here's a very effective recipe!
To prepare it you need 2L of water + cut into pieces: 1/2 medium grapefruit, 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 lemon and lime. All the ingredients are mixed and left in the refrigerator for at least two hours before consumption. Drink at least 1L a day for optimal results.
Another fragrant and extremely useful detox drink is water + apples + cinnamon. Not only is it tasty and calorie-free, but it is also a great method for losing weight and removing harmful substances. It also helps to improve metabolism. It takes 2L of water + 1 apple, cut into thin slices + a pinch of cinnamon. Take one pot and fill halfway with ice, then add water and finally the remaining ingredients. It is best to refrigerate for about 1 hour before consuming.
In fact, preparing detoxification water at home is very easy. All you need is water and a selection of your favourite fruits and herbs.
Bottom line: water fasting is a popular method that has many proven benefits but it also has its risks. Be informed and trust a specialist who will help you achieve optimal results without endangering your health!
If you want to change and need professional help to achieve it, our team of licensed professionals is here for you :)
Leave a comment