Fasting is an ancient practice used to heighten spiritual awareness or express political beliefs. Today, fasting is common for health purposes, a method for cleansing the body and jumpstarting a weight-loss plan. Fasting can be dangerous for some people, however. To avoid dehydration and vitamin deficiencies, it's always best to fast under the guidance of a trusted health care professional.
Essential Vitamins
Most people have fasted at some point in their lives, whether with the flu, in the early stages of pregnancy or while in mourning. These fasts were likely unintentional, having more to do with illness than with the practice of fasting itself. In either case, your body needs certain nutrients while you fast. After long periods without eating, your body adjusts by reducing your appetite. While you might not feel hungry, you still need essential vitamins and other nutrients to maintain health. Without them, you might begin to experience symptoms including intolerance to cold, dizziness, fatigue, constipation and dehydration. These are your body's warning signals.
Safety of Fasting
Fasting for a few days might be harmless for otherwise healthy people, particularly if the person fasting drinks fluids and consumes a vitamin supplement. However, vitamin supplements cannot replace a balanced diet. Fasting can be dangerous and even life-threatening for some people. Pregnant or breast-feeding women and people with chronic health conditions should not fast, even for short periods, without medical supervision. Because of the dangers of unstable blood sugars, diabetics are especially at risk for complications while fasting.
Purported Benefits
Fasting plans and detox diets have become common in a diet-obsessed culture. Supporters claim fasting helps flush environmental toxins and harmful substances from the organs. Because the body is not inundated with food and is free of the chore of breaking down and digesting foods, it can focus on cleansing. Although this theory makes sense, it's not scientifically proven. MayoClinic.com nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky says the kidneys and liver are able to efficiently and effectively remove the toxins we ingest and excrete them in urine and stool. The only other health benefit of fasting is weight loss, which generally happens when the body converts stored fat into energy. This type of weight loss, however, is generally temporary.
Using Vitamins While Fasting
Although fasting is not advisable, those who do fast should take a multivitamin and mineral supplement or use fresh juices to get much-needed nutrients. Organic fruits and vegetables make the healthiest juices, as they're free from pesticides and preservatives. Talk to your doctor before beginning your fast and report any side effects immediately.
