Questions & Answers

Does everyone undergo violent crises during the fast?

Disagreeable crises only occur in a small percentage of cases. Everyone can fast for a few days without inconvenience. According to Dr. Shelton, most fasters go through even a long fast with nothing more dramatic developing than they experienced during the regular activities of life. Most of the work of excretion is carried on silently and without the production of troublesome crises. In the human body, it is the task of the excretory organs to expel all waste and all foreign material that may find their way into it. They continue to do this, usually with greater efficiency, during the fast.

Can older people fast?

The older person can fast with beneficial results if done under supervision. Dr. Shelton has conducted numerous fasts in both men and women whose ages ranged from sixty-five to eighty-five. Many of these patients had long fasts from thirty to over forty days.

Could you review the basic rationale of fasting?

Dr. Shelton outlined four important facts about fasting; he says:

1. Fasting, as a period of physiological rest, affords the tissues and organs of the body an opportunity to repair, renew, and replenish themselves. Damaged organs are repaired; worn out and diseased cells are discarded and cast out.
   
2. Fasting, as a period of physiological rest, affords an opportunity for recuperation of depleted energy.
   
3. Fasting, because it compels the body to rely upon its internal resources, forces the tearing down (by autolysis) of growths, effusions, infiltrations, deposits, accumulations and excesses. These are thoroughly overhauled, their usable constituents are employed in nourishing the vital tissues, their unusable portions are excreted.
4. Fasting, by the foregoing and related processes, enables the body to regenerate itself to a marked degree. It becomes younger in physiological condition. Its functions are improved, its structures repaired, and its fitness to live increased.

I have heard that fasting has a rejuvenating effect. Is this true?

Yes, this is true. The body is constantly going through a process of regeneration. This daily renewal of cells and tissues delays old age and early death despite the abuses that are imposed upon the bodies of most people. Fasting enables the processes of renewal to out-distance the processes of degeneration and the result is a higher standard of health. Regeneration of the muscles, tissues, and bones is possible through this method. During the fast, we may actually tear down much of the body and then rebuild it and have a renewed one.
The rejuvenating effect upon the skin is visible to all. Lines, wrinkles, blotches, pimples, and discolorations disappear. The skin becomes more youthful, acquires a better color and a better texture. The eyes clear up and become brighter. One looks younger. The rejuvenation is also present throughout the entire body.