As the spirit grows more perceptive during a well-savored fast, both soul and body can enjoy a special well-being.
“Fasting is not really fasting,” my husband, Larry Scherwitz, said when he learned the topic of this article. “It’s slowing.” An inveterate “faster,” Larry knows that fasting—the custom of abstaining from nourishment—is virtually a universal phenomenon, a “slowing down” path practiced by those on a spiritual quest who seek transcendence, visionary truths, and life renewal.
Physiology of Fasting
Along with providing spiritual substance, fasting has a physiological effect on the body—even when fasting for, let’s say, one day. During the first six or so hours following your last meal, the body uses glucose, amino acids (the building blocks of protein), and fats, all of which are absorbed from the intestinal tract. If you continue to fast, your body will use glycogen (sugar) stored in muscle and liver cells to provide fuel for the brain and central nervous system. After about 10 hours of fasting, your body switches from metabolizing glucose to converting fat (adipose) tissue into fatty acids for energy.
Needless to say, when fasting, the body’s reserves of nutrients vary with each individual. What is consistent, though, is the recommendation of resting while fasting, rather than going without food while working, doing physical activity, or feeling stressed (such as worrying, being anxious, fearful, etc.). This is because physical and/or emotional stress can increase the need for fuel (energy), which would make it difficult to adapt to the fasting state. When you begin to eat again, choose small servings of easily digested food, such as broth, fruit, or steamed vegetables. A caveat: The longer you’ve fasted, the more time you’ll need to take to build up to your usual diet.
What might the mysterious mechanism—both spiritual and physical—of fasting be? I have pondered this over the years. Perhaps as “internal gazing” replaces often unconscious, ongoing “grazing” on food, we’re more prone to turn to hunger for sensory experience. Instead of food, the scent of the air, the varied tones of color in our surroundings, the emotional “flavor” of the moment, the crunch of leaves and the whistle of the wind, the texture of clothing, and the kinesthetic mystery of movement and motion—become our nourishment. Perhaps, “listening” to such gifts, we open ourselves to spiritual signals and subtleties that help us to experience and “hear” the unity of all life.
Deborah Kesten, MPH, an international nutrition researcher and Certified Wellness Coach, is the award-winning author of Feeding the Body, Nourishing the Soul, The Healing Secrets of Food, and The Enlightened Diet. Visit her at www.Enlightened-Diet.com to take her FREE What’s Your Eating Style? Quiz, and to learn more about her Whole Person Nutrition Program for weight loss and wellness, coaching, and books.
I've fasted a lot in my life…mostly because my grandmother used to make me but I never really much thought of how much it benefits us. I've been thinking of doing it more lately and this definitely helps tons!
This is a wonderful way of looking at a fast. I'll remember this when I go on my week-long vegan raw experiment sometime soon.
mahalo nui for this wonderful article. as a practitioner of la'au lapa'au (hawaiian herbal medicine), i use fasting a lot personally and professionally for both its spiritual and physical benefits. thank you for supporting this important, powerful, and often misunderstood pracitce.
Great perspective: seeking sensory nourishment wherever we can!
Pavel Somov, Ph.D., licensed psychologist, author of "Eating the Moment: 141 Mindful Practices to Overcome Overeating One Meal at a Time" (New Harbinger, 2008) http://www.eatingthemoment.com
Well said Deborah. Your last para is a beauty with real substance. Fasting is conducive to 'internal gazing' replacing often unconscious ongoing 'grazing' for food. !!!
I think the recent recession is also aiding 'internal gazing' Don't you agree ?
I appreciate your insightful, like-minded comments. Yes. Absolutely. I also believe that a possible up-side of the recession is that it may lead more people to "internal gazing" and taking more time to reflect on what's meaningful and important.