Benefits of Fasting - Lotus Life

June 6, 2018 Melissa Soria

Aloha cherished Friends & Guests!

Food is everywhere. The smell, the taste, the sight of it. It is hard not indulging in the delicious aromas surrounding you, especially when your stomach is grumbling and your automatic thought is to satisfy your hunger. I love food, and when my stomach is grumbling all I want to do is ‘feed the beast’. Have you ever thought about the benefits of fasting (for 24, 48 or 72 hours)? If you are religious or needed blood work, surgeries, or procedures, you may be familiar to fasting.

As I mentioned previously, I am a breast cancer survivor. The benefits of fasting not only help while going through cancer treatment, but the post-treatment benefits are substantial. Fasting lowers the risk of cancer ever being a disease you will have to fight again. After treatment, my ‘Program’ includes fasting 72 hours monthly as it kills cancer stem cells. Since I am a young cancer survivor, I have a longer road ahead to stay cancer free and so far fasting has been helpful in more ways than one. In Dan Purser’s book Surviving Breast Cancer Guide, he explains that cancer cells feed and spread off sugar. By starving cancer cells, you are helping prevent cancer cells from spreading.

The benefits of fasting don’t stop there as Dr. Dan Purser continues to explain in his YouTube video. Fasting can lower lipids, inflammation, pre-malignant stem cells, and risk of cancer. If you are diabetic, consult your primary care physician as a fast should be closely monitored. It is also recommended to drink a lot of water, take vitamins, maintain electrolytes, and continue medications. During a fast you will want to continually drink clear liquids which is essential in a fast as you still need to keep your body hydrated. For some, fasting can be a spiritual experience, making them more aware of their surroundings and decisions.

You need to be committed to make a fast work in order for it to be effective. From personal experience, I notice when I fast my stomach shrinks and I don’t eat as much as I did before the fast. I am more mindful of what I am eating and how much I am eating. I am in a better habit of drinking more water which helps me feel full. With these minor changes from fasting, I lose weight and feel healthier. This is a great way to restart, cleanse your body, and start eating more nutritious. I make it a goal to fast monthly as I may need to build up up to a 72-hour fast, but the benefits are worth a little stomach rumble.

Keep smiling,

Melissa Soria