What is Juice Fasting ?

Juice Fast / Juice Cleansing

Juice cleansing is meant for allowing the digestive system to take some rest time so that the energy that would have been used for digestion can be further used in our cells to eliminate wastes. The body can metabolize its own tissues to supply energy which are otherwise provided from the intake of food, it first only burns weak cells or the damaged cells that are diseased.

Juice Fasting Detox - Juice Detoxification

And during this periodic fast, the body can restore aspects of improved health. It is possible to lose anywhere from 5-10 pounds during this one day fast. You certainly should not under rtake a fast unless you are in an extremely good state of health to start with. Don't choose fasting as your first-ever type of detox. Wait until you have tried a few 7, 14 or 28-30-day detoxes and are no longer experiencing side effects from them.

Build up gradually to a fast, as the body can go into panic mode if you suddenly make a substantial change in your eating habits. If your body thinks you are starving, it will retain all the fat (and toxins) it can, rather than releasing fat cells for elimination. It's important to consult a qualified health professional before trying a juice fast.

How much weight will I lose on a juice fast ?

The main benefit offered by a juice fast, to those who wish to lose weight, is the speed of the weight loss. Initially, weight loss can be as high as 3-4 pounds per day, but as the fast continues, the average loss will be 1 pound-per-day. Some fasters have reported initial weight loss as high as 3 lbs during the first week of a juice fast. To see a person drop 30-to-40 pounds in a 30-day juice fast is to see a person totally transform his life. Self-esteem is given a boost and for the first time in their life, discipline becomes a lifestyle. The fast becomes a catalyst for a total life overhaul. People start dressing better, showing more confidence, becoming more organized, more dedicated in relationships and more at peace.

This diet should be followed in 3 stages for it to work:

• Stage 1 - 7-Day Pre-Detox
• Stage 2 - 1-Day Juice Fast
• Stage 3 - 3-Day Post-Detox

As you can see the 1-Day Detox Diet actually turns out to be a 11-Day Detox. Once you have completed Stage 3, you should have an improve liver and colon function and an increase in your energy levels.

Stage 1: 7-Day Pre-Detox

• Consume at least 1 – 3 servings of any of these foods ( Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, artichoke, beets, celery, lemons, limes, oranges, garlic, onions, eggs, and whey protein.
• Take a least one food or supplement such as ground flaxseeds, apples, pears, berries, carrots & powdered psyllium husks.
• Two tablespoons of flaxseed or olive oil.
• Two servings of lean protein
• Purified water to equal half your bodyweght in oz.

Stage 2: 1-Day Juice Fast

• Drink a cup of fluid every hour starting from when you wake up.
• Every other hour consume a juice that is a mixture of unsweetened cranberry juice, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, fresh squeezed orange juice, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and finally you will need a herb called stevia. This can be found at your local health food store.

How Do You Make The Detox Juice ?

Boil the cranberry water and simmer over low heat for approximately 20 minutes, while adding the ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cool the mixture while adding the orange juice,lemon juice and Stevia.

What Do I Do Upon Rising And Sleeping ?

When you wake and when you go to sleep, you must take either the powdered psyllium husks (1 or 2 teaspoons) or 2 or 3 tablespoons of the ground flaxseeds with a glass of water or with your juice mixture. Make sure that you keep exercise to a minimum.

Stage 3: 3-Day Post-Detox

The last stage of post detox is the same as the 7 day pre detoxstage except that you also need to

• Consume at least one daily serving of organic, raw sauerkraut or non fat or low fat yogurt with live, active cultures. This will help restore the good bacteria in your body.

Who Shouldn't Try a Juice Fast ?

• Pregnant or nursing women and children shouldn't try a juice fast.
• People should not try a juice fast before or after a surgical procedure.
• People with diabetes, eating disorders, low blood sugars, kidney disease, liver disease, malnutrition, underweight, addictions, anemia, impaired immune function, infection, nutritional deficiency, low blood pressure, ulcerative colitis, cancer, terminal illness, epilepsy or other chronic conditions should not try a juice fast. If you do, it should be under strict medical supervision.
• Juice fasting can reduce blood proteins and change the way prescription drugs react in the body. People who are taking prescription medications should consult a health professional skilled in detoxification before trying a juice fast, and should never discontinue or reduce their medications on their own.

What Are The Possible Side Effects of a Juice Fast ?

• The common temporary side effects of a juice fast are headaches, tiredness, hypoglycemia, constipation, acne, increased body odor and bad breath.
• Other side effects of a juice fast can include fainting, dizziness, low blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, weight loss, hunger, vomiting, diarrhea and kidney problems. If you experience these side effects and there is a worsening of these symptoms, or new symptoms appear, you should stop the fast and immediately visit a qualified health professional.
• Another possible side effect of a juice fast is diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte loss. If juice fasting is continued for a long period of time it can lead to nutrient deficiences, particularly protein and calcium deficiency.
• Grapefruit juice should not be used in a fast, especially by people taking certain prescription drugs. A compound in grapefruit can change the way certain prescription drugs are metabolized in the body. Most recently there is evidence that pomegranate juice could also have the same effect.

4. Fruit juices are definitely more aggressive as compared to the vegetable juices and especially the citrus fruit juices. But if you are suffering from arthritis, you must avoid these citrus fruits.
5. The fresh and raw juices are rich in alkaline minerals that help in neutralizing the toxins.
6. Drink ample amount of fruit juices everyday in conjunction with water to detoxify the system thoroughly.
7. Mild exercise and movements can be done during the process of cleansing. Deep breathing exercises and brisk walking can also be helpful.
8. Toxins are also eliminated through our skin, since it is the largest organ of the human body. Keep your skin clean and brush your skin during a shower to remove the toxins thoroughly.
9. Do not mix the vegetable and fruit juices together. It can have an adverse effect.
10. Break your fast slowly and not abruptly. Take some time before introducing solid foods, raw food are the best choice.

While there are many fruit juices for juice cleansing to try, my personal favourite is the lemon juice and cayenne pepper diet for detoxification.