Benefits of Juice Fasting

Today is the first day of what I plan to be a 5-10 day juice fast. I did a fast at the end of last year, which I blogged about on my former blog fitbyfiftysuzannesfitnessjourney  I believe I lost 11 pounds in five days on that fast. But, the best thing was the way I felt after releasing all those toxins in my body. I have been extremely out of control on my eating, so I thought it was a good time to do another juice fast. I went to Whole Foods the afternoon to buy all my organic fruits and veggies for juicing - apples, kale, cucumbers, celery, carrots, ginger, beets,green peppers, and more. Today I had some Naked Juice and some green juice from Whole Foods with Wheat Grass in it to get me started - and it kicked my butt! I felt so nauseous and headachy. Then I looked up the effects of Wheat Grass on a toxic body (which mine totally is now!)- and I had all the effects. I am feeling a little better now - after a little nap. Tomorrow I will start juicing my own juice using a variety of recipes. One of the first juices I will be concocting is Apple, Beet, Cucumber, Ginger.

Here are some of the benefits of juice fasting:

In addition to promoting the excretion of toxins and decreasing congestive symptoms, juice fasts are believed to have the following benefits:

• Eliminates most food allergies and sensitivities.
• Enhances mental, physical, and spiritual well-being
• Mental clarity
• Glowing skin
• Prevents chronic diseases caused by poor diet and lifestyle
• Clears mucus discharge
• Weight loss
  

Additionally, juice is full of live enzymes, which is wonderful for your body. You can consumer more vegetables drinking freshly squeezed juice then you can by eating them normally. Drinking fresh vegetable juice helps you eat as many if not more vegetables as you would like.

Fasting also gives your digestive system a rest. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices require little digestion, and are quickly assimilated into your body. Since most of the energy normally involved in your assimilation, digestion, and elimination is freed up, you feel a sense of renewed energy after a juice fast.

Juice fasting helps break down toxic elements such as pesticides, drugs and other chemicals from stored fat, and releases diseased tissues and their cellular products into the circulation for elimination. Also, new cell growth during fasting is stimulated and accelerated, as the required proteins are re-synthesized from decomposed cells. Your blood-protein level remains constant and normal throughout your fast, as your body will use protein and other stored nutrients where needed. 
I know this juice fast will reset my body and my mind for the second half of 2011, which starts on Friday. Can you believe 2011 is half over already? More tomorrow on the fast. I am hoping tomorrow is better. I know it will be. The end result is going to be awesome!