Because of our mechanized and industrialized society we find toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury and arsenic polluting our food, air, water and soil. The human body works hard to eliminate toxins, but as exposure increases, the body is less able to detoxify. One way we can help eliminate these toxins is to have periodic fast days.

Fast days are very beneficial to help the body cleanse and heal. It is recommended that you fast twice a month for a couple of days or better yet, fast one day a week. Try to fast at least one day a month to start.

Because most of us are filled with toxins, it is much harder on the body to fast by consuming only water. A juice fast is recommended over a water fast for people beginning fasting for the first time. The juice of fruits and vegetables is filled with healing, cleansing properties, which allow the body to gently and safely detoxify. Juice is packed with vitamins, minerals, living enzymes, antioxidants and phytochemicals. The nutrients go into the body and the toxins come out.

Juice fasting can include fresh juice, herbal teas sweetened with honey or Sucanat, vegetable broth, Barley Green, wheatgrass juice, and supplements helpful to your specific condition.

You may consider modifying the fast by including slices of avocado or banana to slow the cleansing process. Modified juice fasting is good for those with health restrictions such as diabetes or hypoglycemia. Bananas and avocados are slow to digest and maintain a stable blood sugar level. Their high calorie content slows the intensity of the fast and, because they are easy to digest, the body still devotes energy to cleansing.

If you are concerned about the levels of toxins you may have in your body, a simple hair mineral analysis can determine stored tissue levels of toxic metals. Hair analysis should be done every 3 to 6 months to check metal levels.

Periodic fasting is a great way to get your body on the fast track to detoxification.

By Dianne Ronnow ? 2005 Mohave Publishing. All rights reserved. From the Enzyme-health Blog found at Enzyme-Health.com.

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