Let's face it. We live in a toxic world. And while there is no way to completely eliminate toxins from our body (after all, we breathe them), I think that it is always a good idea to do a body detoxification every now and again. I should also say that if you live right, then chances are you won't have to "detox" as often and for as long.  In this hub I will talk about the benefits of fasting as a way to detoxify.

Why Fasting works....

There are many different ways to detox but the most popular is through fasting. While some people may look as this as crazy (who would want to go on a starvation diet, right), understand that most cultures throughout the world fast and even the Bible talks about fasting as a way to attain enlightenment.

For thousands of years, people have used fasting as a way to help the body "catch up" and to help the body reuuvenate from a litany of health problems,. Most of the world's oldest systems of health have relied on fasting for healing.

In fact, the father of modern day medicine himself, Hippocrates, wrote explicitly about the benefits of fasting as a way to not only heal yourself but to also improve both physical and spriritual clarity.

Fasting for detoxification purposes

The biggest reason why fasting works as means to detox is because most of your toxins gets stored in your fat. If you follow how a fast works and what happens to your body during a fast (see below), then you will notice that once you body goes through the sugar already in your blood stream, they start to use your stored fat as a measure for energy.

As you start to burn the fat, your liver and kidneys will process and eliminate the toxins that are released as you are burning your fat.

When you are on a fast, several things happen. Your body starts to make an adjustment from eating on a cycle to not eating on a cycle. I am going to go over how your body reacts to a fast so you can see the benefits.

-Day one on a fast-

The first day, your body is burning glycogen or sugar. After this, it starts to burn fat as fuel to keep on keeping on. The only exception is the brain, which requires blood sugar.

-Day Two on a fast-

The second day, your body may break down some muscle tissue into amino acids. This is in turn converted by your liver into glucose to feed the brain.

-Day Three on a fast-

It is usually between day 2-3 when you body goes into a state of ketosis. Ketosis is what most people who go on diets want to be because in this state, the liver converts stored fat into ketones so that the brain, heart and muscles can be fed energy.

This is also usually the day when you will start to lose your hunger pains and start to have a sense of keen awareness. You will also have increased energy, strangely enough and your mind will be clearer.

At this stage, you will most likely be losing 1-2 pounds a day (although I don't advocate fasting as a weight loss measure.

How long should you fast?

Most people who fast to detoxify the body usually do what is known as a 3 day fast. Many homeopathic doctors suggest 4 fasts a year..once for each season. At the very least, you should fast once a year during spring to help cleanse the body of toxic buildup from the winter (which is typically when we are least active and have build up the most weight).

But really, the length of a fast really depends on you and your current health. The healthier you are, the longer you can fast.

The most basic fast is the water fast and it is only recommended if you are in good health or have tried fasting before. It is the most aggressive of all fasts because your body will enter ketosis quickly. During this fast, you should be consuming at least 80 ounces of purified water per day to help with the elimination process.

The most popular fast is juice fasting. It is made for people who either have never tried fasting as a way to detox or professionals that can't take the time out in their lives for a more intense fast. The one downside to a juice fast is that the sugars from vegetables and fruits prevent ketosis from happening. The recommended amount of juice you should consume is 64 ounces daily and you can mix it with purified water.

Closing thoughts on how to detoxify

Fasting is absolutely the best way to detoxify your body. However, this said, you shouldn't go overboard. Anyone who decides to fast longer than 3 days should do so with doctor approval. People with blood-sugar problems, like diabetes or hypoglycemia, should always see a doctor first.

Possible side effects you may experience when fasting

There are also some side effects you may experience during a fast. These can include fatigue or headach, skin rash, or a feeling like you a cold or the flu is coming on. This is pretty common. Remember, you are detoxing your body and your body is probably overloaded with toxic buildup. These symptoms typically will come during the first day of the fast but will start to diminish as the fast progresses.