Therapeutic fasting - almost nothing or a lot?

What can therapeutic fasting do and what does it do for my skin?

Fasting is now not only found in a religious context, but nowadays fasting solid has become part of our everyday lives. Fasting as a health boost and as a therapy for various illnesses such as rheumatism, high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic conditions. So-called therapeutic fasting. There is talk of detoxification. A cleanser of the body and mind. The aim is to relieve the body and get to know it better, to find yourself.

But what's the truth? Who is fasting really suitable for? Who can and who should? What happens to the body and, above all, to the skin during the period of abstinence?

The fasting animal greets you every year

Even though the "official fasting period" hasn't started yet, I'm currently in a fasting phase myself. This is because I actually enter the world of teas and broths for a good week every year. Whenever I feel like it and I can fit it into my life. I would like to explain how fasting works, what you should look out for, how to take care of your skin while fasting and, above all, how to survive the time when everyone around you seems to be eating or talking about it! Our brain is usually particularly sneaky in such situations and directs our focus to the very things we are trying to avoid. Mean.

I've read a few articles, watched documentaries and scrolled through testimonials. Because this type of "diet" simply fascinates me every time. When I'm in the middle of it again, with a bowl of warm broth in front of me and remember how stupid I thought the first few days were last time, I usually can't help but feel proud. Proud of being able to simply leave out something as self-evident and automated as food with my will. To be independent of it. To show stamina and at the same time know that I am doing something good for myself. It has been medically proven that fasting has a positive effect on our cells. And I can feel it in my own body!

What is therapeutic fasting?

In very simple terms, fasting means abstaining from solid food. And for a limited period of time. You can fast for one day or 40, but the latter is carried out in facilities, spas and clinics supervised by doctors or specialist staff. There are various forms of fasting. The inventor of therapeutic fasting, Otto Buchinger, begins his cure with so-called relief days. These days prepare the body for the upcoming abstinence from food. This is followed by the actual fasting. Optionally only

with broth and tea or somewhat less drastically with additional vegetable and fruit juices. The aim is to provide the body with a maximum of 300 kcal in liquid form. And very important: drink enough! At least 2-3 liters of water, tea or broth should be consumed daily.

The initial bowel cleansing with enemas, laxative teas and juices or with the help of the fasting variant Glauber's and Epsom salts gives the starting signal for the fasting cure. Good bowel hygiene at the beginning can help the body to change its metabolism more quickly and thus prevent feelings of hunger. It enables the body to cope better with old burdens.

Breaking your fast is just as important. To avoid the yo-yo effect, start eating again slowly. Start with light meals and easily digestible foods. Keep the quantities small and gradually increase. Slow and deliberate are the key words here.

What happens in my body during fasting?

If you don't supply your body with sugar, fats and proteins from the outside, it switches to "fasting mode". What does that mean? After a day of fasting, your sugar reserves are used up and only protein and fat reserves are left. When this happens, your body goes on alert and releases various hormones. These hormones provide a variety of protective mechanisms that not only repair cell damage, but also protect the cell from future external attacks. Inflammation is alleviated and chronic pathological processes can be stopped.

It is a program in our genes that acts like a reset button and enables us to reset our body and our cells to "zero" and start again. Our body's response to abstaining from food takes place at various levels and the effects can therefore be felt in many areas.

What are the benefits of fasting for my well-being?

Fasting is good for you. For the body and especially for the mind. It really can provide more clarity, concentration and energy. After all, nutrition is a crucial factor when it comes to our health. Some might even say that it stands or falls with it.

Going without food does a lot to our body. It doesn't need this constant abundance. It is not designed for such a continuous supply of food. No, we often even cloud our brains with it. Fasting allows the body to focus its energy on other functions, detoxify the gut Cleanse and detoxify itself. So you stimulate your natural self-healing process.

I'm talking about the rule here. Because even if fasting is considered beneficial and has even found its way into cancer therapy, not everyone should just "go on a fast". And especially not without consulting a doctor!

Who is fasting suitable for?

So no matter why you want to fast: check beforehand whether your body can cope with it. For example, do you regularly take medication, suffer from chronic illnesses, depression or are you underweight? In such cases, it is always advisable to consult a doctor.

However, if you are basically healthy, you can also fast on your own for up to a week. You can also use the intermittent fasting method. This involves abstaining from food for up to 16 hours a day. Or you can fast all day for 1-2 days a week.

Fasting for healthy skin

And of course the question arises in the context of our undertaking: How does fasting affect my skin health? Yes, even here fasting can work wonders. We all know by now that the constitution of our skin has a lot to do with nutrition and healthy digestion. Our gut plays a major role in whether we struggle with blemishes or diseases such as neurodermatitis and psoriasis.

For example, eating a lot of sugary foods literally "sweetens" our skin. This is a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria, which become noticeable in inflammation and cause open, itchy and burning areas. People suffering from all kinds of skin diseases can therefore benefit greatly from fasting (under medical supervision).

Initially, fasting can also lead to an increase in impurities. Our skin is an excretory organ. Because our cells are spring-cleaning during the "zero phase", our body has to get rid of the "garbage" first. Stupid, but once you're through it, your skin can look much better.

As already described, fasting can help on various levels. Pressing the reset button is a very rewarding switch to a different diet and helps to alleviate inflammatory processes in the skin.

The right skin care during Lent

Even though it is more than important to drink plenty of fluids during fasting, this change can also affect the moisture content of your skin. In addition to blemishes, it can also lead to dryness.

To support the skin's detoxification process, you can take alkaline baths or stimulate your circulation with contrast showers and massages. A particularly thorough cleanser is now the be-all and end-all. Our junglück Cleansing Oil is very suitable here as it removes deposits and excretions from the skin while leaving its protective barrier intact. The skin does not feel tight after cleanser and is supplied with valuable nutrients at the same time.

As a general rule: expose your body to as little external stress as possible during this phase. No unnecessary chemicals. No additives. Your body is trying to Cleanse itself and therefore needs gentle and natural care. It is not only through our food, but also through our skin that we absorb substances that are not good for us.

As you probably already know, this is precisely why we have made it our mission to develop skincare products that only provide our skin with really important ingredients. We leave out everything that your skin doesn't need - not just during Lent, but actually never. For example, our organic plant-based oils, such as theAlmond- and Jojoba Oilfor example, nourish your skin without preventing it from breathing, allowing it to cleanse itself without being disturbed. The junglück products are therefore ideally suited to accompany fasting.

Conclusion

There are countless reasons to fast. And there are countless positive effects that set off a chain reaction in your body. You are not only influencing your physical condition - no, you can also help your mind and soul.

During this time, fasting people often talk about finding themselves and becoming calm. Grounded. A new direction for your own path is possible and opens up many perspectives. Decisions are suddenly very clear to you. I have read all this about fasting and have already seen it in my environment. Unfortunately, I have to admit that I have yet to experience these "enlightenment-like" moments. I still experience hunger pangs from time to time, as well as cravings.

Nevertheless, I always feel great after a fasting cure. I have more energy and feel clear-headed. I've even managed to get to grips with minor ailments such as joint pain or headaches. And as I said, I'm just incredibly proud every time afterwards! It really is an indescribable feeling of lightness. A sense of achievement.

Yes, all beginnings are difficult, but don't let that put you off. Hang in there, it's worth it!

Your Leonie

A small disclaimer: fasting is not suitable for losing weight. Sure, you'll lose weight, but you'll quickly put it back on again after the end of the cure. However, fasting is perfect for initiating a change in diet or allowing the body to rest for a while!