spadreams guide - fasting

Fasting

Fasting brings new experiences and provides a fundamental re-tuning of the entire system of body, mind and soul.

A Moving Experience

Contents

FASTING – WHAT IS IT ? pg. 2

Fasting - What Is It?

Effects of Fasting

TYPES OF FASTING in General pg. 3

TYPES OF FASTING in Detail pg. 4

THE RIGHT TREATMENT pg. 8

What Is the Right Treatment?

Discover SpaDreams Worlds Beyond Fasting

Guidelines on Fasting

The generic term, “fasting” represents a variety of therapeutic methods. The methods share a common denominator that is the voluntary renunciation of solid food for a limited period of time.As a result, the body switches to a “nutrition from the inside” and activates the inner self-healing. The body is detoxified and purified; the metabolism is stimulated. You gain energy as fat reserves are depleted and the body can regenerate.

SpaDreams Fasting Guidebook

SpaDreams - Fasting Guidebook1

Fasting - What is it?

Fasting is a conscious, partial or total abstinence from solid food for a certain period of time. A therapeutic fasting means fasting which should contribute to better well-being or improved health. In addition to some older types of treat-ment and fasting, numerous medical forms have become established in the 20th century with the aim of purification and regeneration of body and soul. They all have in common that they require several days of preparation, a targeted bowel evacuation and about three litres of fluid intake daily. Previous or concomitant medical examinations minimize potential health risks. The end of the therapeutic fasting, which used to be called fast-break, is carefully designed.

Effects of Fasting

After a day or two of food deprivation, the body switches to the so-called starvation response. As little energy as possible is consumed. To cover the energy needs, the organism relies on its energy reserves in the form of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. For example, about 150 g of body fat is broken down daily from the fatty tissue into fatty acids and glycerol.

As a result, a fasting person loses an average of about 400 grams per day. If not supplied additionally, however, primarily protein and thus muscle substance also get broken down. In a short fasting, however, this loss can almost be compen-sated in a short time. A further consequence of the excited metabolic processes is the formation of acetone, recognizab-le by oral and body odour.

Furthermore, water retention gets reduced and the func-tions of liver, kidney, stomach, intestines and lungs return to normal. In cases of prolonged fasting, the body releases endorphins in order to make the “hunger” phase bearable. Fasting can help relieve many chronic diseases in addition to providing outer benefits as well: the skin is smoother and it looks fresher and healthier overall.

However, fasting that lasts over several weeks also has the po-tential to attack the heart muscle. Some doctors see fasting as a strenuous activity and recommend it, therefore, if at all, only after consultation with a physician.

In order to guarantee professional assistance and to be able to take maximum advantage of the sufficient time on one hand and, on the other hand, have peace and quiet and addi-tional treatments (e.g. massages), there is the opportunity to carry out fasting treatment in a specialized health clinic or in an appropriate hotel.

Fasting - What Is It?

SpaDreams - Fasting Guidebook 2

Types of Fasting in General

• Buchinger‘s Therapeutic Fasting

This fasting method is most commonly used. The body should be slowly detoxified. Its focus is on a base-only drink of vegetable broth and juices and a rich diet. It combines the purification of the intestines by means of individual elements of other fasting methods. It promotes recirculation aids.

• F.X. Mayr‘s Fasting

The basis is the “milk-bread diet”. Based on three principles of protection, cleansing and training, it seeks a long-term bowel cleansing.

• Traditional Schroth Therapy

It is characterized by the alternation of drinking water and ha-ving dry days. Another important component in this therapy is the use of moist wrapping.

• Juice Fasting

Only fruit and vegetable juices are consumed.

• Fruit Fasting

Only fruits, vegetables, herbs and nuts are consumed.

• Whey Fasting

One litre of whey, half a litre of fruit juice and three litres of still water are consumed throughout the day.

•Tea Fasting

Only water and tea is consumed. This extreme form of fasting is recommended by doctors and, in the specialized literature, only for perfectly healthy people.

• Metabolic Balance®

It is a holistic approach to weight regulation; at the elaborati-on of an individual. In total, a fasting person loses on aver-age about 400 grams per day. If not supplied additionally, however, protein and thus muscle substance get primarily broken down. In a short time, however, this loss can almost be compensated. A further consequence of the excited me-tabolic processes is the formation of acetone, recognizable by oral and body odour. Diet plan is the focus.

• Detox Treatment

The body should be detoxified slowly. A diet rich in bases is paramount. Individual elements of other fasting methods are combined.

Types of Fasting in General


Types of Fasting in Detail

Buchinger‘s Therapeutic Fasting

Otto Buchinger (1878-1966) was a German physician and the founder of the Buchinger therapeutic fasting. Buchinger explained that the effectiveness of therapeutic fasting is to clean the organism and activate self-healing powers. He coin-ed the term “purification”. During the Buchinger therapeutic fasting, the body is fed with vegetable broth and juices which have a small amount of calories, vitamins and minerals. The fasting starts with some relief days. During this time the body is prepared for fasting with only light food on the menu.With complete bowel evacuation, then starts the actual fasting.

During a specified period, usually five days, three litres of fluid are added over the day: in the morning in the form of herbal tea, at lunch with vegetable juices or broth, and the post-noon options are herbal tea and mineral water. In the evening, fruit juices or vegetable broth are taken to replace the meal. In addition, it is recommended to play sports during fasting days. In order to bring about an inner peace, stress and hectic scheduling should be avoided during fasting. Meditation techniques such as yoga help bring body and soul into harmony.

Fasting is completed with the so-called fast-breaking. Gradu-ally, the body becomes accustomed again to solid food inta-ke, first with an apple and vegetable stock. Then, the set-up days are to follow. These include massages, contrast showers and a light and sensible diet. Through several studies, it has been shown that a substantial improvement of the general condition has occurred in about 80 percent of participants after fasting.

F.X. Mayr‘s Fasting

The F.X. Mayr therapy is a method of health promotion and “purification”, named after its inventor Franz Xaver Mayr (1875-1965). He was, among other things, a spa physician in Styria, in Karlsbad and Vienna. His therapy was known as the “milk-bread regimen”.

The main objective is the “rehabilitation” of the intestine, in the sense of restoration of complete digestive function. The therapy is based on three principles that should contri-bute to a long-term gut renovation:

1.Protection By fasting, the digestive system is to be spared and relieved to promote regeneration.

2. Cleansing “Cleansing” is about the “purification” and “deacidification” of the digestive tract. It is done mostly by a daily morning intake of Glauber‘s salt or Epsom salt and can be supported by a drinking therapy of herbal tea, tap or bottled water.

3.TrainingThe training serves the careful training of organs and their “re-upgrading”. A special emphasis is attributed to the practice of thorough mastication and conscious eating.

A subsequent abdominal massage activates the contraction of the bowels and the function of the liver and pancreas, dee-pening breathing and stimulating the circulation of blood and lymph. It is an integral part of the FX Mayr therapy.



The course of such a treatment can be divided into three phases. The first phase is used to clean the bowels. A diet of tea and water and taking Epsom salts help the course. After-wards, the “milk-bread-treatment” is utilized. In the morning, a dry bread roll is consumed. Every bite is very thoroughly chewed and then swallowed with a small amount of milk. The temporary monotony of the diet is to help the organism, after some time, to fully digest a natural diet. In addition, the dry bread rolls serve to train thorough chewing and stimulate salivation which is extremely important for digestion. The “mild discharge”, a low salt and fat intake and rich food base, finish the treatment. Sometimes during treatment, vitamins, trace elements, minerals and phytonutrients are given in the form of food supplements to prevent malnutrition.

Classic Schroth Therapies

The Schroth therapy was develped by Johann Schroth as a natural healing method. It is intended to stimulate self-hea-ling and has a positive impact as a holistic method to body, mind and soul. Schroth developed his treatment method in 1820 as a self-experiment after his knee was injured by a hor-se hoof kick and it remained stiff. He describes his experien-ce: “In moist heat thrive wood, fruit and wine, even flesh and bones”. Schroth observed that sick cattle refused food and

drank little and came up with the idea to apply this principle to sick people. That was the origin of the Schroth treatment. The main objective of this two- to three-week treatment is detoxification of the body. The principle of Schroth is based on the inner and outer “detoxification” and “purification” and is achieved by the combination of therapeutic fasting with external application of moist heat. Four Pillars support the concept:

1. The Schroth Diet The first part of the Schroth Treatment is a special diet. It is salt, protein and fat free. It is also important not to eat anything raw. Food should always be steamed or boiled. Fru-its should also be avoided. The first few days of this treatment are very difficult, but the iron discipline is rewarded, the body draws back on its reserves and the feeling of hunger disap-pears. 2. The Schroth Cold WrapsFor the purposes of Schroth cold wraps, the patient is gently awakened early in the morning, gets a cup of tea to drink and subsequently gets wrapped for about two hours. The naked body is then wrapped in a specially designed “packer” of cold wet towels and blankets and is then covered. After a short time, the dormant warm skin reacts to the cold and increases the flow of blood. Through the “package”, the pores open allowing the toxins to escape. After about half an hour, the body starts to sweat. By lacing, the heat stays in the “package”, the cold towels are transformed into a cosy, warm jacket and, in this way, an artificial fever is produced. After that, it is important to rest sufficiently. The Schroth cold wraps train the immune system of the body and utilize the artificial fever to kill bacteria.

3. The Schroth‘s Controlled Intake of Liquids The Schroth‘s controlled intake of liquids represents the ch-ange of drinking and dry days, i.e. days with a lot of and with a low fluid intake, which lifts your spirits. During the dry days,



fluid retention is drawn into the blood from the connective tissue, which can then be flushed out on drinking days th-rough the urine. In the treatment, mineral water, tea or juice is usually drunk. In some cases, a small amount of dry wine is consumed. The type and amount of liquid to be consumed is determined by the treating physician individually.

4. Movement and Rest The fourth pillar, also the alternation of motion and rest days, contributes to the well-being during treatment and supports detoxification. In line with the principle of drinking regulation, sufficient physical and mental relaxation should be ensured on dry days. On the other hand, moderate exercise on drin-king days helps to stimulate the metabolism and prevents the muscle degradation, especially the heart muscle.

The Juice Fasting

The phrase “juice fasting” refers to a special form of therapeu-tic fasting. For a limited time, only fruit and vegetable juices, tea and water are drunk. In combination with fitness exer-cises, improvement of personal health status is to be achie-ved. The juice fasting is usually performed to reduce weight. However, it is also an excellent method to deacidify the body. The focus is less on targeted treatment of medical problems, but rather on the regeneration and the improvement of general well-being. Advantages and main differences to other fasting types is that solid foods are completely omitted. However, a variety of vitamins and minerals will be included with fruit and vegetable juices.

A juice fasting treatment starts with some relief days when, for example, only rice and vegetables are eaten. Right in the early morning of the first day, a glass of Epsom salt solution is drunk to defecate. For fasting, freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices are recommended, but also organic juices from the supermarket. In mornings, at noon and evenings, the juices are diluted with water and drunk particularly slowly.

Every little sip of them is to be completely in-salivated to facilitate further digestion of nutrients. In addition, the body requires daily about three litres of water or herbal tea. As with most fasting programs, the first three days are particularly troublesome. Side effects such as headaches and weakness may accompany this phase. From the fourth day, however, the feeling of hunger diminishes. The juice fasting is a some-what milder form of strict water-tea-fasting, which is very difficult to manage for many people.



The Fruit Fasting

The fruit fasting is referred to as a modified form of therapeu-tic fasting. During the fruit fasting treatment, the diet consists exclusively of non-prepared fruits, vegetables, herbs and nuts. Followers argue that this diet serves to purify and detoxify the body and to regulate the acid-base balance. Dysfunctions in the acid-base balance of the body may lead to hyperacidity or hypoacidity and may have an adverse effect on health.

The Whey Fasting

During a whey treatment, one litre of whey is taken th-roughout the day. In addition, three litres of still water and a half pint of fruit juice are drunk. The body should take a minimum of vitamins, minerals and calories, promoting detoxification and purification while hungry. In addition, every morning a glass of plum juice or sauerkraut is drunk. This is to “clean” the gut and to help flush out pollutants from the body.

The Tea Fasting

In tea-fasting, solid food is also omitted, as is drinking juices. You drink only tea and water. This extreme form of fasting is only allowed or recommended for perfectly healthy people.

Metabolic Balance®

The diet concept, metabolic balance® comes from the US and was developed by doctors and nutritionists. It is a holistic program for permanent weight control based on a blood test. Based on this, an individual diet plan is created. It matches the personal “body chemistry” with the specific suitable “food chemistry” and will bring your metabolism into balance. Only those foods are consumed that are needed to meet the individual needs of nutrients.

The diet plan is thus geared towards the personal physical condition of the patient. The aim is to support a healthy metabolism and the regulation of weight. Certified per-sonnel advisers take care of the process. A steady setting of the body to a suitable healthy and balanced diet prevents the long-term common ailments of our society, especially when combined with appropriate exercise. The restoration of the natural nutritional balance causes the restoration of the natural body weight and balance. At the same time, the performance and concentration are increased. Results are also the reduction of body fat, better sleep and an increase of physical and mental powers.

The Detox Treatment

Detox treatments as recommended by US nutritionists, are becoming increasingly popular with us. They involve a thorough, yet gentle decontamination (detoxification) of the body. After a few days, the overall well-being increases. You feel more vital, sleep better and are more resistant to stress and infection, look fresh and relaxed. At the same time, body weight gets reduced. The detoxification program starts with bowel cleansing using saline salts, e.g. Epsom salt. This also helps the liver, the main organ of metabolism, effectively relieve. During the detox treatment, easily digestible food is consumed so that the organism can optimally detoxify. Especially sweets and beverages, such as coffee and alcohol,



are omitted. For thorough detoxing the body, the body is pro-vided with natural suppliers of alkalizing substances, such as fresh, lightly steamed vegetables. Raw food is omitted during the detox. It is more difficult for the body to metabolize and can easily lead to bloating. In addition to the alkaline-rich diet, the intake of alkaline-containing mineral supplements is recommended during the treatment. In case of strong hyperacidity, alkaline infusions may be administered. To support the liver, kidneys and lymphatic system in purifica-tion, herbal and homeopathic remedies can also be used. Milk thistle, dandelion and celandine are the classics for a thorough detoxification. Algae, coriander and wild garlic are a valuable aid in the elimination of heavy metals. Even fasting proven treatments, such as the warm, humid liver wrap, are used as part of the detox programme. Among others, yellow herbal teas such as nettle, yarrow or melissa tea are drunk. Red teas such as rosehip or fruit teas, however, are acidic and are avoided during detoxification.

What Is the Right Treatment?

In all fasting programs, from therapeutic fasting in clinic to juice fasting at home, everyone has to find out for them-selves which fasting program suits them best. It is important to make clear in the run-up, what the point of the fasting is. Fasting programs differ in their length and effect and in the type of food that is supplied to the body during this time. The suitability of fasting type depends ultimately on personal goals of the individual.

It is important, especially if you are fasting for the first time that you get professionally instructed, best by a fasting the-rapist or doctor. Let yourself be examined thoroughly before starting a fasting treatment by an experienced therapist or doctor. Discuss the various treatment procedures and check all medical support during the time. Without professional competence, fasting can quickly lead to health problems.

Discover SpaDreams Travel Worlds Beyond Fasting

WellnessLittle islands of relaxation: alone or with your partner, enjoy life and pamper yourself.

Ayurveda The knowledge of life regaining strength and the right balan-ce of the body. Find spirit and soul.

Treatments & HealthEstablished and up-to-date: active prevention and effective treatment for health problems.

Yoga & Qi GongMore energy for everyday life: physical exercise, aging tech-niques, concentration and meditation.

Fasting, Detox & Weight LossMind and body relief: elimination of excess ballast, detoxifica-tion, prevention, regeneration and boosting energy.

Beauty & Anti-AgeingNaturally beautiful: refresh your skin, your face, and tone your body.

The Right Treatment


spadreams guide - fasting

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