That fasting has health benefits is not widely known. No, not

only can it help in weight loss; it can help in the improvement

of the total function of the entire body system. It may sound

unbelievable but fasting could even cure diseases such as

colds, fever, cough and other stomach disorders. Some religious

sects regard fasting as holy, a sacrifice, voluntary abstinence

for religious reasons. But there is more to fasting than the

religious aspect. It was discovered years ago that it could

help improve a person’s health.

For colds, people normally resort to medicine. “Take something

for it”, is the usual attitude at the first sign of such

ailments (as with fever and coughs). However, there is an

alternate to cure those illnesses and that is through fasting –

at the advisable duration of three days.

As treatment for colds and coughs, try not eating anything for

three days. But take all the water you can take until your

pulse and body temperature returns to normal. Take a good long

rest in bed and after three days, you will feel like you’ve

never been sick.

To others, it may sound suicidal to go on a fasting when you

are already sick. Some may argue that you need to gain more

nourishment when you’re sick to recover easily. But the real

deal there is that a sick person is not really able to digest

food well. So there is no worry that the sick person would

become malnourished in the duration of the fasting. In fact it

is an advisable process to prevent more stomach indigestions.

Since a sick person could not digest food very well, there is a

big chance of acquiring stomach disorders.

The digestive system, just like any overworked motor, needs to

rest to prevent overheating. Oftentimes, stomach disorders are

mainly caused by overworked digestive system – basically due to

improper eating habits such as eating too fast and not chewing

your food sufficiently. Remember that your stomach doesn’t have

teeth so if you feed it with half-chewed food the digestive

system becomes overstressed as it has to work harder to digest

the food.

Fasting is also a good cleansing process for your digestive

system. It can prevent dyspepsia and would also help the liver

function very well. The beneficial effect of fasting is that it

gives the stomach needed rest from any digestive disorders. Just

do not forget to eat lightly after the three-day fast; don’t

splurge on food immediately. This will prepare your stomach to

a full meal without distressing the digestive system. Eat soft

foods in moderation.