Fasting And Juice Therapies
This treatment modality is used in place of conventional therapies to treat cancer. Seek advice from a qualified physician before replacing standard cancer therapy with fasting and juice therapies.
What do fasting and juice therapies involve?
Fasting, or voluntarily abstaining from food, and juice therapy, the consumption of certain fruit and vegetable juices instead of food, are believe by supporters to cleanse and detoxify the body internally. Fasting has long been practiced around the world as a part of religious beliefs to purify the soul. Only recently has fasting been thought to purify the physical body.
How are fasting and juice therapies thought to treat cancer?
Proponents believe that fasting or just consuming certain juices aids the body in cleansing itself of toxins and impurities. The immune system is believed by its supporters to work better, heal the body and get rid of poisons when the body's physiologic systems have a chance to rest. Juice can also provide nutrients and calories if a patient is unable to keep solid food down.
What has been proven about the benefit of fasting and juice therapies?
The American Cancer Society does not believe that detoxification by fasting is based on scientific fact, nor does it cure cancer. While short-term fasting does aid weight loss in the severely obese, there is no evidence that it can rid the body of toxins or aid in treatment of disease. The mainstream medical community states the denying the body of necessary nutrients and calories actually weakens the immune system, resulting in the deterioration, not improvement, of health. Patients with advanced cancer are encouraged to avoid fasting. While not a magic cure-all, juice can serve as a valuable nutritional supplement for cancer patients. Juice does not contain fiber, fat and protein and these need to ingested as well to maintain energy and reach optimum health.
What is the potential risk or harm of fasting and juice therapies?
Fasting and juice therapies can cause fatigue, anemia, dizziness and an irregular heartbeat. Supporters do not believe these are harmful symptoms. In fact, they view them as indicators of movement towards well-being and mental sharpness. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes can be aggravated by the ingestion of juices. Acidic citrus and tomato juices can irritate the stomach of sensitive patients.
How much do fasting and juice therapies cost?
Eating nothing or just juice is sure to cut back on one's grocery bill. Most treatments are self-help remedies and are performed at home. Occasionally, a physician might oversee the patient to ensure no additional health problems develop as a result of the therapy.
For additional information:
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102
Telephone: (877) 969-2267
Web site: www.naturopathic.org
Note: Information about therapies is intended to help you make informed choices, not to endorse any particular therapy. The information is courtesy of "Integrating Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Cancer Patients," a handbook written as an independent study project by Heather Morein. For more information, see the full text of the handbook (PDF), including all references and appendices.