RELIGIOUS FASTING @ WIKIPEDIA.ORG

Bahá'í faith

Main article: Nineteen Day Fast
In the Bahá'í Faith, fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset
during the Bahá'í month of `Ala' (between March 2 through March 20).
Bahá'u'lláh established the guidelines in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. It is
the complete abstaining from both food and drink (including
abstaining from smoking). Observing the fast is an individual
obligation, and is binding on all Bahá'ís who have reached the age
of maturity, which is fifteen years of age. You found a secret!

Along with obligatory prayer, it is one of the greatest obligations
of a Bahá'í. The Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith, Shoghi Effendi,
explains: "It is essentially a period of meditation and prayer, of
spiritual recuperation, during which the believer must strive to
make the necessary readjustments in his inner life, and to refresh
and reinvigorate the spiritual forces latent in his soul. Its
significance and purpose are, therefore, fundamentally spiritual in
character. Fasting is symbolic, and a reminder of abstinence from
selfish and carnal desires."

Buddhism

Buddhist monks and nuns following the Vinaya rules commonly do not
eat each day after the noon meal, though many orders today do not
enforce this. This is not considered a fast, but rather a
disciplined regime aiding in meditation. Fasting is generally
considered by Buddhists as a form of asceticism and as such is
rejected as a deviation from the Middle way. However, the Vajrayana
practice of Nyung Ne is based on the tantric practice of Chenrezig.
It is said that Chenrezig appeared to Gelongma Palmo, an Indian nun
who had contracted leprosy and was on the verge of death. Chenrezig
taught her the method of Nyung Ne in which one keeps the eight
precepts on the first day, then refrains from both food and water on
the second. Although seemingly against the Middle Way, this practice
is to experience the negative karma of both oneself and all other
sentient beings and, as such, is seen to be of benefit. Other self-
inflicted harm is discouraged.

Christianity

The "acceptable fast" is discussed in the biblical Book of Isaiah,
chapter 58:3-7, and is discussed metaphorically. In essence, it
means to abstain from satisfying hunger or thirst, and any other
lustful needs we may yearn for. The blessings gained from this are
claimed to be substantial. Christian denominations that practice
this acceptable fast often attest to the spiritual principles
surrounding fasting and seek to become a testament to those
principles. They often cite Jesus, who discussed a particular type
of demon as being exorcisable "only by fasting and prayer". The
opening chapter of the Book of Daniel, vv. 8-16, describes a partial
fast and its effects on the health of its observers. Fasting is a
practice in several Christian denominations or other churches. Other
Christian denominations do not practice it, seeing it as a merely
external observance, but many individual believers choose to observe
fasts at various times at their own behest, and the Lenten fast
observed in Anglicanism is a forty day partial fast to commemorate
the fast observed by Christ during his temptation in the desert.

Biblical accounts of fasting

Moses fasted for forty days and forty nights while he was on the
mountain with God. (Exodus 34:28)
King David fasted when the son of his adulterous union with
Bathsheba was struck sick by God, in punishment for the adultery and
for David's murder of Bathsheba's husband, Uriah the Hittite.
Nevertheless, the son died, upon which David broke his fast (2
Samuel 12:15-25).
King Jehosaphat proclaimed a fast throughout Judah for victory over
the Moabites and Ammonites who were attacking them (2 Chronicles
20:3).
The prophet Isaiah chastised the Israelites in Isaiah 58 for the
unrighteous methods and motives of their fasting. He clarified some
of the best reasons for fasting and listed both physical and
spiritual benefits that would result.[1]
The prophet Joel called for a fast to avert the judgement of God.
The people of Nineveh in response to Jonah's prophecy, fasted to
avert the judgement of God (Jonah 3:7).
The Pharisees in Jesus' time fasted regularly, and asked Jesus why
his disciples did not. Jesus answered them using a parable (Luke
5:33-39).
Jesus also warned against fasting to gain favor from men. He warned
his followers that they should fast in private, not letting others
know they were fasting (Matthew 6:16–18).
Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights while in the desert,
prior to the three temptations (Matthew 4:2, Luke 4:2).
Jesus said : Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and
fasting. (Matthew 17:21)
And he (Jesus) said unto them (disciples), This kind can come forth
by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. (Mark 9:29)
The prophetess Anna, who proclaimed the birth of Jesus in the
Temple, fasted regularly (Luke 2:37).
There are indications in the New Testament as well as from the
Apocryphal Didache that members of the early Christian Church fasted
regularly.

Denominations and groups

Charismatic

For Charismatic Christians fasting is undertaken at the leading of
God. Fasting is done in order to seek a closer intimacy with God, as
well as an act of petition. Some take up a regular fast of one or
two days a week as a spiritual observance. Holiness movements, such
as those started by John Wesley, Charles Wesley, and George
Whitefield in the early days of Methodism, often practice such
regular fasts as part of their regimen.

Eastern Orthodox Church

Main article: Eastern Orthodoxy: Fasting
For Orthodox Christians, there are four fasting seasons, which
include Nativity Fast, Great Lent, Apostles' Fast and Dormition Fast.

Wednesdays and Fridays are also fast days throughout the year (with
the exception of fast-free periods). In some Orthodox monasteries,
Mondays are also observed as fast days (Mondays are dedicated to the
holy Angels, and monasticism is called the "angelic life").

Fasting during these times also includes abstention from animal
products (meat and often fish), olive oil (or all oils, according to
some Orthodox traditions), and wine (which is interpeted as
including all alcoholic beverages).

Fasting can take up a significant portion of the calendar year. The
idea is not to suffer, but to use the experience to come closer to
God, to realize one's excesses, and to engage in almsgiving. Fasting
without increased prayer and almsgiving (donating to a local
charity, or directly to the poor, depending on circumstances) is
considered useless or even spiritually harmful by many Orthodox
Christians.

Those desiring to receive Holy Communion keep a total fast from all
food and drink from midnight the night before.

Certain festal periods are fast-free, meaning that fasting is
forbidden, even on Wednesdays and Fridays (though fasting before
Holy Communion is never relaxed, except for health reasons). These
periods are:

The 12 days from the Nativity of Christ to Theophany (Epiphany)
The week following Pascha (Easter)—and during the 50 days from
Easter Sunday to Pentecost, the fasting laws are lessened, wine and
oil being permitted even on Wednesdays and Fridays
The week following Pentecost

Oriental Orthodox Churches

Main article: Coptic abstinence
With exception of the Fifty days following Easter in the Coptic
Orthodox Church fish is not allowed during Lent , Wednesdays,
Fridays and Baramon days. Other than that Fish and Shellfish are
allowed during Fasting days.

The discipline of fasting entails that apart from Saturdays, Sundays
and Holy feasts should keep a total fast from all food and drink
from midnight the night before to a certain time in the day usually
Three O'clock in the afternoon (The hour Jesus died on the Cross) ,
Also it is preferred to practice the reduction of one's daily intake
of food (typically, by eating only one full meal a day).

Protestant churches

In Protestantism, the continental Reformers criticized fasting as a
purely external observance that can never gain a person salvation.
The Swiss Reformation of the "Third Reformer" Huldrych Zwingli began
with an ostentatious public sausage-eating during Lent.

On the other hand, churches of the Anglican Communion and some
American Protestant denominations, such as the United Methodist
Church, affected by liturgical renewal movements encourage fasting
as part of both Lent and Advent, two penitential seasons of the
Liturgical Year.

Likewise, Lutheran churches encourage fasting during lent. They also
encourage it before partaking in the Eucharist, as Luther writes in
his Small Catechism: Who, then, receives such Sacrament worthily?
Fasting and bodily preparation is, indeed, a fine outward training;
but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these
words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins.[citation
needed]

Other Protestants consider fasting, usually accompanied by prayer,
to be an important part of their personal spiritual experience,
apart from any liturgical tradition.

Roman Catholicism

Main article: Fasting and Abstinence in the Roman Catholic Church
For Roman Catholics, fasting is the reduction of one's intake of
food to one full meal (which may not contain meat during lent, only
fish) and two small meals (known liturgically as collations, taken
in the morning and the evening). Eating solid food between meals is
not permitted. Fasting is required of the faithful on specified
days. Complete abstinence is the avoidance of meat for the entire
day. Partial abstinence prescribes that meat be taken only once
during the course of the day. To some Roman Catholics, fasting still
means consuming nothing but water.

Pope Pius XII had initially relaxed some of the regulations
concerning fasting in 1956. In 1966, Pope Paul VI in his apostolic
constitution Paenitemini, changed the strictly regulated Catholic
fasting requirements. He recommended that fasting be appropriate to
the local economic situation, and that all Catholics voluntarily
fast and abstain. In the United States, there are only two
obligatory days of fast - Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The Fridays
of Lent are days of abstinence: those observing the practice may not
eat meat. Pastoral teachings since 1966 have urged voluntary fasting
during Lent and voluntary abstinence on the other Fridays of the
year. The regulations concerning such activities do not apply when
the ability to work or the health of a person would be negatively
affected.

Prior to the changes made by Pius XII and Paul VI, fasting and
abstinence were more strictly regulated. The church had prescribed
that Catholics observed fasting and/or abstinence on a number of
days throughout the year.

In addition to the fasts mentioned above, Catholics must also
observe the Eucharistic Fast, which involves taking nothing but
water and medicines into the body for some time before receiving the
Eucharist during the Mass. The ancient practice was to fast from
midnight until Mass that day, but as Masses after noon and in the
evening became common, this was soon modified to fasting for three
hours. Current law under Vatican II requires merely one hour of
eucharistic fast, although some Catholics still abide by the older
rules.

Latter-day Saints

Latter-day Saint fasting is total abstinence from food and water.
Adherents are encouraged to fast totally for two consecutive meal
times once a month, and the first Sunday of the month is usually
designated a Fast Sunday; some Latter-day Saints who observe the
monthly fast begin the Saturday before this day by not partaking of
the Saturday evening meal. Others abstain from breakfast and lunch
on Fast Sunday. The importance should be placed on the attitude of
one fasting, rather than on a legalistic debate over how long the
fast should continue. The money saved by not having to purchase and
prepare meals is to be donated to the church as a fast offering,
which is to be used to help people in need. LDS President Gordon B.
Hinckley asked: "What would happen if the principles of fast day and
the fast offering were observed throughout the world[?] The hungry
would be fed, the naked clothed, the homeless sheltered. … A new
measure of concern and unselfishness would grow in the hearts of
people everywhere." ("The State of the Church," Ensign, May 1991, 52–
53.)

Sunday worship meetings on Fast Sunday include opportunities for
church members to publicly express thanks and to bear their
testimony of faith.

Because fasting involves exercising control of the physical body,
subjugating it to the mind, many Latter-day Saints consider fasting
a way to focus on the spiritual body, and use it in connection with
prayer to make it more meaningful.

Hinduism

Fasting is a very integral part of the Hindu religion. Individuals
observe different kinds of fasts based on personal beliefs and local
customs. Some are listed below-

Some Hindus fast on certain days of the month such as Ekadasi (the
eleventh day of each lunar fortnight) or Purnima (full moon).
Certain days of the week are also set aside for fasting depending on
personal belief and favorite deity.
Thursday fast is very common in Hindu Religion of north India. On
Thursday devotees listen to a story before breaking their fast. On
the Thursday fast devotees also worship Vrihaspati Mahadeva or
Jupiter. They wear yellow clothes and shower yellow flowers. Meals
with yellow colour are preferred. Women worship the banana tree and
water it. Food items are made with yellow-coloured cows ghee.
Fasting during religious festivals is also very common. Common
examples are Shivaratri or the 9 days of Navratri (which occurs
twice a year in the months of April and October/November during
Dussera just before Diwali, as per the Hindu Calendar). Karwa Chauth
is perhaps a form of fasting unique to the northern part of India
where married women undertake a fast for the well-being, prosperity,
and longevity of their husbands. The Fast is broken after the wife
views the moon through a sieve after sunset.
Methods of fasting also vary widely and cover a broad spectrum. If
followed strictly, the person fasting does not partake any food or
water from the previous day's sunset until 48 minutes after the
following day's sunrise. Fasting can also mean limiting oneself to
one meal during the day and/or abstaining from eating certain food
types and/or eating only certain food-types. In any case, even if
the fasting Hindu is non-vegetarian, he/she is not supposed to eat
or even touch any animal products (i.e. meat, eggs)on a day of
fasting. And fasting is also mean one whole day (for those people
can take) from morning until night of until the next day too, with
no food and water, or can breakfast in the evening with water, milk
and fruits too.

Islam

Main article: Sawm
In Islam, fasting for a month is an obligatory practice during the
holy month of Ramadan, from fajr (dawn), until maghrib (sunset).
Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging
in sexual intercourse while fasting. Fasting in the month of Ramadan
is one of the Pillars of Islam, and thus one of the most important
acts of Islamic worship. By fasting, whether during Ramadan or other
times, a Muslim draws closer to their Lord by abandoning the things
they enjoy, such as food and drink. This makes the sincerity of
their faith and their devotion to God (Arabic:Allah) all the more
evident.

God says in the Qur'an that fasting was prescribed for those before
them (i.e., the Jews and Christians) and that by fasting a Muslim
gains 'taqwa', which can be described as the care taken by a person
to do everything God has commanded and to keep away from everything
that He has forbidden. Fasting helps prevent many sins and is a
shield with which the Muslim protects him/herself from jahannam
(hell).

Muslims believe that fasting is more than abstaining from food and
drink. It also includes abstaining from any falsehood in speech and
action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and
fighting, and lustful thoughts. Therefore, fasting helps develop
good behavior.

Fasting also inculcates a sense of fraternity and solidarity, as
Muslims feel and experience what their needy and hungry brothers and
sisters feel. However, even the poor, needy, and hungry participate
in the fast. Moreover, Ramadan is a month of giving charity and
sharing meals to break the fast together.

While fasting in the month of Ramadan is considered wajib
(obligatory), Islam also prescribed certain days for non-obligatory,
voluntary fasting, such as:

each Monday and Thursday of a week
the 13th, 14th, and 15th day of each lunar month
six days in the month of Shawwal (the month following Ramadan)
the Day of Arafat (9th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic (Hijri)
calendar)
the Day of Ashuraa (10th of Muharram in the Islamic (Hijri)
calendar), with one more day of fasting before or after it

Jainism

There are many types of fasting in Jainism. One is called Chauvihar
Upwas, in which no food or water may be consumed until sunrise the
next day. Another is called Tivihar Upwas, in which no food may be
consumed, but boiled water is allowed. Fasting is usually done
during Paryushana but can be done during other times. If one fasts
for the eight days of Paryushana, it is called Atthai. Also, it is
common for Jains not to fast but only to limit their intake of food.
When a person only eats lentils and tasteless food with salt and
pepper as the only spices, the person is said to do Ayambil. This is
supposed to decrease desire and passion. Self-starvation by fasting
is known as Sallekhana and is supposed to help shed karma according
to Jain philosophy. Another form of fasting is Santhara , the Jain
religious ritual of voluntary death by fasting. Supporters of the
practice believe that Santhara cannot be considered suicide, but
rather something one does with full knowledge and intent, while
suicide is viewed as emotional and hasty. Due to the prolonged
nature of Santhara, the individual is given ample time to reflect on
his or her life. The vow of Santhara is taken when one feels that
one's life has served its purpose. The goal of Santhara is to purify
the body and, with this, the individual strives to abandon desire.

Judaism

Main article: Ta'anit
Fasting for Jews means completely abstaining from food and drink,
including water. Taking medication, or even brushing teeth is
forbidden on the major fast days of Yom Kippur and Tisha B'Av (See
below), but permitted on minor fast days. Observant Jews fast on six
days of the year. With the exception of Yom Kippur, fasting is never
permitted on Shabbat, for the commandment of keeping Shabbat is
biblically ordained and overrides the later rabbinically-instituted
fast days. Yom Kippur is the only fast day which is explicitly
stated in the Torah.

Yom Kippur is considered to be the most important day of the Jewish
year and fasting as a means of repentance is mandatory for every
Jewish man and boy above the age of bar mitzvah and every Jewish
woman and girl above the age of bat mitzvah. It is so vital to fast
on this day, that only the very sick and women who have just given
birth may be given a dispension from a rabbi. Fasting on Yom Kippur
is considered more important than the prayers of this holy day. If
one fasts, even if one is at home in bed, one is considered as
having participated in the full religious service. In addition to
fasting and prayer, Yom Kippur--as the "Sabbath of the Sabbaths" has
the same restrictions regarding "work" as the Sabbath. Carrying
outside of the home, using electricity, cooking, riding in a car,
using the telephone, writing, etc. are all forbidden. No leather
shoes are worn on this day. Men wear a white gown over their
clothes, symbolic of a burial shroud on this Day of Judgement. Women
often wear a large white scarf over their heads and do not put on
make-up or Jewelry. The aura of the day is serious, humble, sacred
and repentant yet happy in the knowledge that sincere repentance
brings redemption.

The second major day of fasting is Tisha B'Av, the day nearly 2000
years ago on which the Romans destroyed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem
and the Jews were banished from their homeland. Tisha B'Av ends a
period of nine days in which Jews do not participate in happy
events, wash clothes, eat meat except on the Sabbath, cut hair or
swim. In general, these nine days and to some extent the entire
three weeks before Tisha B'Av are considered a time of danger for
Jews. Historically, this timeframe has been ripe with persecutions
and other tragic events. Unlike the fast of Yom Kippur, there are no
restrictions on activities, although one should try to avoid doing
regular work the first part of the day, sit in a low chair or on the
floor, and wear no leather shoes. This is also the day when Orthodox
Jews remember the many tragedies which have befallen the Jewish
people, including the Holocaust. The atmosphere of this holiday is
serious and deeply sad.

Both of these holy days are considered major fasts and are observed
from sunset to sunset the following day by both men and women. The
remaining four fasts are considered minor and fasting is only
observed from sunrise to sunset. Men must observe them, and women
should observe them, but a rabbi may often give dispensions if the
fast represents too much of a hardship to a sick or weak person.

The minor fast days are:

The Fast of Gedaliah
The Fast of the 10th of Tevet
The Fast of the 17th of Tammuz,
The Fast of Esther, which takes place immediately before Purim
Additional fast days such as the Fast of the Firstborn, which only
applies to first-born sons; family-instituted fasts in remembrance
of a miraculous delivery from tragedy, which only apply to certain
families or to certain regions; communal fasts in the face of
impending calamity in order to arouse benevolence from the Heavens;
or personal fasts as a means of repentance are not undertaken by the
entire Jewish community.

On the two major fast days it is also forbidden to engage in any
sexual relations, wash or bathe, apply cosmetics or creams, and even
wear leather shoes, which are considered a symbol of extravagance.
Partial or total exemptions apply in many cases for those who are
ill, those for whom fasting would pose a medical risk, pregnant
women, and nursing mothers. Those who would be endangered from
fasting are forbidden to do so, as endangering one's life is against
a core principle of Judaism.

Aside from these official days of fasting, Jews may take upon
themselves personal or communal fasts, often to seek repentance in
the face of tragedy or some impending calamity. For example, a fast
is observed if the scrolls of the Torah are dropped. The length of
the fast varies, and some Jews will reduce the length of the fast
through tzedakah, or charitable acts.

Purpose of fasting in Judaism

Judaism views three essential potential purposes of fasting, and a
combination of some or all of these could apply to any given fast.
One purpose in fasting is the achievement of atonement for sins and
omissions in Divine service. Fasting is not considered the primary
means of acquiring atonement; rather, sincere regret for and
rectification of wrongdoing is key (see Isaiah, 58:1-13, which
appropriately is read as the haftorah on Yom Kippur).

Nevertheless, fasting is conducive to atonement, for it tends to
precipitate contrition in the one who fasts (see Joel, 2:12-18).
This is why the Bible requires fasting (lit. self affliction) on Yom
Kippur (see Leviticus, 23:27,29,32; Numbers, 29:7; Tractate Yoma,
8:1; ibid. (Babylonian Talmud), 81a). Because, according to the
Hebrew Bible, hardship and calamitous circumstances can occur as a
result of wrongdoing (see, for example, Leviticus, 26:14-41),
fasting is often undertaken by the community or by individuals to
achieve atonement and avert catastrophe (see, for example, Esther,
4:3,16; Jonah, 3:7). Most of the Talmud's Tractate Ta'anit ("Fast
[s]") is dedicated to the protocol involved in declaring and
observing fast days.

The second purpose in fasting is commemorative mourning. Indeed,
most communal fast days that are set permanently in the Jewish
calendar fulfil this purpose. These fasts include: Tisha B'Av,
Seventeenth of Tammuz, Tenth of Tevet (all of the three dedicated to
mourning the loss of the destroyed Temple in Jerusalem), and Fast of
Gedaliah. The purpose of a fast of mourning is the demonstration
that those fasting are impacted by and distraught over earlier loss.
This serves to heighten appreciation of that which was lost. This is
in line with Isaiah (66:10), who indicates that mourning over a loss
leads to increased happiness upon return of the loss:

Be glad with Jerusalem, and exult in her, all those who love her;
rejoice with her in celebration, all those [who were] mourners over
her.
The third purpose in fasting is commemorative gratitude. Since food
and drink are corporeal needs, abstinence from them serves to
provide a unique opportunity for focus on the spiritual. Indeed, the
Midrash explains that fasting can potentially elevate one to the
exalted level of the Mal'achay HaSharait (ministering angels)
(Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer, 46). This dedication is considered
appropriate gratitude to God for providing salvation. Additionally,
by refraining from such basic physical indulgence, one can more
greatly appreciate the dependence of humanity on God, leading to
appreciation of God's benificience in sustaining His creations.
Indeed, Jewish philosophy considers this appreciation one of the
fundamental reasons for which God endowed mankind with such basic
physical needs as food and drink. This is seen from the text of the
blessing customarily recited after consuming snacks or drinks:

You are the Source of all blessing, O' Eternal One, our God, King of
the universe, Creator of many souls, who gave [those souls] needs
for all that which You created, to give life through them to every
living soul. Blessed is the Eternal Life-giver.

Sikhism

Sikhism is probably the only major organised world religion that
does not promote fasting except for medical reasons. The Sikh Gurus
discourage the devotee from engaging in this ritual as it is
considered to "brings no spiritual benefit to the person". The Sikh
holy Scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib tell us: "Fasting, daily
rituals, and austere self-discipline - those who keep the practice
of these, are rewarded with less than a shell."(SGGS page 216). So
most Sikhs have never undertaken a fast of any kind.

Medical fasting

People can also fast for medical reasons, which has been an accepted
practice for many years. One reason is to prepare for surgery or
other procedures that require anesthetic. Because the presence of
food in a person's system can cause complications during anesthesia,
medical personnel strongly suggest that their patients fast for
several hours (or overnight) before the procedure.

Another reason for medical fasting is for certain medical tests,
such as cholesterol testing (lipid panel). People are often asked to
fast so that a baseline can be established. In the case of
cholesterol, the failure to fast for a full 12 hours (including
vitamins) will guarantee an elevated Triglyceride measurement.

A longer fast for health reasons typically lasts a week or longer
and includes some food intake, such as fruit or vegetable juices, as
part of a detox diet.

Some doctors believe that pure water fasting can not only detoxify
cells and rejuvenate organs, but can actually cure [2] such diseases
and conditions as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis,
asthma, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, colitis, psoriasis,
lupus and some other autoimmune disorders when combined with a
healthy diet. They believe that "Fasting is Nature's Restorer."[3]

Recent studies on mice show that fasting every other day while
eating double the normal amount of food on non-fasting days led to
improved insulin and blood sugar control, neuronal resistance to
injury, and health indicators superior to mice on 40% calorie
restricted diets.[4][5] This may mean that alternate-day fasting is
an alternative to caloric restriction for life extension. However,
as yet there have been no controlled studies on the effects of this
kind of fasting on human lifespan.

People who feel they are near the end of their life sometimes
consciously refuse food or water. The term in the medical literature
is patient refusal of nutrition and hydration. Contrary to popular
impressions, published studies[6] indicate that "within the context
of adequate palliative care, the refusal of food and fluids does not
contribute to suffering among the terminally ill", and might
actually contribute to a comfortable passage from life: "At least
for some persons, starvation does correlate with reported euphoria."

In natural medicine, fasting is seen as a way of cleansing the body
of toxins, dead or diseased tissues, and giving the gastro-
intestinal system a rest. Such fasts are either water-only, or
consist of fruit and vegetable juices. Some results have been
achieved while including fasting in the treatment of some kinds of
cancer,[7] autoimmune diseases,[8]and allergies.[9]

Common terms used in research are: reduced diet therapy (RDT),
Fasting Therapy (FT) and caloric restriction. Research tends to
originate from Russia, Japan and Germany.

Ayurveda describes fasting therapy as langhana which is an important
treatment tool used with other therapeutic methods like heat therapy
and oil therapy.

Physiological effects of fasting

See Famine response for the body's energy requirements and the
changes in energy metabolism induced by fasting.

When food is not eaten, the body looks for other ways to find
energy, such as drawing on glucose from the liver's stored glycogen
and fatty acids from stored fat and eventually moving on to vital
protein tissues. Body, brain and nerve tissue depend on glucose for
metabolism. Once the glucose is significantly used up, the body's
metabolism changes, producing ketone bodies (acetoacetate,
hydroxybutyrate, and acetone). Even where this transition to
alternative forms of energy has been made, some parts of the brain
still require glucose, and protein is still needed to produce it. If
body protein loss continues, death will ensue.