Last week on 1st December, I wrote about Naturopathy. In this article, I mentioned various therapies like Diet therapy, Fasting therapy, Mud Therapy, Hydrotherapy, Massage therapy, Acupressure, Acupuncture, Chromo therapy, Air therapy, and Magnet therapy.
In today’s blog, I am writing about Diet and Fasting therapies.
DIET THERAPY
Diet is considered the key element of naturopathy treatment, here food is ‘The Medicine’. According to naturopathy, diet is one of the necessary components in managing any disease.
Naturopathy believes in the immense capacity of the body to heal itself with the right diet. In naturopathy, diet is specifically customised for individual patients for treatment, speedy recovery, and further maintenance. Naturopathy recommends, that all food should be taken in its fresh and natural form. Eating natural foods has cleansing and purifying effects on the body. Fresh food prepared using natural ingredients and simple cooking techniques ensures that the natural nutrition of the food is not lost.
Such a diet also helps in warding off diseases. A balanced diet should contain foods that are alkaline-rich. Acidic foods tend to build toxins in our bodies, which makes our bodies prone to various ailments. According to naturopathy, a balanced diet should comprise 20% of acidic and 80% of alkaline foods for maintaining good health. To make the pH of our blood more alkaline we need to increase the intake of foods that are rich in Vitamin B complex. Vitamin C helps the body to bounce back from stressful situations. Carbohydrates contain the neurotransmitter serotonin which induces a sense of well-being.
Types of Naturopathic Diets:
- Eliminative Diet- This diet is to get rid of all the morbid wastes accumulated in the digestive system. These are mostly toxic and are the root cause of most diseases. Juice and soups are administrated under this diet. This includes lemon juice, citric fruits, coconut water, vegetable soups, buttermilk, wheat-grass juice, etc.
- Soothing Diet- Consists of simple and easy-to-digest foods which are light on the stomach. Examples of soothing foods are fresh ripe fruits, salads, steamed vegetables, sprouts, vegetable chutney, etc.
- Constructive Diet- A wholesome diet is administrated which consists of foods prepared with whole wheat flour, unpolished rice, millet, pulses, sprouts, yogurt, etc.
All these diet therapies should be carried out under the guidance of naturopathy experts.
Fasting Therapy
It mainly aims at eliminating toxins from the body and improving the functioning of various body organs. Fasting gives digestive organs ample time to restore health and regain efficiency which has been disturbed by modern-day eating habits. While medicine can provide temporary relief, natural fasting therapy is a proven method to detox naturally while improving immunity and physical, psychological, and sensory wellness in the long run.
Fasting has various health benefits that include improved cardiovascular health, better insulin sensitivity, decreased blood sugar, cell reformation, recycling, detoxification, etc. Fasting, in a way, enables you to listen to the needs of your body and make healthy choices to ensure good health. The one suitable for your body from the numerous types of fasting in naturopathy can be determined after due consideration to a lot of deciding factors like age, lifestyle, nature of the illness, etc. Fasting for seasonal allergies provides greater relief in combating illnesses that arrive with changes in weather in addition to fighting digestive disorders like gas formation and indigestion.
Besides these, fasting also–
- Increases insulin sensitivity and improves glucose tolerance.
- Removes poisons and toxic matters from the bloodstream thus purifying the system.
- Rests vital organs giving them time to restore functionality and regain lost health.
- Improves overall immunity and brings inner peace and calm.
- Boosts metabolism, reduces fat layers, and aids in weight loss.
Some Misconceptions about Fasting
- Weight loss is not the sole aim or outcome of fasting. Fasting therapy mainly aims at eliminating toxins from the body and improving the functioning of various body organs.
- Therapeutic fasting and detoxification when done under the guidance of a naturopathic physician ensure you stay active even during the period of fasting and do not suffer from weakness.
- Fasting does not equal starvation. Fasting therapy for cleansing and detoxification is carried out under the guidance and observation of physicians’ insights into how to do fasting in naturopathy.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
5th December 2022