Many people have questions about water fasting: the benefits, the risks and how to do one properly. 
I have written about some of the benefits of water fasting in my other blog posts. In this post I will supply a guide for how to safely prepare for a water fast to prevent extreme detoxification reactions. 
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Water fasting is an intensive detoxification process. That means, if you have never detoxed before, or if you are dealing with a signifcant toxic burden (post- chemo, heavy metal exposure, obesity, poor diet), a water fast can have severe reactions. 
During the intensive detox phase of a water fast (the first 1-3 days) people can have any number of reactions: dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches or migraines, 10/10 body pains. It is hard to predict exactly how someone will react. 
To reduce the likelihood of an intensive detoxification reaction there are a few things you can consider during the preparatory phase. Depending on how toxic you are will depend on the length of time that you should spend preparing for your fast. Longer amounts of time are beneficial for more toxic states.

​Here are the options I recommend:
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A juice cleanse can be a great first step towards doing a water fast. It is a gentler detox with fewer detoxification reactions than a water fast. Because sugar is consumed in the form of fructose, the body does not go into ketosis which is the major driving force of detoxification and healing in a water fast. A juice cleanse is a break from digesting and metabolizing which uses about 30% of our energy. Without fiber the vitamins and minerals in the juice are rapidly absorbed for increased nutrition and health. Fresh live juices contain active enzymes which help to break down scar tissue and reduce inflammation. Juices keep us hydrated and help to flush out toxins through the kidneys. 

My juice recommendation for a juice cleanse would be:

• Green Juice - this is the staple of the Gerson Therapy for cancer and it is a good alkaline juice option. These juices need to be drunk fresh because they oxidize quickly and shouldn't  be stored. Consider making them yourself, or having a juice company prepare (and perhaps deliver) them directly to you. Here is the recipe. 
• Carrot apple - this is the other juice recommended in the Gerson Therapy. It is 3-4 large carrots to 1 green apple. This juice can be stored in an airless container for 24 hours. 

Avoiding juices that are highly acidic, or with too much spice and essential oil (ginger) is important because you don't want to damage your digest tract at all. 
Dosage for juices is about 8 -10 oz. 3 - 4 times per day. Juices are very filling and you might not be able to tolerate much more than this. Remember you can drink water between your juices. The number of days you choose to do the juice fast can range from 1 -7 days. 

1 day - this is a great first step in detoxifying. If you would like to go slowly and see if not eating for 1 day is even possible, take o the challenge by doing a 24 hour juice cleanse. Drink 6-8 oz. of juice 4-5x per day and see the results!

3 days - this is a beginner juice cleanse and can be done by most people. It will reduce inflammation and help to heal the gut. 

4-5 days - this is more intensive and can be done by people who are ready to experience some minor detoxification reactions, gut healing and a decrease in inflammation. 

6+ - this is an intensive juice cleanse that will produce results. Some autoimmune diseases can go into remission between 7-10 days of just juices, the gut will show signs of healing and inflammation will go down. You might notice your skin healing (reduced acne) or an aggravation of acne and rashes if there are a lot of toxins to be released.  

Note: if you have pre-existing medical conditions and you are not sure if a juice fast is safe for you, make an appointment with a local naturopathic doctor or other medical professional educated in juice cleansing to help you decide. 
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Combine a juice cleanse and vegetarian or vegan meal each day. 
Doing juices (6- 8 oz. 1-3x per day) and having 1 healthy meal is another good way to cleanse the body. Consider a meal that is high is fresh, raw greens and vegetables like a hearty salad, buddha bowl or dahl or soup. 
Raw crackers accompany a vegan meal well - this is my recipe. 
A healthy grain like quinoa can be added for extra density and protein. 
​Avoiding gluten and dairy in this meal is an important part of this regime as well as the other suggestions above for dietary and lifestyle changes. 

Naturopathic doctors can do a provocation test for heavy metals which show the tip of the iceberg for the quantity of heavy metals stored in your tissues. They can be removed from the body using oral or intravenous chelation. 

Preparing to do a water fast before you do one can decrease the severity of detoxification reactions which make a water fast safer and more enjoyable. 

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How to safely do a water fast at home and when to seek out medical guidance. 

- Dr. Ariel Jones 

Shamanic journeying with plant spirit medicines is a long practiced ritual in many cultures across North, Central and South America. The plants that take us on a journey to another realm are called Entheogens "that which bring us closer to god" or "generating the divine within". These plants have medicinal properties that are easily identified such as alkaloids or tannins which act on the physical body to promote healing. They also work on an emotional and spiritual level in ways we haven't yet been able to quantify. Science will talk about DMT, the spirit molecule, as the reason behind our colourful experiences with plants like peyote, san pedro and ayahuasca. while other modalities such as homeopathy will attribute a plant's effect on our mind and body to its energetics, and the imprint it makes on the vibration of water. 

What makes a plant, a plant spirit, may be due to several attributes. Plants with hallucinogenic properties such as DMT qualify. Perhaps its use in a ceremonial manner in a space made sacred by being dedicated to the event, cleansed energetically, and orchestrated by a shaman or mystic as with cacao, ayahuasca, iboga and peyote. 

Some plant spirit medicine's ask that the participants do a diet before to help the medicine work. Cleansing the body in this way is ceremonial and practical. Removing toxins and heavy food from the body allows the medicine to be taken up easier and work deeper. Some foods can inhibit certain properties of the plant medicines such as food high in tyramine with the plant medicine ayahuasca. This is where water fasting may play a vital role.

Water fasting on its own is transformative. It has the power to detoxify the body of years of toxins, heal illnesses and make a connection to the greater life force known as the Universe, Creator or God. Water fasting is a stand alone treatment. So what if it was used to clean the body and get connected before journeying with a plant spirit? 
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This February we are combining the sacred act of water fasting with the transformation and healing power of plant spirit medicine. The water fast will be used as the cleanse before the plant ceremonies as a dieta would commonly be used for. Only this is as high level dieta. 
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At this point our participants will be ready to go deeper and experience the plant medicine. Three ceremonies separated by 24 hours of integration, talking, and spending time in nature. The medicine guide for this part is none other than Christina Sol. She has been working with the medicine, The Paloma Blanca, for over 15 years. She is a medicine guide, a shaman and mother. She'll be the first to tell you that she is ALSO a grandmother. Having Christina hold the space for the work that happens during these ceremonies is integral. As a mother, Grandmother and shaman Christina sets a safe space, held in loving strength for the difficulties on the road ahead. Ceremony can last between 2 and 5 hours (sometimes even longer depending on the person). The experiences can be ecstasy, difficulty and anywhere in-between. 

This is the first time that water fasting will precede any of Christina's ceremonies and the results will be interesting to behold.

If you are interested to learn more about Sacred Medicine Journey and being part of the retreat we would be happy to hear from you. Our results will be shared here for everyone to read about so stay tuned. Fasting as a dieta before plant spirit journeying is a unique field to explore. We begin February 4th! 

Sending Love and many blessings,
​Ariel

Three friends met on quiet, sunny, peaceful Mayne Island to explore the sensation of water fasting. 

Water fasting consists of drinking water only for an extended period of time so that the body can enter ketosis and heal.  In the absence of glucose and glycogen (the storage form of glucose) the body makes energy using ketones. Ketones are derived from fat tissue and created in the liver. 
Why is this such a good thing? Breaking down fats regenerates and heals the body. Fat is found as adipose tissue (what we think of as fat) and plaques in the arteries. Even scar tissue is broken down. That means injuries heal from the newest to oldest throughout a fast. 
There are other benefits of water fasting which include stimulation of new brain cell growth. This can be a prevention and treatment for neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's, dementia and Parkinson's diseases. 
Digestion is metabolically expensive, meaning it requires lots of energy. The body expends energy breaking the bonds between food molecules. Water fasting gives the gut a chance to heal.
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Sleeping and Waking Everyone wakes up at different times. During a water fast less sleep is often needed because the body is not burdened with breaking down food. But sleeping during the day is common. Waking up can feel great, it can also feel difficult - with nausea or body pains. After 3-4 days energy increases and the body feels great. 
Meditation allows each person to get in touch with their inner journey. When you are fasting the mind is quiet and there is a sense of calm. Messages are easier to download and interpret which means lots of journalling happens also. 
Nature is the source of all things. It is where we come from and what we are made of. Spending time in nature is essential during a water fast. We spent time at the ocean, park and garden, appreciating the endless beauty of the island and tranquility around us. 
Skin Brushing is a post I have written about before here. It is the act of physically brushing your lymph fluid from the extremities towards the heart for eventual elimination by the gut. The lymph system is the body's sewer. All the by products of cellular metabolism and toxins get pushed out into the lymph. Because there is no pump for lymph fluid, like there is for blood, it relies on muscle contraction to move. Often times it sits and accumulates in distal tissues like hands and feet. 
Infrared Saunas promote detoxification. Infrared is a light wavelength that we interpret as heat. It penetrates 6 cm into the body to force toxins out. Infrared saunas can help with heavy metal detox, tissue and injury repair and mental relaxation. Its an excellent space to meditate, especially if you add some crystals!  Essential oils can be diffused in a small dish of water to enhance detox. Make sure to skin brush just before.  My favourite essential oils for detox are: Fir balsam, lemon, eucalyptus and lavender. 
Morning enemas are a water, non-retention enema. They are used to continue to move waste out of the colon for comfort and to reduce the symptoms of detox. Enemas help with nausea by reducing the amount of bile that builds up in the digestive tract. Enemas can help with brain fog and headaches. As a morning ritual it is done until the water flows out clear. We buy our enema kits here. 

Water fasting has been used for centuries by most religions as a way of purging the body and getting closer to god. Today is no different. Water fasting opens a portal to the seventh chakra allowing for a more direct connection to Source. 
Water fasting is also a time of deep transformation. Ideas about yourself and old stories are especially susceptible for release. This water fast we did a gentle release of that which no longer serves us. The ceremony went like this:

Japanese Garden, Mayne Island

• Walk the path of the Japanese Garden
• Think about something you no longer want to carry forward into your new life
• Pick up a piece of nature that represents this idea, image or story 
• Together we each said what we were willing to be free from and created an affirmation. The gathered item was discarded into the pond, or gently placed as a symbol of leaving it behind. We each chose: A rock, a leaf, pieces of old bark.

What we all ended up leaving behind were old ideas of ourselves that were no longer in purpose. The shared affirmation:

Short water fasts can be broken easily with the broth of 5 Element Soup. It is a delicious vegetable recipe broth created by Dr. Tateishi Kazu, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor.  From the Hawaii Naturopathic Retreat Website:

"(5 Element Soup) was created by Dr. Tateishi Kazu who based the soup on the principles of the five elements theory in Chinese medicine. The harmonizing balance of the forces of yin and yang, acid and alkaline, that generates health; in contrast to the imbalance, which leads to disease."

"He researched, studied and tested over 1,500 types of herbs and plants to come up with the unique healing vegetable soup. Each essence possesses its own color: green, red, yellow, white and black. These relate to the corresponding internal organs: heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidneys. Dr. Kazu used the concept of the five different colors as matched to specific vegetables:

• Daikon Radish Leaves (Green element)
• Daikon Radish (White element)
• Carrots (Red color element)
• Burdock Root (Yellow element)
• Shittake Mushroom (Black element)
  

Water fasts can be broken with other foods such as fresh & juicy in-season fruits, steamed soft vegetables like zucchini or carrots and other broths, like Hippocrates Soup. 

After the water fast the digestive system is delicate. Water enemas can be done each day until there is a bowel movement. 
Small portions are very important to not overwhelm a digestive system just beginning to secrete acids and enzymes.
It is necessary to avoid meat, oils and fatty food for a few days after a short fast, and much longer if the fast is over a week. 
Garlic, onion and spices are too corrosive for the gut and should be added in gradually. 
Salt becomes less necessary after a fast as the taste sensation is heightened. 
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Water fasting forces the body to change over from glycolysis to ketosis. This process is that hardest. It is day 2-3 of a water fast and it is when you feel the least energetic. Following this transition, energy steadily picks up. 
The heavy  detoxification of a water fast can feel uncomfortable involving nausea or vomiting for some people. This doesn't last long and wellness returns. Everyone's experience is different depending on their medical history. 
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The length of your fast depends on your health goals. The length usually can be determined by the severity of the illness being healed. A 3 day fast is a good break for the digestive system and an opportunity for the body to learn to regulate glucose metabolism. 
Most medical water fasts should be at least 7 days and probably more like 10-14. This length is where deep healing happens from: osteoarthritis, fibroids, autoimmune disease, chronic pain, migraines and more. 
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Short fasting periods can be done frequently. There is one form of intermittent fasting where one day each week is dedicated to just water. A short 3 day fast can happen many times in a year. 
Week long fasts or more shouldn't happen more than 1x per year. The body needs time to recover and the season for water fasting is important too. Spring or summer is the best time to water fast because it is the time of renewal and rebirth. It is also warm enough in most regions to fast at this time. During a water fast, your body temperature drops making even warm climates like Hawaii feel chilly! 
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Water fasting is done all over the world at home without medical supervision or a guide. The benefits of having a guide are tremendous. Someone with experience water fasting can help ease the process where necessary and catalyze deep emotional shifts. 
Medical supervision is necessary for anyone on prescription medication, fasts longer than a week, history of chemotherapy or other toxic drugs and serious medical conditions. 
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Water fasting is an intensive detox. If it is your first water fast, the chances are you are going to detox heavily. Symptoms can range from: headaches to migraines, and nausea or vomiting. Low blood pressure is common so moving quickly is not an option. 
Experienced fasters can sometimes maintain a job while fasting. 
Taking care of your family may be hard in the first few days of a water fast but will become much easier as the days go on. 
Its my recommendation to take time off during a water fast. There are many more benefits to a water fast, than just relieving the body of food, which come from solitude and stillness, time with nature and relaxation.
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Our water fasts are scheduled throughout the year in various location around the world. If you would like more information about our next fast in November in Hawaii, please send me an email to: drarieljones@gmail.com
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- David Deida

In our brain there is an area known as the hypothalamus. It main role is homeostasis. It functions to regulate our appetite, temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte balance and sleep cycles. It receives information from all parts of our nervous system and responds by producing hormones. These hormones are released onto our pituitary gland which produces more hormones targeted to our organs. Together, these two areas of the brain control our kidneys, adrenal glands, sex organs, bones, muscles, thyroid gland, ability to orgasm and connect with our loved ones, as well as produce milk after birth. And that is just the short list.

In this article we explore how appetite and body weight are controlled by the hormone leptin and what fasting can do to help regulate this process. 


What is leptin?
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Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells. Its function is to tell the brain how much fat we have so that it can regulate energy production. When we have enough fat stored, we don't need to eat to have enough calories to run the system. Our bodies are a complex balance between the amount of energy we need, the calories required to eat and expend and how much fat we will store on our bodies to meet that need. It is an ongoing tally. The leptin system evolved so that we wouldn't starve to death and now we sure aren't. In fact we are eating ourselves to death. Why is that?

The Broken Leptin System

Leptin communicates to the brain how much fat is being carried in an effort to balance the energy out/energy in requirement. Since leptin is produced by our fat cells, when there is lots of fat, there is lots of leptin. In a state of adequate fat stores, a satiety signal is produced in the brain inhibiting us from consuming more calories. In low fat states our brain is told we are running the risk of starvation and to increase caloric intake. This is a negative feedback cycle where in the presence of adequate fat stores, the desire to consume more calories is turned off. 
When people are obese, they have a lot of fat cells and therefore a lot of leptin. This over production of leptin, coupled with the over production insulin seen in obesity, causes a leptin resistance in the brain. The brain becomes less sensitive to the signals from leptin telling it there are adequate fat stores. Leptin resistance due to high levels of insulin and circulating leptin is the main physiological mechanism behind obesity. This leptin resistance the brain signals us to both eat more, and expend less energy! 

What Happens When We lose Weight?

Although losing weight, and therefore fast cells and leptin would seem like a good idea, in fact it triggers the desire to eat more. When we lose fat cells and leptin, we don't automatically regain leptin sensitivity in the brain. The reduction in circulating leptin trigger a starvation effects on the brain resulting in increased appetite and decreased energy expenditure. 

Other Causes of Leptin Resistance

Losing weight isn't the only cause of leptin deficiency. There are genetic defects that lead to low levels of leptin. It is estimated that approximately 3% of obese individuals have a receptor defect causing obesity. In the United States, that is roughly 2.3 million people. 
Inflammation in the hypothalamic region of the brain has been shown to cause leptin resistance. Leptin has a role in regulating the immune system because of its similarity in shape and function to another inflammatory mediator called interleukin-6. The presence of the inflammatory marker CRP has been correlated with leptin resistance in obese individuals. 
Other causes of leptin resistance are due to intracellular suppression of leptin signalling as well as extracellular binding of leptin, making it unavailable to the cells. 

Increasing Leptin Sensitivity to Keep Weight Off

​1. Reduce circulating insulin level
Insulin sensitivity can be improved many ways: reduced glucose intake, fasting, eating foods that support insulin sensitivity in cells: Chia, Maca, Cinnamon zeylenicum/cassia and the plant Gymnema sylvestre. 

2. Decrease inflammation
The majority of inflammation in the system comes from the gut. Specifically eating inflammatory foods such as: processed foods, refined sugar, GMOs, non-organic foods, and allergenic foods like wheat, dairy, corn and soy. Avoiding inflammatory foods reduces inflammation in the gut. When the gut is exposed to inflammation over a period of time, the tight junctions between the gut cells becomes permeable. Meaning undigested food particles escape into the blood stream. These food particles trigger the immune system to produce immunoglobulins against them, thinking they are foreign invaders. This process creates food allergies and sensitivities. The foods we are allergic to differ person to person, so having them assessed by a physician is the first step to helping repair the gut. Other ways to repair the gut lining and decrease inflammation are taking supplements proven to help: fish oil, L-glutamine, FOS (fructooligosaccharides) and probiotics. 
Getting enough sleep + exercising have been shown to lower gut inflammation. 

3. Exercise
Exercise doesn't have to be stressful. Even 30 minutes a day has been proven to lower heart disease and prevent diabetes. If you are staring exercise for the first time, you can use my 15 minute rule:
- 15 minutes there
- 15 minutes back
This is basically a walk around a few blocks. Getting outside also improves mental health. Sun exposure and nitrogen intake are all correlated with better moods. Have a look into a new science called "forest bathing".

4. Fasting
Fasting, whether it is true water fasting or intermittent is a great way to increase leptin and glucose sensitivity in the cells. Intermittend fasting is the practice of have 1 day of decreased calories per week or 1 complete fasting day per week or a 16 hour fast each night. Any of these options work the same way: giving the body a chance to use up the glucose and being to use up the glycogen or glucose stores. In doing this, we train our body to respond less to the signal that glucose is gone. Because it knows there is another reserve (glycogen). What this looks like is a decrease in urgency for a snack or glucose fix. And it is freeing. Whatever your needs are during the week for work, activing or family life, there is an intermittent fasting protocol that fits your needs. 
Water fasting is a more intensive form of resetting the glucose tolerance and insuline sensitivity in cells. It involves ingesting only water for a period of time. By doing this, our body uses up all the glucose and glycogen energy stores and begins a process called Ketosis - breaking down fats for fuel. For more information on how to water fast or intermittent fast, contact our clinic for personalized programs and advice. 
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​5. MIC injections
MIC stands for methionine, inositol and choline and they are  known as lipotropic or " fat metabolizing".  These injections target the primary fatty deposits in the stomach, gluteus region, hips, inner thighs and under arms. They are a special formula of vitamins, nutrients and cofactors designed to support the liver to breakdown and eliminate fats from the body. 

How do they help burn fat?

Methionine is an essential amino acid meaning that we have to eat it to have it. It assists in the break down of fat in the liver which lowers your body's cholesterol and removes it from the circulatory system. 
The inositol component is involved in the biological signalling of fat metabolism.  It reduces serum cholesterol, by promoting fat metabolism. 
Choline is an essential nutrient required for the transport of fats and cholesterol. After break down, fats are transported to the liver where they are broken down in to their component parts and excreted from your body through bile. 
Other nutrients in the formula are Vitamin B12, B-Complex and Carnitine. B vitamins are ubiquitous helpers in the body's biochemical processes. Carnitine is an amino acid helpful in breaking down fat and preserving muscle and transporting fat from high density areas to the liver. 
Through diet, people may be deficient in any or all of these nutrients making fat burning more difficult. A routine schedule of MIC injections can support the body with the nutrients it needs to function properly as part of a fasting or medical program. 

References:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8532024/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23359004
​http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16932334
​https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/leptin-receptor-deficiency#statistics
​http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4556270/
https://empower.pharmacy/mic-injection.html\

Photo credit: 
​​http://ilonadesign.blogspot.ca/2014/01/leptin-hunger-hormone.html
http://www.nutrativaglobal.com/current-news/chia-seed-oil/

Intermittent Fasting is a diet that promotes having a 16 hour fast from food each day. That looks like finishing dinner by 7 pm and not eating until 11 am the next day. Intermittent fasting has a number of positive benefits on the body. Lets have a look:

Brain - improved cognitive function, stress resistance and reduced inflammation, reduce Parkinson's symptoms
Heart- lowered heart rate & blood pressure, increased stress resistance
Fat Cells- breakdown
Muscle Cells- increased insulin sensitivity, efficiency and reduced inflammation
Blood- decrease in inflammatory mediators, leptin hormone, increased ketones from ketogensis
Liver- increased insulin sensitivity, ketone production, decreased inflammatory mediators
Intestines- reduced energy uptake, inflammation and cell proliferation


What does all of that mean?
- Better memory and ability to think clearly & a reduced risk of age-related dementia
- Decreased risk of heart attack, high blood pressure-related issues & diabetes
- LOSE WEIGHT, avoid age related health issues, maintain lobido 
- Reduce gas, bloating and digestive disorders


What is a ketone?
Ketone bodies are the product of fat metabolism. In the absence of sugar, or the storage form of sugar known as glycogen, the body has to utilize another source of energy to power our bodies, brain and heart. That source is fat. Fat is broken down in the cells to produce ketones which are used as energy currency throughout the body. 
When we fast, our body goes through a process of using up our stored energy beginning with glucose. Once that is complete, it looks to the liver where glycogen (stored glucose) is kept. Finally, in the absence of glycogen it moves on to fat. Re-teaching the body how to use up its glucose stores is the key behind the benefits of fasting. Large amounts of stored sugars leads to increased fat production, decreased insulin sensitivity, the development of diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, inflammation and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Ketogenic diets are used currently by many MDs and hospitals for the treatment and management of seizures in epilepsy. 


What is Insulin Sensitivity?
Each one of our cells has insulin receptors on it. Why? Because sugar powers our cells. That means to run all the necessary functions, our cells have to take in sugar from the blood stream and convert it to energy, especially the brain. Insulin sensitivity is a measurement of how easily our cells are able to bind the circulating sugar and bring it in.  

In the presence of too much sugar, our cells down regulate the number of insulin receptors to reduce the amount of sugar being brought in. The cells become LESS sensitive to circulating insulin, and blood sugar levels rise as we consume sugar but don't take it up. This is the mechanism behind Type 2 diabetes: too much sugar consumption, fat production, insulin resistance and the oxidation of that fat leading to disease. 


Excess sugar becomes fat! 
Excess blood sugar is stored in the liver as glycogen. When there is too much glycogen, it is broken down into its components, one of which is Acetyl-Co A. Acetyl-Co A is subsequently transformed into fatty acids. Too much sugar is therefore converted to fat in the liver.


Why would I want to lower my leptin?
Leptin is the hormone produced in our fat cells that relays a message to the brain telling it how much fat we have. In a normally functioning system high leptin levels will relay a satiety signal to the brain, decreasing our desire to consume food. Why would we want to lower it? In a malfunctioning system where there are too many fat cells, there is also too much leptin. Too much leptin leads to leptin resistance in the brain. The satiety signal is never released and MORE fat is consumed. Decreasing the amount of leptin promotes leptin sensitivity in the brain and decreases the desire to consume fats in the diet. 
​

How Intermittent Fasting works
It takes 13 hours for all the glycogen in our livers to be used up. If we eat 3 meals a day, we don't have time to use up our glycogen, and therefore don't enter into fat breakdown. Intermittent fasting allows for the breakdown of fats to Ketone bodies. Why is this a good thing?


Profound affects on Brain Health

1. Stimulates neurotropic factors (e.g. BDNF)- promote the growth, connection and strengthening of neurons in your brain. Neurons are our individual brain cells that are connected through electrochemical transmissions using neurotransmitters such as: dopamine, epinepherine, norepinephrine, serotonin, histamine, GABA and glutamate. 
Challenges to the brain in the form of fasting, exercise and learning increases these neurotophic factors. 

2. Increases the energy in our cells - Mitochondria are the power houses of the cell. They produce all the energy the cell needs to function. Intermittent fasting increases the number of mitochondria produced in our neurons due to the up-regulation of BDNF produced from the stress of the fast. The increase in mitochondrial energy production increases both the number of neurons formed and the strength in their connection improving our learning and memory abilities. 

3. Enhances neuronal ability to repair DNA - fasting produces a small oxidative stress which causes our cells to increase its protection and  repair of DNA. 


Summary

Intermittent fasting is a stress on the body that increases memory and the ability of our brain to learn. It reduces the risk of developing serious life-threatening diseases. 

How do I intermittent Fast?
1. Reducing your eating time to 8 hours per day
2. Taking a break from eating from 7 pm - 11 am the next day
3. The "5:2 Plan" - 2 days a week eat only 500 calories

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TEDx
Below is a presentation by Mark Mattson, Chief of Laboratory Neuroscience at the National Institute on Aging and a professor at John's Hopkins University, discussing the benefits of Intermittent Fasting based on the studies he's read and performed.

To learn more about how to implement an Intermittent Fasting protocol, the best thing to do is consult a trained professional. Book an appointment with us to discuss how Intermittent Fasting can work for you. 

​References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2367001/
​https://authoritynutrition.com/leptin-101/

WHAT A RIDE ITS BEEN!
I was called to do a water fast while supervising a patient on their 21 day water fast. In fact, the call came earlier but I didn't listen. 
I spent 2.5 months in the magnificent and beautiful country of France this summer. And I ate. I ate and ate and ate and ate. After that, I ate more.  About half-way through I heard the call: "You need to stop". I was inflamed all the time. I carried a layer of inflammation + water on my body that weighed probably 5 kilos (the other 5 that I gained were baked goods and cream sauces).  But as usual the mind had reasons to  not fast, based mostly in fear. They sounded like this:
- "But its your last few weeks..."
- "But... but..what if you can't because... you're not at home"
-"Its not the right situation and you don't have your things" (Things??)
So I postponed it. When I came home I was busy looking for a place to live so I didn't "have the time".  I kept eating. Kept feeling inflamed. I Kept having anxiety and mental confusion. And then one night it came, crystal clear and almost audible...  While I was laying in bed my soul said "How long will you wait to do something you know you need to do?". I laughed out loud! "I'm not sure", I said.  "Ok" she said "well decide.  And then lets go". I started water fasting 2 days later.  There was a birthday brunch the next day that could not be missed!
This is my second water fast and what an interesting and valuable experience it has been. Not only do I feel great, my mind is clear and the anxiety is gone.  I can make decisions easily, and hear the voice of my true self loud and clear. When I close my eyes I fall in to mediation that is so relaxing. I can feel the rejuvenation. 
The detoxification stage was hard. Body aches and pains. I thought I might throw up at one point. But these are all a normal part of the body healing itself. THE BODY HEALS ITSELF! Amazing. After day 7 I was called to begin green juices. The same green juices from the Gerson Diet. They are meant to infuse the body with nutrients and vitamins without fiber. I have been doing that and will continue until day 10, the day I feel my fast will be done. 
If you are thinking of doing a cleanse, feel the need to detox, or have been called to water fast, I am here to support you on your journey. There is no time like the present to become all we were meant to be. Raw, radiant and healthy.
Aloha, have a great day xoxo