The Impact of Fasting on Drainage Pathways

Drainage Pathways

Oct 15

Ever had one of those days where you just feel... off? Maybe it’s that afternoon energy crash, or perhaps it’s the relentless brain fog and increased sensitivities. These aren't just random occurrences; they're often our body’s clever way of waving a little white flag, saying, “Hey, something's not quite right in here, please help!” Here at Healing Masters, we see these common symptoms as signs that our body's internal drainage pathways are blocked or struggling. Our internal city's roads are congested and need a little TLC to get traffic and waste management flowing again.

Luckily, there’s a natural, age-old method to help clear up that traffic within your body and open your drainage pathways: fasting. Fasting has become trendy and built a modern following, especially the practice of intermittent fasting for weight loss. Beyond the trends, there's genuine wisdom to the ancient practice of fasting, especially when done in a way that’s health nurturing, tailored to your individual body, and under supervision of a wellness professional. Fasting has incredible health benefits, but it also carries risks. In this blog, we uncover the transformative power of fasting, making sense of how it can be a game-changer for our body's essential drainage pathways, and perhaps, a way to unlock better better health and wellness. Sometimes, the oldest remedies have the most modern relevance.

Your Body’s Drainage Pathways: Why They Matter

Before we dive into the deep end, let's first understand what these "drainage pathways" are. Think of your body as a bustling city, and just like any city, it needs an efficient waste management system. Drainage pathways are like the roads and highways that transport waste and toxins out of the city (your body). Key players here include your liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, intestines, and skin.

When these pathways are clear and functioning optimally, you experience vibrant health. However, issues like poor diet, stress, and toxins can clog these pathways and make them not function optimally, leading to an accumulation/recirculation of toxic waste in the body. This is where you might start noticing fatigue, allergies, breakouts, rashes, brain fog, and anxiousness. It’s also common to develop increased environmental, food, and chemical sensitivities when your drainage pathways are congested.

Fasting: Nature’s Reset Button

At its core, fasting is where you voluntarily don’t consume food (or certain foods) for a specific period of time, usually for 12 or more hours. It’s a practice as old as time, used for spiritual, health, and even political reasons. But how does it impact our drainage pathways?

1. Resting the Gut:

Digestion is energy-intensive. By taking a break from food, you allow the gut to repair and regenerate. This can be particularly beneficial for those with gut health issues and slower motility. A rested gut is more efficient at absorbing nutrients and expelling waste. It gives you a chance to catch up and focus on activities that aren’t digestion related.

2. Autophagy Activation:

In layman’s terms, autophagy means “self-eating”—but not in the way you might think. Imagine our body having its own recycling program, where it tidies up by breaking down old and diseased cell parts, making space for fresh, vibrant ones. When we fast, this process goes into overdrive. Cells start breaking down their damaged parts for our cellular “digestion centers,” where enzymes get to work, transforming cellular waste into materials our body can use again. Beyond the cleaning, autophagy plays a superhero role: defending against age-related wear and tear, ensuring our cells function at their prime, and promoting a healthy, rejuvenated system. It's nature's way of ensuring longevity and vitality, from the cellular level up.

3. Liver Detoxification:

Our liver, the body's primary detox organ, gets a chance to process and eliminate stored toxins more effectively during fasting. This lightens the load on all our drainage pathways over time. Think of your liver as the superstar janitor of your body—always working overtime to keep things clean. The liver is constantly processing what we eat, drink, and breathe. When functioning well, it prevents harmful toxins from staying in the body. When we fast, it's like giving our liver a VIP pass to a detox concert. Without the constant inflow of food, the liver can focus more on clearing out stored toxins, letting our drainage pathways breathe a bit easier. Imagine the feeling of decluttering your workspace; that's the relief your liver gets during fasting.

4. Stimulation of the Lymphatic System:

Fasting can improve the flow of the lymphatic system, our body’s sewage system. A free-flowing lymphatic system efficiently clears out waste and reduces the risk of inflammation and disease. Ever consider how our body manages all the waste we don't see? The lymphatic system is kind of like the underground sewage tunnels ensuring everything runs smoothly in a bustling city. Fasting gives these tunnels a boost, improving the flow and ensuring that waste is efficiently escorted out. By doing so, we're not just taking out the trash; we're setting up a frontline defense against inflammation, supporting proper immune function, and preventing potential health issues.

Is Fasting for Everyone?

While fasting has many benefits, it's essential to approach it thoughtfully and know that it might not be suitable for everyone. It’s always wise to consult with a healthcare or wellness professional before trying fasts longer than 12 hours, especially if you have underlying health issues. Imagine embarking on a new hiking trail. While many people rave about the views from the peak, it's not necessarily a fit for everyone to personally hike to the summit. Similarly, fasting offers some fantastic benefits, but it's not a one-size-fits-all remedy.

Our bodies, like our personalities, are unique. What might be a rejuvenating experience for one could be strenuous and dangerous for another. For instance, those with certain health conditions or specific dietary needs might find fasting more challenging. Before you dive into an extended fast, think of it as planning an adventurous trip: always a good idea to consult a guide—or in this case, a healthcare or wellness professional. They can offer tailored advice, ensuring your fasting journey is both safe and beneficial.

Some groups should be especially cautious or avoid fasting altogether due to potential health risks, or at a minimum be supervised by a medical professional. For example, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an eating disorder, diabetes, a heart condition, history of gallstones, chronic kidney disease, advanced stages of liver disease, cancer, on medications, have adrenal fatigue, or are prone to gout. It's essential to note that even if you don't fall into one of these categories, individual responses to fasting can vary. It's always best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any fasting regimen to ensure it's safe and beneficial for your specific situation.

What About Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting (IF) is a dietary approach that alternates between periods of eating and fasting. Instead of focusing on what foods to eat, it emphasizes when to eat them. Common IF methods include the 16/8 method, which involves fasting for 16 hours a day and eating during an 8-hour window, and the 5:2 method, where one consumes only a small amount of calories on two non-consecutive days of the week while eating normally on the other five days. The idea behind intermittent fasting is to allow the body to burn off excess fat more efficiently, tap into stored energy, and stimulate cellular repair processes. Proponents of IF claim benefits ranging from weight loss and improved metabolic health to enhanced brain function. As with any dietary strategy, it's essential to find a method that fits one's lifestyle and to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes.

Intermittent Fasting and Hormonal Impact: A Gender Perspective

Overdoing IF can influence hormone levels in both men and women. For instance, excessive fasting can lead to a decrease in vital hormones like thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which regulate metabolism, and leptin, responsible for satiety. There's also a risk of increasing the stress hormone, cortisol. Men and women, however, can experience different hormonal responses to prolonged fasting. Women, in particular, may face disruptions in their menstrual cycle due to alterations in the levels of reproductive hormones like luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Men, on the other hand, might experience a decrease in testosterone levels. While the body's response to fasting is individualistic, it's essential to be informed and cautious, especially if considering extended fasting periods. This is why we recommend working with a professional who can monitor your lab work and ensure you aren’t stressing your body out with fasting.

Tips for a Successful Fasting Experience

1. Start Slow: If you're new to fasting, begin with shorter durations and gradually increase as your body adjusts. 12 hours overnight is a good starting point.

2. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, herbal teas, or even bone broths (if you're not doing a strict water fast). Read more about Understanding The Importance of Hydrating With Water

3. Listen to Your Body: Some discomfort is expected, especially at the start. However, severe pain or distress is a sign to stop and reevaluate.

4. Break the Fast Gently: Opt for easily digestible foods like broths, smoothies, or soft fruits.

In Conclusion

When done right, fasting can be a powerful tool in resetting and rejuvenating our drainage pathways. It’s like giving your internal city's roads and highways a much-needed maintenance break. As we aim to navigate our health challenges, it's comforting to remember that sometimes the solutions are as much about what we don't do (like eating) as what we do. Remember, every step you take, no matter how small, is a move in the right direction. We at Healing Masters are always here to support and guide you!

A Simple Intro to Drainage Pathways: The Colon

The Liver - Part 2: What Impairs Detox & How to Improve Liver Health

The Differences Between Drainage Pathways and Detox

The Impact of Fasting on Drainage Pathways

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by sarah southerton

Certified Integrative Health Practitioner (IHP2) & Functional Medicine Health Coach

I specialize in helping people heal chronic illnesses and achieve optimal health. After my own battle with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Lyme disease, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Post Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), I was thrust into the world of alternative medicine, herbal healing, and low-tox/low-stress living. I have since restored my health and no longer suffer with debilitating symptoms and I’m passionate about help other people who are suffering, so they can feel better a lot faster than I did. Learn more about my story →

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