Therapeutic fasting techniques

Fasting treatment is not a new topic. We find references to this practice in the works of ancient sages who were engaged in science and medicine. We can assert that ancient Greek scientists turned to fasting as a health procedure based on the artifacts that have come down to us. But this does not mean that in the times when writing had not yet become the property of man, he did not have the opportunity to experience the miraculous power of hunger.

In his book "Fasting for Health" Yu.S. Nikolaev notes that in the Paleolithic era and somewhat later, hunger was a natural state for humans. This was one of the important factors helping ancient humans to adapt to changing environmental conditions, to survive in harsh circumstances, relying on the reserves of their bodies. And if you look critically, the ancient Cro-Magnons looked even stronger than today's athletes, given that the diet of ancient people, compared to us, can easily be called a starvation ration.

American paleontologist D. Simpson claims that of the five hundred million species of living creatures that inhabited the Earth during the Paleolithic era, only two million have survived to this day. Among these two million are humans, who have changed in appearance and have managed to acquire a bunch of diseases. This was largely due to the change in food preferences and habits.

But let's return to the present. If previously a person acted intuitively, focusing on the true needs of his body, now we do not pay much attention to what it signals, but we control the body ourselves and dictate to it what it should want. We are accustomed to excesses in everything, and especially in food.

When man began to realize the inconsistency of his behavior, the first well-founded dietary theories appeared, which were supported by medical practice. Thus, therapeutic diets appeared, which were supported by specialists in traditional medicine, since they really helped speed up the recovery of patients.

But both the fans of satiety and the followers of the theory of rational nutrition did not want to admit the fact that ancient people were much healthier, largely due to hunger. The consequences of the Holodomor of 1932-33 and the siege of Leningrad during the Great Patriotic War only strengthened humanity in the idea that hunger is dangerous to life. And in such conditions, the benefits of therapeutic fasting had to be proven almost with fists.

Nevertheless, already in the last century, several different methods of therapeutic fasting have appeared successively, which continue to be improved. The first positive experiences interested people who had long and unsuccessfully fought various diseases. More and more people began to try fasting treatment on themselves. True, a significant part practices self-medication. This is largely due to the lack of information about medical centers where therapeutic fasting is practiced. And there are not so many of these centers and sanatoriums themselves, given the skeptical attitude of traditional medicine towards such practices.

And even those doctors who agree to include controlled fasting in the therapeutic scheme for some diseases often do not have full information about existing methods of therapeutic fasting, and therefore cannot apply them in their practice everywhere. We are talking about scientifically based methods with clearly developed treatment schemes, because we are talking about human health.

Let's consider what proven methods of therapeutic fasting exist today. And we will begin our review with the popular RDT method, as it was originally presented by its creator Yu.S. Nikolaev.

Therapeutic fasting according to Orlova

Lyudmila Aleksandrova Orlova is the head of the RTD center in Rostov-on-Don, which has existed for more than half a century (its opening took place in 1962). She is no stranger to medicine. Being a top-category doctor, a psychoneurologist, a psychotherapist and a nutritionist, this woman nevertheless actively promotes the theory of fasting treatment.

The idea of becoming a follower of the teachings of Yuri Sergeevich came to Orlova after she underwent a 32-day course of fasting treatment under the guidance of Yuri Sergeevich in connection with the onset of liver cirrhosis (the result of viral hepatitis) and was completely cured. Orlova simply became infected with the idea of healing targeted fasting.

Later, she headed the above-mentioned center of fasting and diet therapy, which has an attractive name "Active Longevity", helped treat other people and practiced regular health improvement by fasting on herself. It is the latter point that can be called the decisive factor in the excellent health of 78-year-old Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Orlova. Despite her respectable age, she is active, vigorous, slim, cheerful, and outwardly looks much younger than her years.

During the existence of the Active Longevity Center, Orlova and her staff have helped tens of thousands of patients from different parts of the world get rid of diseases.

The center practices Nikolaev's RDT method. Fasting courses may vary, but usually they are long periods of 21 to 40 days, during which the patient is hospitalized under the supervision of doctors. During treatment, the patient regularly undergoes RDT monitoring, which includes clinical and biochemical tests, hardware diagnostics of the work of various organs, which allows tracking the slightest changes in the patient's condition, adjusting the fasting scheme, avoiding possible complications. In the future, such studies allow you to create an optimal nutrition program in the recovery period, choose the right vitamin and mineral complexes, etc.

During the course of treatment at the Active Longevity Center, the patient undergoes a complete cleansing of the body thanks to additional cleansing procedures:

• intestines (colon hydrotherapy),
• liver (bile duct sanitation),
• kidneys (urinary tract sanitation),
• lymph (endoecological rehabilitation),

At the same time, the body is cleansed of parasites, normal microflora is restored, and subsequently the vitamin and mineral composition is restored.

The electrophysiotherapy, hydromassage and thermal procedures carried out in the center make the course of therapeutic fasting more productive. Also at the disposal of patients of the RTD center are: a mini-sauna, a fitness room, a speleo-chamber (salt cave), a cosmetology room where they perform rejuvenating cosmetic facial massage.

Thus, it can be said that therapeutic fasting according to Orlova is a complex system of healing and rejuvenation of the body, built on the basis of the teachings of RTD Yu.S. Nikolaev. True, good initiatives that do not concern traditional medicine are not sufficiently supported by the Russian government and relevant authorities, as evidenced by the reviews of many patients about the condition of the premises of the Active Longevity center. It seems that the Russian Ministry of Health (and in Ukraine things are no better) and the organizations associated with it simply do not benefit from people having good health and longevity.

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Therapeutic fasting according to Neumyvakin

Ivan Pavlovich Neumyvakin is a doctor of medical sciences, the author of many developments in the field of space and alternative medicine. He lived a long, interesting life, having said goodbye to this world quite recently at the age of 89, not having lived to see his 90th birthday by some couple of months, which speaks of the strength of his body. I.P. Neumyvakin's books "Endoecology of Health" and "Hydrogen Peroxide" became bestsellers and were published not only in our country, but also in European countries.

Neumyvakin was a supporter of natural healing of the body. And although he himself did not develop methods of therapeutic fasting, on the basis of already existing methods he created a comprehensive system of healing the body without means of medicinal support. The simple and accessible system turned out to be so effective that in the USSR it was used in the preparation of cosmonauts for flights.

The essence of Neumyvakin's general health system is the maximum cleansing of the body from harmful substances accumulated during its life. It is this garbage in the body, according to the scientist, that affects biochemical processes and provokes all sorts of diseases.

Ivan Pavlovich considered fasting as one of the most powerful methods of natural cleansing of the body. But before starting therapeutic fasting, Neumyvakin, like Yu.S. Nikolaev or his follower L.A. Orlova, recommended initially cleansing the body in any available way. In this case, not only the intestines should be cleansed (this is, of course, the initial task), but also the kidneys, liver, pancreas, joints, blood and blood vessels. In this case, it is desirable to adhere to this order of organ cleansing. Additionally, it is necessary to carry out measures to get rid of parasites.

Neumyvakin recommends cleansing with various enemas (for example, including soda or hydrogen peroxide). Moreover, in his clinic, one of the cleansing procedures is considered to be the ingestion of hydrogen peroxide (there is a specific scheme) and soda solutions. This method seemed to the scientist even more effective than the monitor bowel cleansing.

Such a thorough cleansing of the body, according to Neumyvakin's theory, helps to qualitatively prepare for fasting and ease its course.

Like many other authors of various systems of health improvement, I.P. Neumyvakin considers it necessary to gradually move from short courses of fasting to longer ones. It is recommended to start with 1-3 days of fasting, and when the body gets used to it, move on to longer ones.

Neumyvakin is an adherent of complete fasting, i.e. such that only water remains in the patient's diet. At the same time, he prefers not boiled or distilled water, but purified in a special way. We are talking about protium water, the preparation of which is similar to melted water. But in this case, heavy isomers are removed from the water, freezing first at a temperature of 3.8 degrees above zero. By removing the first ice on the water, we thus remove substances from the water that are not useful for the body. The remaining water must be frozen at a temperature of 0 degrees and below, and then allowed to return to its previous state.

Therapeutic fasting, according to Neumyvakin's theory, should be carried out in close connection with moderate physical work and active walks in the fresh air. The scientist also considers exercises that involve holding the breath and breathing into a plastic bag useful, which contribute to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the body, which enhances the healing effect of fasting.

Neumyvakin recommends breaking the fast according to the standard scheme, starting with drinking fruit and vegetable juices and gradually moving on to eating a variety of foods in small quantities.

Neumyvakin pays special attention to the consumption of liquids both during the fasting period and in everyday life. During the fast, water should be drunk at will, and after it is over, adhere to the following scheme: drink liquid no later than 20 minutes before a meal, do not drink during a meal and for the next 2 hours. The scientist advises grinding any food in the mouth to such a state that it is practically indistinguishable from liquid.

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Therapeutic fasting according to Voroshilov

The method of Alexander Pavlovich Voroshilov, a doctor of the highest category and the author of the program "Health and Weight", may seem somewhat unusual. Cyclic fasting according to Voroshilov can be called fasting with breaks, which is based on courses of medium duration (7 days).

This is a relatively new method, which may raise some doubts due to the fact that the doctor offers patients to fast at home, having learned this in his program. Nevertheless, Alexander Pavlovich believes that with a correctly set week-long fast without contraindications to it, there is no need to sit "locked up" in the hospital. The patient is able to carry out hourly hygiene procedures independently, and the rest of the time his task is to rest and walk.

A cycle, according to Voroshilov's method, is a "nutrition-pause" complex, in other words, it is the period of one course of fasting. But several such courses can be carried out. Thus, 6 cycles of fasting lead to the renewal of body cells (liver - 40%, heart - 20%).

There are 3 program options, which allows you to choose the necessary method, in accordance with your needs. Thus, the option with 1 fasting cycle (1 month, 1 week of fasting) is carried out rather for preventive purposes. The option of 3 fasting cycles (3 months, 3 weeks of fasting) is suitable for those who have a little excess weight and untreated diseases. Fasting for 6 cycles (6 months, 6 weeks of fasting) will help those whose excess weight is more than 20 kg, as well as those suffering from chronic diseases.

During fasting, Voroshilov does not prohibit drinking water, going to work, and playing sports within reasonable limits, based on how he feels.

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Dry therapeutic fasting according to Shchennikov

This method may seem no less unusual. But it was tested on himself by its author, naturopathic doctor Leonid Aleksandrovich Shchennikov, who turned 86 in 2018.

Working in a hospital (in an ambulance) and studying anatomy, Shchennikov came to the conclusion that such a short lifespan of a person and the presence of many diseases have one root - the lack of unity of mind and body. We simply do not listen to what our body tells us, we ignore its needs, replacing them with our own imaginary ones.

Having acquired many diseases, we still have not figured out how to effectively treat them, and medicine is still unable to provide answers to many questions regarding human health. So Leonid Aleksandrovich came to the conclusion that the answers to these questions must be sought within oneself, listening to one's nature.

Testing various health methods on himself, Shchennikov settled on dry fasting, considering it the most appropriate for the need for recovery in most diseases. At the same time, he did not limit himself to a 3-day fast, which was considered the only safe one, while longer periods of dry fasting were considered potentially dangerous to life and health.

Leonid Shchennikov has proven from his own experience that with the right approach to fasting, even 11 days of absolute fasting does not cause harm. His method, called "Healing Abstinence", involves a complete refusal to consume food and water for a period of 5 to 11 days.

Despite the fact that the author offers a well-known method of dry fasting, its implementation has its own peculiarities already at the preparatory stage. Leonid Aleksandrovich is categorically against cleansing the body the day before and during fasting with enemas. He suggests cleansing it with plant foods: vegetables and fruits, gradually switching to a raw food diet and not mixing different fruits during meals.

The naturopath considers the psychological attitude of a person to be very important, without which long-term dry fasting is impossible. If a person has already set himself up for dry fasting, then he needs to start with short periods (1-1.5 days) once a week, the exit and subsequent nutrition involves the use of dairy and plant foods.

When the body gets used to it, you can try longer courses (3-5 days) with an interval of 2-3 months, and for the treatment of serious diseases, switch to fasting for 9-11 days.

Dry fasting according to Shchennikov has other features. For example, there is no need to limit contact with water: hygiene procedures, baths, dousing, showers, swimming in water bodies are allowed. All this helps maintain water balance. In addition, the daily routine during fasting is special (again, to absorb evening and night moisture from the air). So L. Shchennikov suggests sleeping from 6 to 10 am, then an active walk until 1 pm, intellectual work for 2 hours and a specialist consultation until 6 pm. At 6 pm, it is imperative to go to bed before 10 pm, after which until the morning a person again must be in the air, move, breathe actively, and soak up moisture.

During the entire fasting period, you must not overexert yourself, but it is also undesirable to lead a passive lifestyle. Moderate work therapy will be beneficial.

Fasting for up to 5 days, according to Shchennikov, can be done at home; for a longer period of abstinence from food and water, specialist supervision is necessary.

According to Shchennikov's method, exiting dry fasting takes only 4 days. Drinking is allowed from the first day of recovery, but it is necessary to observe moderation. On the first day of exiting fasting, a salad of fresh vegetables, grated on a grater, is allowed. On the second day, vegetable juices and boiled vegetables are allowed. On the third day, you can already eat vegetables, fruits, bread, a little buckwheat or millet porridge. On the fourth day, the following are allowed: low-fat broth, protein products, fruits and berries, except for those that are difficult to digest and those that cause fermentation and gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Starting from the fifth day, you can return to your usual diet, but fish and meat can be returned to the diet only a week after the end of the fast.

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Therapeutic fasting according to Malakhov

Unlike the above-described methods, the healing system of Gennady Petrovich Malakhov (writer, host of TV programs about various methods of healing the body, author of the book "fasting. Author's textbook") is not scientifically based. Malakhov's system also includes therapeutic fasting, but in this case we are not talking about a new method, but about a mosaic made up of the developments of scientists and non-traditional methods of treating certain diseases (for example, urine therapy).

G. Malakhov examines various methods of therapeutic fasting, including those that he has tested on himself. These are shorter (7-10 days) and longer (up to 40 days). But his approach to fasting has some features that are not always supported by doctors.

At the very beginning of fasting, Gennady Petrovich insists on complete cleansing of the body: not only the intestines, but also the liver, stomach, lymph, joints, etc. He equally supports both complete and absolute fasting according to Nikolaev. But directly during fasting, he suggests doing enemas not with plain water, but with urine.

What is even more outrageous for doctors (even non-traditional ones) is the advice to use significant physical exercise and various procedures such as dripping, hardening, contrast showers, urine massage and urine ingestion, yoga exercises and much more during the height of fasting.

He considers heavy loads during fasting for 1-1.5 weeks to be especially useful. At the same time, he recommends replacing water with urine, which supposedly gives better results in the treatment of various diseases.

As we have already said, this approach to fasting has no scientific or physiological basis and can only be used at one's own risk. Doctors are already skeptical about the idea of fasting treatment, not everyone will dare to treat a patient fasting according to the classical method, not to mention a system that can harm health, simply torturing the body.

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Are there other methods of therapeutic fasting?

Today, you can find many different methods of cleansing and healing the body using conscious fasting on the Internet. Some of them can be considered quite reasonable, others are not supported by anything, which for some reason does not make them less attractive. Still others can be considered more like fasting days, but not a full-fledged treatment system.

Some fasting patterns can be considered potentially dangerous, but most are quite harmless systems, especially if we are talking about short-term or partial abstinence from food.

For example, juice fasting, which helps restore the body by reducing the load on the digestive system and saturating it with essential vitamins and minerals, can hardly be considered violence against one’s body.

Therapeutic juice fasting can be done for up to 60 days, and sometimes longer. The food for this entire period will be freshly prepared vegetable juices plus 1 glass of fruit juice per day. Additionally, you can drink purified or spring water, which will promote effective cleansing of the body.

Or, for example, therapeutic fasting according to the lunar calendar. It must be said that it does not have a therapeutic effect, but as a general health procedure it is quite suitable. In addition, this method, which involves alternating dry and wet fasting days, helps to get rid of 3-5 extra kilograms in a month.

True, preparation for such fasting has its own peculiarities. Firstly, you need to have a lunar calendar at hand. Secondly, you will have to check all your steps during the month against it.

On the very first lunar day, in the morning, you need to cleanse your intestines with an enema and chamomile infusion and eat modestly, reducing your usual portion by almost 2 times. In the evening, another chamomile enema, after which you can no longer eat.

Some suggest making the 2nd lunar day a day of dry fasting, when you have to give up both food and water. In fact, it is best to undergo such a test on the so-called Ekadashi days (the 11th and 26th days of the lunar cycle). These are the days that the sages of the East considered the most favorable for cleansing and restoring health.

In between these days there will be days when you only need to abstain from food, while you can drink water in sufficient quantities (8, 10, 12, 18, 20, 25 and 29 lunar days), or eat according to your usual pattern (2-7, 9, 13, 15, 16-17, 19, 21-24, 27, 28, 30 lunar days).

On days when you don't need to fast, it's important to remember that when the moon is waxing, you can't overload your stomach, so portions should be half as small, and you'll have to give up dinner altogether. But when the moon is waning, there are no restrictions on food, just don't overeat at night.

Therapeutic fasting is not a generally accepted method. It is not practiced everywhere to treat patients, and even with all the desire, it is not always possible to find a specialist who will agree to guide you during fasting. But will this be an obstacle for a person who has decided to improve his health in this way and is inspired by the example of doctors and naturopaths practicing therapeutic fasting, especially since many of them can only be envied - in a good way, envied for their health and longevity.

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