"Feeding Versus Cleansing" by Dr Natasha

I have checked out this very comprehensive blog on "feeding versus cleansing" by Dr Natasha, and it is interesting to learn that animal foods such as fresh good quality meat, fish, eggs and dairy are largely feeding/building, while plant foods such as beans, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds are largely cleansing/detoxifying. I find it useful to know that vegan diets are ideal only for temporary cleansing, and cooking plants help make them more digestible, and animal foods are needed for buiilding our body with the necessary fat and protein. I also find it interesting to note that our body goes through cycles of building itself up and cleansing itself, and "desire for a particular food is the main way your body tells you what it needs at any particular moment nutritionally".

Yes, come to think of it, there were times I do have a desire to eat certain foods during lunchtime, and even though I usually eat mainly vegetables and occasionally egg for lunch, I sometimes felt like eating some meat as well. This is especially so when I feel a bit hungirer than usual and I would be thinking maybe I should eat something more filling, such as some meat. I also noted from the article that everyone is unique, and what may suit another person may not suit me and vice versa. All in all, it is a very informative blog.

"Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) are the most difficult conditions to treat. The detoxification system in these people is in complete collapse.

The toxins... impair the function of mitochondria in the cells. Mitochondria are our energy factories in the body. As they are disabled the person suffers from severe fatigue, which is the main symptom of these three conditions. The detox system needs energy to function, so the person is trapped in a vicious cycle of not being able to produce energy or detoxify.
As the detoxification system is disabled, any amount of die-off is poorly tolerated, as die-off increases toxicity in the body, and... That is why people with these problems have to go so slowly with increasing probiotics or fermented foods....

Try to modify your GAPS diet according to your personal needs: move through the stages faster or add foods which you feel will be good for you earlier, while avoiding those that are difficult for you to handle at the moment.
My heart goes out to people with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and ME; you have a real challenge with your health, one of the most difficult ones....

The important thing for you is to never give up and trust your body: your body knows what it needs at any moment. You need to develop a real connection with your body, to learn to listen to it and have a deep love and respect for it. Because it is your body that is doing the healing, not the diet or supplements or anything else....

Your recovery process is a partnership between you and your body. So, don’t try to impose anything on your body without asking it first if it agrees with that.... Your mind is affected by many different things and can deceive you, while your body is always right.

We have lost touch with our nature and it takes time to learn to listen to our bodies and our souls. But as you learn, you will become more and more successful, and not only at your physical recovery, but many other aspects of life." - Dr Natasha Campbell McBride

It is encouraging to read this above quote by Dr Natasha Campbell McBride, in knowing that we can become more and more successful at our recovery from the physical symptoms of accumulated toxins in the body, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, by learning to listen to our body and our soul, especially with regard to the kinds of food we eat, according to our personal needs. I googled about this just now and came across a couple of articles below in which the writers shared how the GAPS diet has helped them in their healing journey.

https://www.facebook.com/GAPSDiet/posts/377666858969882

"Gaps diet cured my chronic fatigue. I still have some minor issues that are healing."

http://baringapark.wordpress.com/tag/dr-natasha-campbell-mcbride/

 

Some thoughts about water fasting and dieting

In this video, Keith Owens tells of his experience on day 9 of his water only fast. I noted that he felt like he was being cleansed of toxins, not just physically (through bowel movement in the washroom on the 9th day) but also cleansed mentally, and he felt good after that. The water fasting had changed his lifestyle - he stopped smoking, for example. It involves weight loss, as I also learnt from this website, so it requires careful moderation and supervision if one were to carry out water fasting.

I suppose you could start slow if you try water fasting. As advised by this website:

http://www.allaboutfasting.com/water-fasting.html

"If you're going to water fast on your own, honor the rules about rest and recuperation and attention to increasing bodily awareness. You must slow down. You must honor your body and its needs and messages. You must give every opportunity for this to be a healing experience--on all levels--and you know intuitively what you need to do and what you need to let go of to allow this."

Besides, I learnt from this wikiHow website that water fasting may have side effects such as dizziness, nausea and headaches. It recommends alternating "a juice fast with a water fast if you're contemplating a longer fasting period. That way, your body can receive important vitamins and nutrients on a periodic basis." Perhaps a safer alternative is taking more fruits and vegetables. (The website also noted that doctors nowadays advised against colon cleansing, such as enema, since our body will naturally cleanse itself.)

Here's sharing a person's testimony on water fasting in view of her low residual iron levels in her blood.

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/archive/index.php/t-43786.html?s=93313dfb7dbd6bb84124b9de4f189313
"It's so important that you listen to your body. 2 days of water fasting can be too much for some people... whereas others can do much longer periods. 

My daily iron levels are fine but my residual iron levels are low... so when I water fast... one day is enough for me. Then I make sure to have watermelon juice the next day with a touch of lime - as the lime assists my body to absorb the iron. 

So... if you find yourself getting super dizzy, really weak, your skin turns really pale... consider switching to juices or back to eating raw. 

Other than that... I don't see a problem with what you are wanting to do."

If you are anemic, I suppose it's advisable to start slow if you want to try water fasting. Since having slight iron deficiency in your blood may cause fatigue easily, you could consider alternating with juices and broths, as well as ensuring a regular intake of iron rich food (such as beet, sweet potatoes, broccoli, prune juice, raisins, eggs, etc) in between short periods of water fasting. http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/health-and-wellness/iron-rich-foods

GOMBBS diet

On another note, here's sharing a new diet that is mainly plant-based and follows "a comprehensive set of dietary guidelines proven to enhance the immune system and improve overall health in addition to routing cancer." So I thought it could be a good diet to follow when alternating between water fasting (if you are planning to start one) and juice fasting at different periods of time.

GOMBBS - Greens, onion, mushrooms, berries, beans and seeds

Fuhrman coined this quirky acronym to capture the most demonstrably powerful anti-cancer foods. Greens are the most nutrient-dense foods in the world; the cruciferous vegetable family in particular, including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and many others, generates compounds known as isothiocyanates (ITCs) when blended, chopped or chewed that have a plethora of anti-cancer actions. In one study, higher intake of cruciferous vegetables halved the total incidence of cancer, while in another, higher intake saw a 57 percent reduction in the occurrence of colon cancer.

Allium vegetables including onions, garlic, shallots, leeks and scallions contain organosulfur compounds that are released when chewed, chopped or crushed. Increasing consumption of these healthful vegetables is proven to reduce the risk of prostate and gastric cancers. The flavonoid quercetin, abundant in onions, slows tumor growth and causes death of colon cancer cells.

All commonly eaten mushrooms contain powerful cancer-fighting agents including angiogenesis inhibitors, aromatase inhibitors and antigen-binding lectins which block estrogen production and prevent cancer cell growth. Eating just one mushroom per day lowers risk of developing breast cancer by 64 percent.

Berries' extraordinarily high antioxidant content merits them a spot on Fuhrman's short list of cancer fighters. For the greatest health benefit, dip berries in a homemade chocolate sauce; the combination of antioxidant-rich cacao and berries has been proven to have a synergistic effect that doubles the amount of antioxidants absorbed.

Beans, peas and lentils are nutrient-rich and high in protein and fiber; eating legumes at least two times a week reduces colon cancer risk by 50 percent. Additional protective effects have been shown for kidney, stomach, oral, larynx and pharynx cancers.

Seeds (and nuts, to a lesser degree) are high in protein, minerals, antioxidants and healthy fats. Flax, hemp and chia seeds are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and nut and seed consumption generally is linked to heart health, prevention of diabetes and weight control.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038178_cancer_prevention_diet_foods.html#ixzz2Dz8Smr3V