Continuous over-abundance and over-indulgence in food is a relatively recent phenomenon in man’s history. Historically and traditionally our genetic code is programmed for a periodic abstinence from food, which was necessitated by the periodic unavailability of food, particularly during famines and during winter and early spring, when the storage supply of food was exhausted and the new crops were still unripe. In Hunza, and many other parts of the world, such spring starvation is a common occurrence even today. Every spring there is a period of 4 to 6 weeks when people must tighten their belts and go through a natural, unintentional fast, because there is not much food left from winter supplies.

Although the primitive populace, who were forced to starve (fast), did not, of course, understand or appreciate the health benefits they derived thereby, the fact remains that periodic abstinence from food had a far-reaching beneficial effect on their health. Our ancestor’s bodies used these periods to cleanse themselves from the toxic wastes accumulated during the periods of over-indulgence. These periodic fasts also helped to repair and heal any health disorders, give digestive and elimination organs a rest, and to restore and normalize the functions of all glands and organs. They enjoyed better health, their resistance against disease was increased, and they lived longer, because of these involuntary fasts. We are able to say this now because modern scientific research has shown that systematic under-eating and periodic fasting are the two most important health and longevity factors.

What our ancestors did against their will, forced to it by the unfavorable environmental conditions and circumstances beyond their control, we must do now intentionally. A periodic cleansing fast, perhaps once a year every spring, for a couple of weeks, would help tremendously to improve our health, prevent disease, and increase life span. Because of our sedentary life, lack of exercise and tendency to overeat, our body mechanisms need such spring cleaning to keep in good working order.

Juice fasting has been shown to be the safest and most effective way to restore health, as a part of the overall biological therapeutic program. But juice fasting has also a tremendous preventive potential. Periodic juice fasting will speed up the process of elimination of toxic waste matter and the dead cells from the body and accelerate and stimulate the building of new cells. It will also normalize all metabolic and nervous functions and increase cell oxygenation. After fasting, the digestion of food and utilization of nutrients is greatly improved and sluggishness and further water retention are prevented. All this will have a far reaching effect on the body’s ability to withstand stress and prevent disease.

*99/103/5*

GENERAL HEALTH