Age: 27
Sex: Female
Original Weight: 144
Original BMI: 21.9
Height: 5′8″
Planned fasting time: 12 days
Fasting type: Fresh Juice and Water on different days
Reasons: Mind body and spirit to be healthy and whole
Health Issues: Not overweight but want to be a healthy 130 lbs. Aches in hips, back, neck and in my right wrist where I broke it and there is still a screw. Borderline anemia. Leaky heart valve from Rheumatic Fever damage when I was young. Sporadic bulimic issues (Happens every 2-3 months, I eat way too much feel guilty, then purge but this is never a common occurrence. seems it happens when guilt gets to me. NEVER been anorexic as I LOVE food.) I am also a VERY fast eater and would like to get over this and slow down, has seemed very hard to me. I also easily get woozy when I haven’t eaten (borderline hyperglycemic?)
I have a pretty healthy relationship with food but I want to be able to slow down when I eat. I seem to have this subconscious sense that I have to eat as quickly as possible to survive. Then sometimes I eat way too much (not too often though as I HATE the feeling of being so full).

Hi everyone! I have been reading several of Tom’s blogs for weeks and reading up on fasting so I could feel prepared. My church calls for fasting at the beginning of each year for 21 days and I have felt called to do it this year. Most people there don’t fully fast, I think they just fast whatever God calls them to and I feel called to fast food.
I can’t fast straight through the 21 days; I can just go for 12 because of a mini-vacation that was already planned. But I am a first time faster (besides ~36hr fasts) so 12 days is pretty good I think.

Day 1: Today was great and easy until about 330pm. I started to get pretty hungry but not ravenous. Getting sleepy earlier than normal. Bought a juicer and am drinking the fresh juice from veg and fruit. I don’t know how much it helps. Would almost rather have water and teas w/ lime or lemon and the blackstrap molasses (for anemia)…ALTHOUGH at the moment I’m not really starving, just have had a headache for about 4 hours. Right temple. Could have something to do with the fact that I got a massage today too. My boyfriend (of 5 yrs) is already worried about me. He wouldn’t say why but it seems he doesn’t quite believe I’m doing all this for the right reasons, or maybe that I don’t know what I’m doing. I need to spend some time with the Lord to find out what He wants me to do and how long He wants me to fast.
My head hurts and brain feels tired-foggy. This will be a hard first couple of days. I love to eat, so pleasurable and I don’t like feeling hungry at all. Makes me want to sleep all day and be don’t with it. I pray for more time with the Lord tomorrow and a clearer head. Bothers me that my boyfriend is bothered. (I’ll call him an aka of ‘Charles’ from here on)

Day 2: I woke up feeling wonderful, no hunger, and no headache, refreshed. Took a shower, no weakness, no yellow tongue or bad breath yet. Sitting here now I can feel a little bit of a headache nut not bad. Yesterday I probably drank 8 oz water or more, 16oz of store bought organic aqai juice (cause I didn’t have a juicer yet) and about 24 oz of fresh juice. (Apple, pineapple, blueberry, blackstrap molasses, orange, lime– then the other: carrot, celery, tomato, sprouts salt pepper)
I think I will put molasses on some tea though because the fruit juice was way too sweet.
I didn’t really get to sit and pray yesterday. I have been given the sound advice to write down 5-10 things I really want to get God’s attention about so I did and had a great prayer time. I do try and practice a ‘pray without ceasing’ mentality though and do most of my prayer all day. (Helps because I have a very ADD personality).
I’m realizing that a sense of guilt has been instilled in me about food. Since I haven’t been eating I now notice a lack of guilt about eating too much or badly sometimes. It also has made me see that I don’t always feel guilty and that GOOD.
Gaining confidence. Felt much better today. Hunger is mild. Charles has even come over and cooked steak both these nights for himself and I have actually enjoyed the smell, it is so satisfying!
going to juice fast tomorrow again then try and water fast from Friday to Wednesday (6 days water fasting) then juice for the last 2-3 days. Thank you Jesus!

Day 3: Felt great this morning. Mind was clear and running last night so it was a little hard to sleep. It is weird to me how great I feel. In my mind it would be excruciating every step but it’s very clarifying and peaceful so far today. We’ll see how the water fast goes. I was so scared before- maybe of starving? – But the body is an amazing thing. It is helping me pray and I feel more ‘me’ than ever. Lord God send mercy to those in Haiti!!!
tongue was a tinge yellow this morning and can feel a small amount of bowel movement going through (I did a 5 day herbal cleanse before I started fasting so I really shouldn’t have much coming out!) –no BM today.
Headache! Sick of fasting! It seems that my mornings are great and then my nights are much harder! Need to concentrate on God to get me through. Head feels cloudy again. Fasting is supposed to be hard! LOL I feel like I need fellowship. Sometimes my body feels normal but then it feels achy, sore, foggy and tired.
So the challenge tomorrow is going to work and staying focused. (had 3 days off) its hard to picture fasting for even the 12 days I’m planning on, let alone 21!! 9 days to go. 5 of those water fasting…maybe. I have to at least try, God give me strength and healing! —OOOH MY HEAD! How can I pray while feeling this icky? But just to pray to feel better?

Day 4: no headache this morning, a little weak but not bad, still nervous about tomorrow and water fasting. Have lost 5 lbs.
2pm-still feeling good, have to work till 8pm tonight (12 hr day) but I guess its fine cause I’m not eating! lol
Jesus please help me with my water fast tomorrow. Mt 6:16 …So that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to Your Father… Deut. 8:3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger then feeding you with manna…to teach you than man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Day 5: Pimples on chest and some on face (not bad though because of the ‘acne.org’ product I use that is AWESOME) I also have a few on my spine– definitely detoxing! Line of roughness under my tongue. Daydreaming about food. my sense of smell is very acute. sight is too actually- I notice more colors!
first day of water fast is going well (is still morning so we’ll see). I had blackstrap herbal tea today again for anemia. going to put lime in my water for alkalinity. psalms 30:5 For His anger lasts only a moment but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Time goes sooooo slow on a fast. I keep counting the days over and over to when I can eat.

Day 6: (Didn’t write)

Day 7: The end of the day on my water fast (day 5) was VERY hard. It was the hardest night so far on my fast. Was weak, woozy, and daydreaming about food. Joking with Charles about how I was going to go out and find a cow and start munching on it right there! (Gross) Wasn’t just hungry, I was fantasizing about food. LOL so I bought some juice and yogurt and lettuce thinking I would end my fast the next day.
yesterday I drank 16 oz of store bought organic juice (I know not that great but it’s what I had on hand). I felt GREAT but I went to a bridal prevue with my soon to be sister-in-law and they had THE BEST smelling food there…FOR FREE. Free food tastes so much better doesn’t it? LOL BUT I resisted even a bite and was telling everyone that I was just full and ‘No thank you’ Thank you Lord for Your strength You send to me!
So today I am water fasting again since I am work on a Sunday and it is slow (I will be sitting most of the day). Then tomorrow I will probably go back to juice, depending on how I feel, but I do want to make it 12 days. was planning yesterday to end my fast today but with God’s help I am charging on! Lord God thank you for Your favor! I haven’t cheated once by eating! Not even a nibble! I am also doing an herbal cleanse today to flush any impacted feces that might be left. (it is from Arbonne [arbonne.com]–I LOVE their products!) Haven’t had a BM at all for these 7 days but I did do that cleanse before starting and like Tom says “nothing in, nothing out”!
Day 5 (water day) was hard as I mentioned before. I’ve never been that hungry. it probably wasn’t quite the feeling felt by those truly starving I know, but it wasn’t fun. Lord thank you for my blessings, may I use them for Your glory!
I have lost 11 lbs in 6 days (5 days juice, 1 day water) Also noticing my tonsils have had a not so nice taste and bits of tasteless something (??old food??–gross!). Noticing I don’t need coffee (I drank it about 3-4 days a week, 1 cup)
I feel clearer and better than ever today (though it is still morning). my hunger has gone more towards wanting fruit and veg (yay!) – (though a nice guacamole and buffalo burger from Turley’s sounds tasty too). the hunger is mild and it seems I am getting more comfortable with it, not as scared of it. Joy! Thank God! I’m glad I am still fasting and didn’t give up — keep going all who are reading this! Be encouraged in the Lord and let Him guide and strengthen you!

Quality seems so delightful compared to quantity! Water fasts are hungry days… Ps. 109:24 My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.             Is it weird that I can SING better after 7 days of fasting???

DAY 8:  Last night was pretty hard again but not as hard as the first water day. This morning i woke up VERY weak. (Could have something to do with adding the cleanse). I was shaky and wobbly in the knees. i didn’t feel light-headed at all though, yet i had to sit down when I was putting on my clothes because I felt like I was having a hot flash. (LOL way too young for that!) Last night it was hard to fall asleep because my mind was so awake & I’ve found that when I fast I can feel my heart beat everywhere in my upper torso. BOOM BOOM BOOM , pulsing…weird, but kinda cool. Feels clean.

Good side effect today: I noticed my teeth a MUCH whiter…no chemicals to help or nothin’ just brushing with natural toothpaste like normal. Has anyone experienced this also?  Since I was so weak this morning I am going to juice fast today and tomorrow then do spinach and yogurt/fresh fruit on what would be the 10th day (Wed). I can’t be this weak coming to work. If I am this weak in the morning I know it will be worse at night, morning are usually the best I feel. Plus I don’t want to shock my body so much when I go on vacation. Even when I start eating though I still want to fast something for spiritual reasons (Internet maybe?) Any ideas?

Ten days of juice fasting followed by 40 day of water fasting.
Weight loss 50 lbs.

I was 50-60 lbs overweight from where I was used to being in high school. I thought my metabolism would allow me to continue eating whatever I want for life. I began to spend most of my time in front of the computer and physical exercise was very limited. I would eat to deal with stress, boredom, or just for an extra “sugar high.” I felt God speaking to me about 1 year and a half earlier that I needed to exercise to fulfill my calling. At the time I didn’t understand what this meant, and I neglected to do this. That’s when I gained about 50 lbs. in a year. Other people began to take notice of my weight gain, but I mostly ignored it with baggy clothes and not going swimming. One day I went to buy some new pants (because my former pants didn’t fit anymore), and it dawned on me that I had gained 8 inches on my waist from where I was used to being.

At this point, I heard a message by someone who gave Biblical reasons why health is important (along with his testimony). This motivated me to make the changes in my life toward weight loss. I then began to work out with riding my bike, walking on the treadmill, and jogging etc. I began to cut out most meat and dairy out of my diet and eat more raw fruits and vegetables. Through these disciplines I lost 37 lbs. in close to 2 months! It was from there that I decided to do a 10 day juice fast, immediately followed by a 40 day water fast. With God’s grace and a body that was detoxed well from exercise and a healthy diet; I found that the first 30 days of this fast were fairly easy. During the first thirty days I was walking miles a day and going up and down hills around Jerusalem. I had plenty of energy and strength.

The final 10-15 days of the 40 day water-only fast began to be more of a challenge for me. I began to feel less strength for walking long distances and some light headedness. But I decided that I had come this far and so I would not go back. I took that as a sign that I was to rest and spend more time with God. As I did this, I found the grace and strength to keep going. My body felt so clean and I was surprised by how few times I really had “hunger pains.” During this period of my fast, I realized that I had to change my belief systems about the way I look at food so I can break my fast properly. I wanted to know more about the difference between starvation and fasting. This is when I found Tom Coghill’s fasting website that gave me information to confirm what I was already learning, and to teach me many fresh perspectives as well. I lost 50 lbs. during the 50 day fast and I lost 87 lbs. overall in 3 months! I feel better, have more energy, and am back to the fitness level that I was in high school. I broke my fast with mostly raw fruits and vegetables and the feeling was awesome as I tasted the variety of flavors of God’s foods in their natural state.

What was even more important to me was the peace of knowing I’m doing the Father’s will. Jesus (Yeshua) overcame temptation and walked in a new strength and power after His 40 day fast. And it was a joy for me to be able to walk in the Master’s footsteps to gain discipline over self, spirit, soul, and body.

Glory to the Lamb,

C.L.

Fasting Cured: Hypertension, Diabetes, Cholesterol, Arrhythmias and Arthritis. Name: Moreno Lindawan Tuguinay
Age: 67 years old
Occupation: Retired Clergyman of the Episcopalian Church in the Philippines (Anglican). Presently connected with St. Theodore’s Hospital as Chaplain.
Treatment Method: Juice Fasting
Days of Fasting: 40 days
Treatment Period: September 7, 2008 to October 16, 2008.
Post Treatment Period: Presently in the post treatment diet.
Weight Loss:11 lbs.
Diseases Healed: Arrhythmia, Diabetes, Hypertension,Increase Cholesterol Level and Arthritis.
Treatment Supervisors: Dr. Clare Lalwet, Dr. Penny Domogo and Tom Coghil
Location: Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines
Treatment Location: St. Theodore’s Hospital of Tarsus

Medical History

I had been a sickly person for the past several years which I believe was due to the abuses I did to my body, soul and spirit. I don’t admit it was due to ignorance but because of my negligence and stubbornness. I had been a person who loved so much to eat fatty, salty and junk foods. I also smoked a lot until 1982. As a result, I had been having uncontrolled high blood pressure and was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. In addition to that, I had kidney stones, arthritis and a heart attack resulting in my having to undergo multiple heart bypass surgery in 1996. After the terrible heart bypass, I felt better and so I went back to my indiscriminate eating and drinking believing that my health was back to normal though I had to take several maintenance medications. Again, in August 2005, I had another heart attack necessitating an expensive Angioplasty. After the ordeal of those heart attacks, I decided to take control of my health but the temptation to go on eating and drinking anything was so strong. I succumbed to the same habit reasoning out that, anyway, I am taking my medicines religiously. However, despite my daily medications, my blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels remained elevated and worse, I had been having irregular heart beat (arrhythmia) and chest pains such that I had to be put on oxygen.

St. Theodore’s Hospital, thru the initiative of our Medical Director, Dr. Clare A. Lalwet and the support of the staff, started a Health and Wellness Program with a plan of establishing a WELLNESS AND HEALING CENTER. By God’s grace, a fasting enthusiast, Mr. Tom Coghill, who had undergone a health crisis before, came to Sagada looking for a place to put up a detox center. Again, by Divine plan, Dr. Clare met him and since both have similar vision, they agreed to include fasting and detoxification in the Wellness and Holistic Healing Program based at St. Theodore’s Hospital.

One day, Dr. Clare shared me two books written by Tom on diet and juice fasting. I started reading them and was fascinated, so I went on reading until I finished the two books. Believing that the proposed Wellness and Healing Center is a noble program and that it has to start somewhere, I decided to fully participate in the venture and try it.

Progress Report

DAY 1: September 7, 2008, I started my fast drinking only vegetable and fruit juices.

Day 2: I checked my blood pressure and blood glucose and they were low so I did not take my medications and observed for a while. A week before the launching of the program, I shared my experiences with Dr. Clare and Tom and they were so encouraging and supportive so I went on with the juice fasting and tried my best to monitor my blood pressure and blood sugar even without medicines since I decided to forego taking them. Surprisingly, my blood pressure and blood glucose stayed normal. Dr. Clare asked me to share my experience during the launching of the program which I did.

The first few days were like hell especially when I see and smell food on the table. I prayed hard for guidance and strength to resist the temptation. It dawned on me that this is a severe struggle between the mind and body. I experienced hunger, dizziness, acidic taste in the mouth, irregular heart beats, and numbness on my right hand, stomach pain, and sleeplessness. Choosing between health or hell, I chose health and so I continued the fast. I am very happy that my wife and children are very supportive of my struggle to regain my health. As the days went on my wife and children tried to participate by taking juice and small amount of solid food. My wife said, “it is so encouraging when the head of the family starts something good for health.”

DAY 25: My blood pressure and blood glucose remain normal even without my taking medicines. I experience mild arrhythmia and slight chest pain only once in a while unlike before which was everyday and more intense. I lost weight so I feel lighter and move more freely. Even when fasting, I could walk back and forth from my house to the hospital (10 kilometers total distance) without feeling faint. With all the benefits I have experienced, I decided to go on with my juice fasting until I completed thirty days which culminated on October 5, 2008.

After my successful fast, I resumed eating food but in moderation, and as much as possible avoid fatty, salty, sweet foods and drinks. I will eat more raw foods also. I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON and realized the meaning of what the bible said that THE BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Day 30: During and after fast, Fr. Tuguinays claims to be strong, no body weakness or malaise felt. He claims to maintain high energy level. He also reports that his blood sugar levels are in normal range.

Day 40: Weight loss of 11 lbs after 40 days of fasting.

My Juice Mixtures

Pineapples, bananas, apples, persimmons, pechay, squash, water cress, sayote, camote and Dama de Noche shoots, etc. They have different tastes specially when mixed together but I experienced my taste buds made the necessary adjustments. My favorite juice is pineapple, carrots and pechay. I took 1 1/2 liters of juice a day and after 25 days of juice fasting, I lost 7 lbs. of my weight and what matters most is I am happy and healthy.

Post Treatment Diet

85 % of  raw fruits and vegetables, 30% of rice, 5% of wheat bread, 3 % sea fish and 2 % nuts.

Julie Tuguinay (the wife) says:

The effect of my husband’s deteriorating health conditions has been very disturbing, bothersome and very stressful especially when we moved to Bangaan, Sagada in May, 2000, away from the security and accessibility of  St. Luke’s Medical Center in Manila. True indeed, he had a lot of unexplained chest pains, high blood pressure, high sugar and cholesterol levels, back pains and susceptibility to cough and colds– all these led to emotional turmoil making me doubt the medicines he is taking, and even the latest angioplasty he had in 2005. All these we had to endure through the years.

On September 7, 2008, my husband came home with a bag of carrots and a bundle of leafy vegetables and asked me to juice them for his dinner.  While we were eating, he started talking about the book on juice fasting written by Tom Coghill and the Wellness Program that Dr. Lalwet has been contemplating. While he was sharing, deep inside me was a doubt that he will survive with only juices since we have never totally given up meat in our diet despite his health problems. He, himself, insisted on buying frozen chicken frequently despite our efforts to reduce our meat intake.
Days went by and I noticed he was really sincere about his intention to continue his fast. At times, he is beaming with gladness saying that he is surviving with only juice intake and yet maintains normal heart rate, blood pressure, level of blood sugar which he monitors every morning, and with minimized chest pains.
He momentarily put aside all his medicines while maintaining his fruit and vegetable juices. On the 10th day of his fast, we listed all the medicines he is taking and the costs. To our surprise, we saved P3,325.00 in 10 days!

Having gone through all these experiences myself, I have arrived at a more intelligent understanding of the purpose and meaning of my life: That I have a special role to play in the restoration of my husband’s health and preventive measures for the whole family. This fruit and vegetable fasting opened new hope which I have been searching in the past through my prayers. I have been fervently asking God to lead us the way to an alternative healing and here it is—FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE FASTING. Whatever are the principles behind, I strongly believe they cure, they heal, they restore one’s emotional, physical and psychological well being.

As I reflect through life with my husband as a heart patient survivor, I can clearly see the workings of the hand of the unseen director in the drama of life. I can see how God holds the destinies of faithful believers, how he plans for each life but at the same time permit us to exercise the POWER WITHIN US to make decisions for our health.

Reverend Tuguinay Acknowledgements

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank God, Dr. Clare, Tom, the STH staff, and my wife and family for their prayers, encouragement, support and care for my struggle to go on JUICE FASTING. Praise the Lord!

Medication Report

These medications were taken before fasting, since 1979 for Blood Pressure and 1996 Cardiovascular Disease. Amiodarone 400 mg, Simvastatin, Imdur, Solosa, Metformin, Aspilet, Candesartan, Metoprolol, Glymiperide, Elecoxib 200 mg, Vitamin E and Coenzyme.  After treatment, the patient is medication free.

Arrhythmias Report

I experienced arrhythmias 2 to 3 times a day before I started juice fasting. So during fasting, it decreased to 1 to 2 times for the first three days. On the 7th to 25th days of fasting, I experienced arrhythmia once in a while; and on the 30th to the 40th day, I did not experience any arrhythmia.

Diabetes Type II Report

In 1996, i was diagnosed of Diabetes. I am not sure whether insulin deficient or resistant.Some factors that leads to diabetes is unhealthy life styles and habits, thus meat and rice increases diabetes.

Blood Pressure Report

Before fasting, my blood pressure averages from 170/110mmHg, 120/80mmHg to 160/100mmHg while I am taking Candesartan to help lower down my blood pressure. During and after fasting, my blood pressure averages from 110/70mmHg to 120/80mmHg.

Blood Cholesterol Report

In the earlier part of 2008 before fasting,  I had an increase in blood cholesterol levels ranging from 80 – 290 mg/dl while taking my medicines (Simvastatin). During and after fasting without medications, refer to the laboratory results below for September and October.

Diagnostics:

Date: September 26, 2008

Physician: Dr. Lao, Paul LAM SUN

Days of Fasting: 25 days

xxx

Date: October 26, 2008

Physician: Dr. Clare Lalwet

Days of Fasting: 40 days   (Note: Non fasting blood sample, meaning, I ate breakfast before blood was taken)

Arthritis Report

Way back 1982, I had joint arthritis wherein i experienced pain on both my upper and lower extremities (feet and hands) extending to my lower back. However it occurs once in a while. Additional cause for pain is bad and cold weather. For treatment, i was prescribed to take arthritis medications. Unhealthy lifestyle contributes to it, such as eating foods rich in uric acid like beans and other legumes,  internal organs of animals, meat. So I stopped taking these types of food. This helped a lot, improving my condition.

Kidney Report

I had no operation for kidney stones. In 1993 and 1997,  I had a Laser Treatment, 2 times for both left and right kidneys after each ultrasound respectively.

Post Treatment Report of Dr. Clare Lalwet

Working with Fr. Moreno in the hospital and knowing of his medical history and recurring health problems, I was concerned that, at anytime, he might just collapse and we would not be able to revive him. It’s like having a walking time bomb around that could suddenly go off. Looking at him now, I am amazed. The transformation from a sickly man to a beaming, positively hopeful one, free of all those health problems which have plagued him through the years is simply remarkable – and all achieved without taking any drugs, just juice fasting for a month. For a physician trained in conventional medicine, this is an eye opener. This may be the first clinical evidence of a successful recovery from chronic disease in a medical hospital due natural therapeutic procedures. His recovery is complete and I believe that with proper diet, the treatment has eliminated maintenance medications for hypertension and diabetes. This success story validates that fasting with raw juices accelerates the process of healing and when combined with nutritional therapy becomes an effective natural treatment that can be integrated into normal hospital procedures for the treatment of chronic disease.

Case Evaluation – Dr. Penelope Domogo

I am the Provincial Health Officer I, of the Provincial Health Office, Bontoc, Mountain Province. I have known Rev. Tuguinay and his medical history for many years. His recovery through this juice fasting treatment is simply amazing. This proves that the body has tremendous capacity to heal itself if it’s natural healing powers are harnessed and enhanced with natural juices. Our health records show an increase of degenerative diseases in Bontoc and Mountain Province over the last 27 years with the introduction of the Western Diet. The significance of this treatment is that it is accessible to everybody especially those who cannot afford expensive conventional medical care and empowers patients and communities to take control of their health. This will go a long way in achieving our country’s Millennium Development Goals of alleviating poverty, disease and suffering.

___________________________________________________________________

CASE ANALYSIS

40-DAY JUICE FASTING TREATMENT & HYPOTHESIS OF CURATIVE RESULTS

Patient: Reverend M. Tuguinay, Oct 14 -2008

Out patient of St. Theodore’s Hospital,
Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

By Tom Coghill, Director of Research
St. Theodore’s Hospital

The above documentation and primary diagnosis and lab testing were conducted by third party doctors and laboratories to verify this as a legitimate claim of recovery from chronic disease. The juices used during the therapy were locally grown. The nutritive and chemical nature of the produce was untested.

Hypothesis on the Symptoms of the First Three Days of Detoxification

Rev Tuguinay stated that he experienced hunger, dizziness, an “acidic taste in the mouth”, irregular heart beats, and numbness on his right hand, stomach pain, and sleeplessness during the first few days of treatment. One possible explanation for the symptoms of the first three days could be theorized from the strong acidic taste in the mouth that was described.
Ketosis is a state in metabolism occurring when the liver excessively converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies which can be used by the body for energy. The three ketone bodies are acetoacetic acid, beta-hydroxybutyric and acetone (the active ingredient in nail polish remover). The exhalation of acetone is responsible for the characteristic “fruity” odor of the breath or acid taste in the mouth of persons in a state of ketosis.
A strong acidic taste in the mouth would indicate a rapid conversion of fats to ketones, this may have occurred due to reduced glycogen storage in the liver. Normally, glycogen stores in the liver and muscles can last for one or two days in combination with juice but Rev Tuguinay may have had very low levels of liver and muscle glycogen and high levels of fatty acids in the blood due to Type 2 Diabetes. This may have caused a 3-day period of ketosis. The dizziness, irregular heart beats, and numbness on his right hand, stomach pain, and sleeplessness could have been caused by the excess of ketone bodies that would disrupt cellular metabolism. By the third day these symptoms disappear implying the body had entered a balanced state of catabolism and that homeostasis was reestablished.

Type 2 Diabetes, Background

Type 2 Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is primarily characterized by insulin resistance, relative insulin deficiency, and hyperglycemia. It is rapidly increasing in the last 30 years in the Philippines due to a cultural change toward Western eating habits to the point of becoming epidemic and is now increasingly seen in children and adolescents. Complex and multifactorial metabolic changes caused by Diabetes Type 2 often lead to damage and function impairment of many organs, most importantly the cardiovascular system.
Insulin resistance is the condition in which normal amounts of insulin are inadequate to produce a normal insulin response from fat, muscle and liver cells. Insulin resistance (IR) in fat cells reduces the effects of insulin and results in elevated hydrolysis of stored triglycerides elevating free fatty acids in the blood plasma which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Type 2 Diabetes Recovery, Hypothesis

We do not know if Rev Tuguinay’s Type 2 Diabetes was caused by insulin resistance or relative insulin deficiency or a combination of both. This successful treatment indicates that either the pancreas recovered its ability to produce sufficient insulin for the post treatment diet, or the insulin resistance was healed at a cellular level or both conditions were healed simultaneously.

Type 2 Diabetes Recovery, Medical Implications

The recovery of the metabolic processes of the cells of the body or the pancreas, indicate that many degenerative disease conditions could be addressed effectively by a juice fasting therapy.

Arrhythmias Background

Cardiac arrhythmia is a term for any of a large and heterogeneous group of conditions in which there is abnormal electrical activity in the heart. The heart beat may be too fast or too slow, and may be regular or irregular. Each heart beat originates as an electrical impulse from a small area of tissue in the right atrium of the heart called the sinus node. The impulse initially causes both of the atria to contract, then activates the atrioventricular (or AV) node which is normally the only electrical connection between the atria and the ventricles or main pumping chambers. The impulse then spreads through both ventricles via the His Purkinje fibres causing a synchronized contraction of the heart muscle, and thus, the pulse. During Cardiac arrhythmia, the normal electrical activity in the heart breaks down disrupting the synchronized contractions needed for normal activity.

Arrhythmias Recovery, Hypothesis 1

If the heart muscles of Rev Tuguinay were not getting sufficient glucose for normal operation due to insulin resistance or deficiency and being forced to function with the extra demands of pumping blood with increased plasma viscosity due to elevated levels of fatty acids in the blood that could have been the root cause of the arrhythmias. When the root cause of the diabetes was addressed the arrhythmias stopped.

Arrhythmias Recovery, Hypothesis 2

The nerve pathway was damaged or disrupted and during the juice fasting treatment the catabolism reestablished normal nerve function.

Arrhythmias Recovery, Medical Implications

If the healing of arrhythmias was due to nerve function being restored allowing normal electrical conduction within the heart, this could indicate that many disease of the nervous system may be positively affected by prolonged juice fasting therapy.

Hypercholesterolemia Background

Hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol) is the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It is not a disease but a metabolic derangement that can be secondary to many diseases and can contribute to many forms of disease, most notably cardiovascular disease.
Elevated cholesterol in the blood is due to abnormalities in the levels of lipoproteins, the particles that carry cholesterol in the bloodstream. This may be related to diet, genetic factors (such as LDL receptor mutations in familial hypercholesterolemia) and the presence of other diseases such as diabetes and an under active thyroid. The type of hypercholesterolemia depends on which type of particle (such as low density lipoprotein) is present in excess.

Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is chronically elevated. Hypertension can be classified either essential or secondary. Essential hypertension indicates that no specific medical cause can be found to explain a patient’s condition. Secondary hypertension indicates that the high blood pressure is a result of (i.e., secondary to) another condition, such as kidney disease or tumors. Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic renal failure. Even moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure leads to shortened life expectancy. Although no specific medical cause can be determined in essential hypertension, it often has several contributing factors such as obesity, salt sensitivity, insulin resistance, genetics, and age.

Hypertension Recovery, Hypothesis 1

The insulin resistance may have been the root cause of the hypertension and when the metabolic disruption was restored to healthy metabolism, blood pressure reduced.

Hypertension Reduction, Hypothesis 2

Reduced plasma viscosity in a bloodstream free of digestive particles (fatty acid and proteins) flows through the veins and arteries more easily thereby reducing blood pressure.

Hypertension Reduction, Hypothesis 3

There is less available glucose available for the heart muscles and it reduces the pumping force to reduce energy consumption.

Hypertension Reduction, Hypothesis 4

The blood become more alkali due to the juices and the zeta potential of the blood is changed making the protein and fatty acids that are being transported less sticky.

Hypertension Reduction, Hypothesis 5

By the third day, the body has used up all fatty acids and proteins that were in the blood following digestion and the body entered “Catabolism Phase 2″, the utilization of body fat for fuel. The body has mechanisms that are triggered to conserve energy and one of the effects of that mechanism is lowered blood pressure.

Hypertension Reduction, Hypothesis 6

The absence of all dietary cholesterol would reduce blood cholesterol levels. The lowering of blood lipid levels due to the juice fasting treatment would also decrease blood cholesterol levels. We hope the medical records of Rev Tuguinay indicate the type of cholesterol that was found in the blood. At the present we are not sure. Further cholesterol testing with a long-term study will determine if the Hypercholesterolemia is permanently cured.

Medical Implications of Hypertension Reduction

We have several case studies of lower hypertension that if replicated, could be the foundation for creating evidence-based treatment models that could be further refined through phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trails for successful integration with standardized medical procedures to reduce post-op complications due to post-operative embolism and deep vein thrombosis. Lowered blood pressure would reduce postoperative hemorrhaging following postoperative increase in blood pressure. It appears that of the 6 patients with hypertension presently in treatment at St. Theodore’s Hospital, all of them have indicated normalization within 3 days of juice fasting.

Post -Treatment Diet

The diet that is being followed includes fresh juices, no fried foods or processed oils, no refined starches or sugars and more fresh fruits and vegetables eaten in several small meals throughout the day. This diet is optimum for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, cardio vascular health and minimum insulin demands. Rev Tuguinay is designing his diet with these guidelines and will be posting progress updates.

Case Study End Note

We are seeking comments on this research by skilled professionals. Please sign in at the top right of this page and post your questions and comments. As far as we know, this is the first medically documented successful treatment of therapeutic juice fasting conducted by a hospital. The above case study is a primary hypothesis by Tom Coghill and will be adjusted as new information becomes available.

Moreno Lindawan Tuguinay +639282536910

Email: binwag061543@yahoo.com

St. Theodore’s Hospital
Sagada, Mountain Province
2619 Philippines
Hospital Contact +639215353032

Email: sagadahospital@gmail.com
http://sagadahospital.com

Juice and water fasting 40 days.
Weight loss 100lbs.

Roughly four years ago I was 60 pounds overweight and very sick from intestinal toxicity and a liver condition that was getting worse.

Also suffered from deep depression and spent most of my time in isolation and bitterness. One day I started fasting basically out of desperation, but was consumed by horrible withdrawal symptoms before I could finish even eight hours without solid food.

I was puzzled by the bad breath, white-sticky tongue, metallic taste and dizziness that I experienced. Research later led me to the realization that the symptoms were a reflection of just how toxic my body and digestive system had become.

In an ultimate low, I received the grace, strength and resolve to launch a 40-day water fast. It was very hard and painful – especially during the first 11 days of cleansing and detoxification. But I was reborn.

Fasting for weight loss, health and fitness has changed my life. It worked when traditional diets did not. I realized that, as long as I kept putting food in my body, I was not giving it the opportunity to cleanse from all the toxicity that had built up over the years.

My complete lack of control with food was a problem that only fasting was able to break. It forced me to navigate through the pains and discomfort of cleansing and detoxification.

Only then did the chains of food slavery break and I was led to freedom.

Once the fasting was over, I found – to my astonishment- that I was no longer willing to just put anything in my mouth. The sacrifice of fasting and cleansing gave me a new perspective on food.

This new perspective, in turn, gave me a fresh sense of discipline that had otherwise eluded me. In short, for me diets did not work because, in reality, what I needed was to stop eating altogether for a season so my body could clean itself.

I tried all the diets, believe me. Yet I only grew fatter and more frustrated. Each failure usually restored me to the previous undesired weight and added another 10 to 20 pounds to boot.

Later I realized that, at least for me, fasting and cleansing had to come BEFORE or could expect to stick to any particular diet – no matter how good it was.

Having lost nearly 100 pounds through juice and water fasting, I now dedicate myself to helping others interested in improving their health through this amazing, life-giving discipline. I am here to be of service in any way I can!

Best Regards,
Robert D Johnston
Owner of
http://fitnessthroughfasting.com

If I can be of service or help you in your fasting and detoxification path, do not hesitate to visit my site.

By Tom Coghill of Fasting.ws Articles  may be copied or reproduced as long as the back links to fasting.ws are intact and the author’s name is included.

Juice Fasting Testimony 21 days:
Weight Loss: 21lbs.
Healed:caffeine addiction, high blood pressure
Location: Oshawa, ON, Canada

It started like any other conversation. I was in the gym working on the shoulder press when this guy asked if he could “work in” with me. I recognized him as a friend whom I had gone to school with 20 years earlier. He looked fit and trim. We got talking about health and food additives. Although I professed how bad they were, I ate without discrimination. I found it difficult, if not impossible, to control my eating as I kept falling into the old bad habits. I had tried but it always felt like I was forcing myself.

After the workout, I had the chance to talk to Tom in the sauna, where he told me he had co-authored a book about nutrition and fasting. Being open-minded, I asked if I could read it, and later that night I started to read his book.

Some nutritional points I already knew, but the things I didn’t know started to blow me away. The causes of disease made sense. I bought a juicer, made fresh juice, and stared eating less. I even stopped drinking my five or six coffees per day. To my surprise, it was easier than I thought.

The first thing I noticed was the effect of the caffeine withdrawal. For the first two weeks I was lethargic, wanting to sleep constantly. The second thing I noticed was the weight loss. I was losing half a pound per day. As time went on, I felt better and better. There were times when I felt incredible surges of energy. Yet, I didn’t always feel like a million bucks. Occasionally I felt bad and thought “this can’t be doing any good.” Luckily, I persevered to reap the benefits.

A highlight was a trip to the doctor. Upon examining my blood pressure, the doctor took a second look at the readings and said,” I don’t know what you are doing, but whatever it is, keep it up.”

I am no longer tired by climbing one flight of stairs. Instead, I bounce up them two at a time. In fact I can exercise for 50 minutes on the stair climber. In losing 20 lbs. of excess weight, I now weigh the same as when I was in high school. I have permanently given up drinking coffee. (My wife says I am easier to live with.) I try to make fresh juice daily, and eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

I don’t live the diet perfectly. Once, I had the tremendous urge to eat a pizza. Rather than fighting with myself, I allowed myself to enjoy it without guilt. Surprisingly, I was satisfied with only two pieces. Normally I would have eaten six or more slices.

In closing, I want to say that I am happy I took the time to pursue this path, and appreciate Tom’s reassurance and insight whenever I called for help. I have no trouble endorsing Tom’s book, his knowledge, and commitment.

By Tom Coghill of Fasting.ws Articles  may be copied or reproduced as long as the back links to fasting.ws are intact and the author’s name is included.

Juice Fasted: 40 days
Weight Loss: 27lbs

Fasting Testimony by the author.
Juice Fasting: 30 days
Healing: Kidney & liver damage, leg muscle spasms, tiredness, loss of sex drive, poor memory, depression.
Location: Oshawa, ON Canada

Some of us are born different. And the difference can be both a burden and blessing. I was born a risk-taker. I wanted to try it all. I peddled across Canada on an old bike, camping at the side of the road. I tried bungee jumping, and lived in a nudist colony on a tropical island. As a teen I was free spirited, but not free. At sixteen years of age, disillusioned and hurt, I began the dangerous journey of exploring psychedelic drugs. A bad L.S.D. trip resulted in constant, excruciating headaches. To deal with the pain, I started to use painkillers, tranquilizers, cannabis and alcohol. Five hazy years of my life were devoted to escaping pain through drugs.

I become more reckless in my drug use. With callous disregard for my life, I injected a syringe full of P.C.P. It was a dangerous dose. This injection severely damaged my kidneys, increasing my pain level. Anger and self-hatred turned to hardened resentment. I hated the world, but I had no one to blame but me.

In my dismal existence my short-term memory was nonexistent, my skin was a sickly yellow. I was constantly tired. My kidneys burned with pain, my leg muscles would spasm and ache while standing. As my job required working on ladders for long hours, I lost my job!

Finally, with no other way out, I got down on my knees in prayer and surrendered my life to God. The song of angels was heard in my heart. I would never be the same. A son had discovered his true Father. Everything changed. I had a burning fire inside. I had purpose, meaning and connection for the first time. I started a new exploration of the spiritual world. Joining a Christian youth group, I made new friends who did not use drugs and supported me through my recovery. I used my experience to help others not go down the same path. I spoke before thousands of students in high schools about the dangers of drug abuse. Many made commitments to stop using drugs.

Life now had meaning and purpose, but my body and soul was still damaged. I was still sick.

One day I discovered a book describing how a dying man had returned to health. Not only had he overcome a fatal illness through a strict vegetarian diet and fasting, his new found health surpassed the vitality of his youth. For me, the message shouted out “hope!” I fasted on juices made from carrot, cucumber, watermelon, and cantaloupe. After several short fasts, I felt better physically and mentally. These juice fasts, three to seven days each, gave me the ability to work, but I was still tired standing on ladders caused intense pain in my legs.

A thirty-day juice fast was the turning point in my life. The first few days were difficult, but as I continued I felt much better. At the twentieth day of the fast, I started working fourteen hours a day at hard physical labor in the hottest summer weather. I climbed the ladders with ease. My energy level drastically increased.

There were other improvements as the fast went on. I needed less sleep, my mind cleared, and my memory was now functioning. Leg muscles returned to health, and back pain lessened due to the healing of my kidneys, leaving me a virile young man.

Life changed! Instead of suffering, it became a joyous experience. The healing came like water to a parched, drought-stricken heart. The thirty days of fasting on juice was a miracle that changed my life.

I started to write to help friends who had health problems. Although I could not spell or type, and had almost no writing skills, a burning passion kept me going. I wrote for three years, and yet the writing was missing Christ. It became like emptiness inside. Then the Lord called me to go north and spend time alone in the wilderness.

The campground was empty; it was too late in the fall for camping. In the back of the truck I was trying to keep warm with a small heater. My heart was agonizing over splitting up with a woman I deeply loved.

Three days had gone by, I was weak, cold, and distraught. Still, there was no answer from God. I decided to go for a drive around the lake. It was on this drive that I met the people whom the Lord had sent. Their words rekindled my vision, my hope renewed. The answer was given!

In looking back to my discovery of fasting, I see that it was not an accident. The people who have had such profound effect on my life have not been there by coincidence. There is clear evidence of the Master’s hand. I could say fasting has given me back health and vitality, but healing is a God-given ability; fruits and vegetables are God-given foods, and fasting is a God-given tool. Yes, I did it; I healed and even wrote a book on fasting, but in reality, a small child put the pieces into a jigsaw puzzle as his Father handed him the pieces.

By Tom Coghill of Fasting.ws Articles  may be copied or reproduced as long as the back links to fasting.ws are intact and the author’s name is included.

Gray Hodge Fasting Testimony (Christian)
Juice Fast: 30 days.
Weight Loss: 26.5 lbs.
Healed: arthritis, continual colds, bowel problems, poor health.
Location: Tasmania

At the age of 21, I was a strict vegetarian and very involved in healthy diet and living. Three years later I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and a year later met a wonderful Christian girl whom I married and have to date enjoyed 24 years of happy marriage. We continued healthful living for some time, but decided to return to eating meat because of a perception, or misconception, that it was more in harmony with the Biblical diet.

As the years rolled on and five children later our diet, while largely vegetarian was beginning to be compromised with a carelessness when it came to processed foods and takeaways (fast food). Without the hard work and exercise of my former years the weight was now building up and getting rid of it seemed impossible.

Quite suddenly I began to experience a lot of pain when walking; it was arthritis in my knees. This was combined with continual colds, bowel problems, added weight, and general poor health. But hey, I was approaching 50, time to slow down and accept that I was not as young as I used to be! Or was it?

The doctor said “just take pain killers and get on with you life”, that to me was unacceptable so I began to seek natural alternatives.

I was not new to fasting, over the years I had read Airola a lot, and completed several 3-10 day fasts. Longer fasts seemed to me to be in the realm of extremism, but on the other hand I could see myself heading for greater health problems if I didn’t act soon.

Exactly how I found Fasting.ws I’m not sure about, guess I was searching, and as Jesus promised I found! Suddenly here was the solution that somehow spoke to heart as being God way of healing. As I began reading the testimonies on the website, I saw that fasting and vegetarian or even vegan lifestyles were not the exclusive domain of New Agers, Seventh-Day Adventists and hippies. On the contrary, the miracle of Eden food was very much an expression of love from the Creator for His creation to bring peace and joy to the body as well as the soul.

On the 27th of August 2001 I began a 30 day juice fast. I didn’t actually plan to do 30 days, it seemed impossible to even think of. I just began and thought I’d see where it went.

The fast was trouble free and relatively easy so I just kept going.
On day 27 of the fast my family decided to climb a local mountain, I thought it would be a challenge and to my joy I made it to the top and down, a task previously impossible, there was some pain but not as much as expected.

The knees were being healed as never before!

By the end of the fast I was feeling a new man and had lost 26.5 lbs.
Following a suggestion on the Fasting.ws site I followed up with 30 days of raw food. Before that was up my pain was gone, I was feeling 10 years younger and really enjoying a healthier diet, so I decided to stay with it.
What I removed almost 100% from my diet was meat and all animal products including dairy, and processed foods as much as possible. This was the diet that seemed fringe to me before, but how could I deny the results? More importantly, I was also keeping the weight off for good.

On Jan. 1st 2002 a friend of mine wanted to do a 30 day juice fast so I joined him, off again! This time I lost a further 17.5 lbs., and kept it off through raw foods.

My desire for junk food and all that I had given up was mostly gone, just the odd temptation comes up.

In all I am 44 lbs. lighter, healthier than I have been in years and enjoying exercise, good food and praising our Wonderful Creator.

My abiding concern is that God people are for the most part ignorant of the provision God has made for their healing in the miracle of fasting. I believe that we should be in the forefront of the battle against Satan darkness to offer the unsaved, God’s healing of body, soul and spirit.

I’m grateful for Tom and Fasting.ws and the inspiration you have been.

By Tom Coghill of Fasting.ws Articles  may be copied or reproduced as long as the back links to fasting.ws are intact and the author’s name is included.

Raw Diet Testimony (Christian): Paul Reid
Healed: Chronic fatigue, colds, chest infections, lymphoma.

I had been suffering from chronic fatigue for a number of years. I also suffered from colds and chest infections, which lingered on for months, sometimes requiring up to five courses of antibiotics to regain health.
In December 1996 I went for a CT scan which showed probable lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. Although suffering from a persistent cough, and in no condition to undergo surgery, I was strongly urged by the specialist to undergo diagnostic surgery as soon as possible. This was to find out the exact type of lymphoma so that appropriate treatment could be given.

My wife and I were given much confidence by the specialist, who assured us that 90% of all lymphoma cases are completely curable by chemotherapy. Because most cases of lymphoma are aggressive, and fast moving, diagnostic surgery seemed fairly urgent. This would involve removal of some lymph nodes deep down within the abdomen, which we were told would be a fairly ‘tricky’ operation.

Shortly after Christmas we were given the name of a health retreat in Queensland run by naturopaths. The retreat, Living Valley Springs, offered short term live-in sessions involving fasting, colonic cleansing and natural therapy. At the same time we were reading as much information as we could get our hands on about natural therapy.

Despite strong opposition from the cancer specialist, I decided to cancel my diagnostic operation, scheduled for January, and instead go for 9 days of natural therapy. On returning home, there was no sign of the cough, and I felt much rejuvenated. As I continued with a strict diet and food supplements, as recommended by Living Valley Springs, my health continued to improve. We were gaining more and more confidence in natural therapy. We were also greatly encouraged by our local Christian naturopath who supplied herbal tonics and much valuable information.

Additionally, I went for prayer at a Christian church where I received a strong visitation from the Holy Spirit, experiencing waves of warmth and ‘electricity’ flowing through my body for half an hour. Three people from the church, including the pastor, had a strong impression that I would be healed. This was to be a great source of encouragement later, when I experienced times of despair and depression. Each time of depression presented a battle which I had to fight with determination, holding on to the promise of life through faith in God, rather than focusing on the prospect of terminal illness.

Later in February I had a call, out of the blue, from the cancer specialist who explained that it was imperative that l submit myself for diagnostic surgery because there was a strong chance that the lymphoma was aggressive. I finally decided to go for the surgery. I was now feeling much stronger and able to face it. The surgery involved seven days in hospital, five of those days on an intravenous drip of saline solution. This was a fairly traumatic experience but I made a good recovery. I returned immediately to the strict diet and supplements.

Two weeks after the surgery we were called to discuss the results. Much to everyone’s surprise, I was not in the 90% of curable lymphoma cases. I had a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, (small-cell follicular), for which there was no medical cure. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were ineffective on this type of cancer. The cancer was said to be fairly slow growing, which meant I had approximately four to seven years to live.

Instead of being shocked by the news, we were relieved. By this time we had done enough research on natural therapy to know that chemo and radiotherapy were not the only way. In fact we were relieved to be free from making the decision on which way to go. Because my cancer was slow growing, it meant that there was time for natural therapy to work. We also believed in the healing power of a mighty God who was working for us!

We continued to believe that God would heal by both natural and supernatural means. For me, obedience to a strict healthy diet, and making use of the healing properties in God’s creation, played as much importance as our faith in the supernatural Creator. One year after diagnosis, I was no longer suffering from chronic fatigue. The occasional cold was thrown off within a week without resorting to antibiotics. In fact I have had no need of any antibiotics since starting on natural therapy. I was now feeling better than he had felt in five years!

Eighteen months after the diagnosis of the lymphoma, I decided to visit my cancer specialist to report my amazing good health. A physical examination showed that the spleen was quite normal and not swollen as it was previously. Neither was there any swelling of the lymph nodes. The specialist advised that there was no need for another CT scan, which involved some degree of exposure to radioactivity. The physical evidence was enough!

We have much to thank the Lord for: His guidance, wisdom and healing power.

With permission fasting.ws

By Tom Coghill of Fasting.ws Articles  may be copied or reproduced as long as the back links to fasting.ws are intact and the author’s name is included.

Juice Fasting Testimony: 17 days
Weight Loss: 21 lbs.
Healed: stomach reflex disease, skin problems
Location: Whitby, ON, Canada.

A friend of mine was tackling a 21-day fast with vegetable and fruit juices from a book she had read. I wanted to see the author of the book to get more information, as I still wasn’t sure of the concept. His experience and enthusiasm convinced me.

The fast was not for my physical appearance, but to pray for the burdens of those I loved. I felt suffering in the church and in my home. Even before the fast I felt satanic opposition against it. In bed, I felt a force push down on me trying to kill me, but pleading the blood of Christ the feeling left me. On the first day of the fast, I saw a WOLF. Yes! A real wolf and I live in the city. I even called one of the children to see it. It was staring at my house. It gave me the chills. Once again I prayed and it also left. These strange events firmly convinced me I was supposed to fast.

I prayed for my church and witnessed the power of the Lord move in our pastor on the Friday night service. The service was on fire; people were singing glorious praises to God. Two young boys got baptized.

On the second day of the fast the Lord spoke to me. (JOEL 2:12-13) “Therefore also sayeth the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and weeping, and with mourning. And rend your heart, and not your garment, and turn unto the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentethHim of the evil.”

By the third day I felt terrific. I was at peace; my four children would be loud but I was at peace, nothing could bother me. As the fast progressed it became easier. I had more energy, I was on a spiritual high, singing and rejoicing. One morning I woke up with severe gas cramps in my stomach. The cramps were so bad I thought I would end up in the hospital, but after 10 minutes the cramps went away. One day I went through a dip and felt low in spirit but that was it; the next day I was fine.

At the end of the 17-day fast, a physical problem was gone. My doctor had told me I had a stomach reflex disease and would have to take pills for the rest of my life, but after the fast I no longer had that disease; I was completely healed. I had arthritis in my left knee; it was also gone. I also lost 21 pounds of excess fat. Before fasting, my skin was dry it cleared up.

To me, fasting is a way of drawing me closer to God and being able to lean on Him. When I was weak, He made me strong.

By Tom Coghill of Fasting.ws Articles  may be copied or reproduced as long as the back links to fasting.ws are intact and the author’s name is included.