Fasting FAQ
If you are getting ready for your first fast you need the simplified version of how to fast. Fasting basics to get you started. This fasting FAQ was written at St. Theordore’s Hospital of Sagada. The results of therapeutic fasting have been astonishing; functional cellular recovery in patients over 70 years old. Many of these patients had been taking medication for over 15 years. They have experienced restoration to complete health with only 30 days of treatment while also becoming medication free. Almost every disease condition affecting the Philippines is responding to treatment. The photo is of Juan Liswig a patient at St. Theodore’s Hospital who underwent a 50 day juice fasting program to overcome terminal bone cancer and prostate cancer, supervised by Tom Coghill and Dr. Clare Lalwet. One year later, Jaun, states his health is excellent.
Although fasting in a hospital for treatment of disease is new, fasting has been used through the the centuries. Over the last 50 years, fasting for disease treatment has gained some popularity due to authors such as Rudolph Breuss from Germany who authored Breuss Cancer Cure. He reported to have cured 40,000 patients with cancer and other incurable diseases by prescribing one litre of vegetable juice daily.
Fasting Audios
The following questions are answered in depth on the audios. Each part is about 15 minutes each. This is Tom Coghill with Daniel Billman who was a guest at Tom Detox Sagada.
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Fasting FAQ Part One
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Fasting FAQ Part Two
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Fasting FAQ Part Three
Fasting FAQ
What is juice fasting?
Drinking only fresh juices from a juice extractor and herbal tea sweetened with honey or Mascobado sugar. NO food, milk or coffee. Eating of any food completely stops the process of healing. The treatment heals through several metabolic processes such as catabolism where the body breaks down dead, diseased and dying tissue for fuel. The fresh juices boost immune performance and supply the building blocks for complete cellular regeneration. Fasting allows your inner doctor to do His work. Without digestion the body cleans the hundreds of trillions of cells of the body. With each day, the cleansing deepens and become more thorough.
Why should I fast?
Some fast for spiritual reason that is outlined in the Bible. Many fast to increase athletic performance, weight loss or healing. Fasting is a vacation from stress and a time of healing. It can be a powerful catalyst for profound change. Fasting can be a health tune up performed ever few months or yearly. In addition to curing disease this 30 day treatment has other benefits. Clear sinuses that can smell a delicate fragrance; sensitive skin that shivers with the caress of a warm breeze; emotions that become a symphony to the soul; and a mind that can capture the profound depths of God and glimpse the joy of Adam and Eve. Instead of becoming old and sick with the coming years, you will age gracefully and be amazed at how young you feel. Hitting forty and fifty years old, life has just begun. A few more wrinkles but feeling like twenty. Fasting is the reset button that takes you back to who you really are. It gives you time to be at peace and find yourself. Fasting can be a catalyst to lifestyle transformation.
TYPES OF FAST
Water Fasting
Water fasting is the most commonly known fast and has been practice since man’s earliest history. 
Water fasting is mentioned often in the Bible as a way to get God’s attention. It is also the most difficult as the body must catabolise (break down fat) at the maximum rate releasing toxins that can cause weakness, dizziness, headaches and nausea. Water fasting is less effective than juice fasting for healing but periodic water fasting during a juice fasting can increase healing. Read More on Water Fasting>>>
Fasting with Mascobado sugar and lemon water (hot or cold).
This is similar to water fasting but the lemon assists the cleansing and the natural vitamins and minerals in the Mascobado boost the immune system. The natural sugars also reduce the cleansing rate to make the fast more comfortable. Generally with this fast we see some cellular regeneration and a reduction of symptoms but rarely complete cellular regeneration. With the addiction of cayenne pepper to the juice or tea it becomes the Master Cleanse.
Master Cleanse
The master cleanse has been used by thousand of people globally. The Master Cleanse, also known as the Lemon Cleanse and the Maple Syrup Diet, is a dieting program created by Stanley Burroughs in 1941.
Juice Fasting
Juice fasting has proven effective results in cellular regeneration. Juice fasting with herbs and pharmaceutical grade supplement is the ultimate therapeutic agent that consistently assists cleansing, and healing through cellular regeneration. It is a safe, effective, inexpensive treatment that can be performed at home. With trained medical professionals guiding the treatment, life threatening disease and terminal cancer can be addressed with minimum risk without damage to the body and 
immune system by toxic medications. With a short juice fast before and after surgery, post op-complications can be greatly reduced as blood pressure is lowered and the immune response increased. Parasitic, bacterial, fungal and viral infections can be totally cured with less organ damage and less antibiotics (if needed) without recurrence as the immune system was enhanced by the treatment. Read More on Juice Fasting >>>
Fruit fasting or eating only fruit
This is and excellent way to detox the body. Good for children that are sick or people who have difficulty in fasting. This method heals the body but the rate is slower and less thorough than juice fasting. The treatment duration is three times longer than juice fasting, requiring 90 days of eating only fruit for permanent healing. It is not effective for cancer, parasitic, bacterial, fungal or viral infections. A fruit diet can reduce of symptoms and pain within 5 days.
Read More on Detoxification>>>
STATES OF DETOXIFICATION
Cleansing Crisis
A period lasting 1 to 3 days when the body is dumping large amounts of toxins into the blood causing headaches, bad breath, coated tongue, muscle aches, mental fog, restless, tiredness and lack of motivation. The worse cleansing crisis can be within the first 3 days. Once it passes the body enters a fasting peak. A cleansing crisis can occur at any time of the fast. When enduring a cleansing crisis, it is important to remind yourself that the bad feeling is caused by toxins leaving the body. Every time you pee, your body is getting cleaner and cleaner. A clean cell is a healthy cell.
Fasting Peak
The state is incredible, mental clarity, sensitive skin, deep breathing, clear sinuses and increased sense of smell and taste.
High energy levels and a feeling of youth that is truly indescribable. They usually occur after a cleansing crisis and increase in quality and energy the longer you fast. The ultimate fasting peaks are after 21 days. Some have weeks in this state others only experience a “peak” after breaking the fast. Read More on Fasting Peak>>>
Normal Fasting State:
This state has many variables and cannot be predicted. Some people feel normal for the entire fast. Others feel good but with low energy. Some become highly energetic for the entire fast. Some have cycles of high and low energy levels. In general the longer you fast, the healthier and more energetic you feel.
How to begin?
Slow down, study and ask questions. Fasting is a science and knowledge precedes success.
Step 2:
Buy a juicer and learn how to make the juices you enjoy.
Step 3:
Try to find a fasting partner for support.
Step 4:
Prepare yourself mentally by telling yourself that you can do this and you will get the results you seek.
Step 5:
Start juice fasting. Most people find it easy once the get started.
Step 6:
Use the enema to cleanse the colon on the first day of the fast.
Step 7:
Continue fasting until your body heals.
What is the best juicer?
Juicers start at about P2000. These juicers will work fine. 
There is no difference in the quality of the juice. The juicers that cost between P4000 to P6000 have a larger opening in the top and it make juicing less work as you can put in vegetables whole without cutting. We recommend the more expensive juicer as it is an investment in your health.
Why can’t I eat?
When you eat your immune system must dedicate all resources to clean the blood after digestion. 
As soon as you stop eating, your body starts to cleanse and repair. A few people on the program have stated that they are not healing and when asked, are you eating? The response is yes. Eating will stop cellular regeneration. If you must eat, only eat small amounts of fruit.
How long should I fast?
Five days a great tune up. Fourteen days is great for reducing aging and excess weight. 30 days is standard for chronic disease and 42 days on 1 liter of juice daily for cancer.
What fruits and veggies can I juice?
You can juice any fruits and veggies that you can find at
the local market. Juice ingredients are carrots, sugar beets, squash, apple, lemon, cucumber, celery, garlic, greens, and pineapples. Start with carrots and pineapple then mix other fruits and vegetables to taste. You cannot juice bananas and papayas as they do not pass through the juicer screen.
Can I use a blender?
No. Juicing 2 kilograms of carrots will produce a juice that can be absorbed without digestion meanwhile eating that amount will require hours of digestion. Fiber is good when you are eating but not when you are healing as it takes work to move it through the intestine.
What if I can’t afford a juicer?
You can use Mascobado sugar with lemon juice and herbal tea such as lemon grass. The healing will not be complete but it will reduce excess fat and reduce pain and disease symptoms.
Can I drink bottled juice?
We do not see cellular regeneration from fasting using only bottled juice.
You can supplement fresh juices with bottle juice if you do not have access to fresh juice. Eighty percent of your juice needs to be fresh if you want to heal.
Read More on Can I drink bottled juices>>>
Do I have to use an enema?
No you do not need to but it will reduce gas, bloating, and increase healing. Most importantly using the enema eliminates hunger that is important to get through the first three days of your fast. Enemas are impossible to find. We have made some at St. Theodore’s and you can buy them for P150 which includes one capsule of the intestinal bacteria.
How to use the enema.
Fill the enema with lukewarm filtered water with the clip closed. 
Place it about 4 feet above you in a bathroom. Lubricate the tip and your anus with Vaseline. Lie on your left side. Insert the tip. Release the clip and slowly let the water enter your colon. If you experience a cramp, stop the water flow for a few minutes. Massage your colon to help the water pass. When the water is inside, sit on the toilet and empty your bowels. The first time you use the enema is the most difficult. The second and third day is easier. Use the enema once per day for the first 3 days then every second or 3 day for the rest of the fast. Do not use the enema after you start to eat. Use the enema if you have food poisoning, typhoid fever, diarrhea or any intestinal infection. Using the enema is crucial with prostrate cancer and colon disease.
What about a coffee enema?
Avoid them. Too much caffeine. Let the body heal without disturbing it. You cannot increase the rate of healing that is being accomplished by juice fasting.
Should I take laxatives to move my bowels?
No, because you can upset your electrolyte balance. Laxatives irritate intestinal nerve endings, which in turn stimulate muscle contractions that move the irritant through the gut and out of the body. After a while the nerve endings no longer respond to stimulation. After the fast you will be constipated.
How do I replace my intestinal bacteria?
At the end of the fast, put a container of Yakult mixed with acidophilus and bifidus from a capsule and one half cup of lukewarm water hung about 5 ft above the floors. When the mixture is inside, hold it till the water absorbs. Once you replace the intestinal bacteria it will continue to reproduce in you intestine for the rest of your life and assist in the maintenance of a healthy intestine.
What about vitamins?
Take vitamins with the juice.
Vitamins increasethe healing during juice fasting. This is a good time to invest in your health. Do not take vitamins during water fasting. Take quality multi vitamins, vitamin E 800 IU daily, and any vitamins specific to your illness with a glass of juice. Avoid vitamins on a water fast as they can sit in the stomach as there is no digestion present.
How much should I drink?
Drinking more juice causes less cleansing and more energy. Drinking less juice causes more cleansing and less energy. We recommend drinking lots of juice for the first few days then cut back to increase cleansing one the body is comfortably in the fasting state.
How much weight will I lose?
Weight loss depends on your metabolism, age, juice intake and physical activity. 
Many people have lost 20 to 60 lb on a 30 day fast and with a change in diet to more plant foods the weight loss is permanent. Stretch marks are noticeably reduced and can be further reduced by using the natural scrub, then applying vitamin E from a capsule that is described further on. The skin will regain resilience after fasting without flabbiness that is common to weight loss programs. Read More on How Much weight will I lose>>>
Can I exercise or work?
Yes! Physical labor and exercise can be performed during juice fasting. 
However energy levels are temperamental changing by the day. A toxin release will lower energy levels. Moderate exercise is recommending during juice fasting. Daily, stretching, relaxed breathing and moderate exercise is recommended.
Read More on Can I exercise or work>>>
Will I have worse body odor?
This may happen for a short period during detoxification. For most people body odor disappears during the fast. If you do have odor try to find a natural product. Antiperspirants are toxic and have been identified as one of the leading causes of breast cancer. The US Food and Drug association consider antiperspirants a drug. Unlike drugs, neither cosmetic products nor cosmetic ingredients are reviewed or approved by the FDA before they are marketed. Antiperspirants also stop the body releasing toxins. A few common ingredients are aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium, and butane, used as an aerosol propellant.
Organic or non-organic?
These incredible healing results documented at St. Theodore’s Hospital were through standard produce bought at the local market. Pesticides stay with the fiber and the small amounts in the juice are cleansed by the immune system. Organic is superior as there are no contaminates and more nutrition but not required for juice fasting.
Diabetes:
Diabetics can juice fast by controlling the juice intake and drinking smaller amounts of juice spaced throughout the day. All medication should be stopped on the first day of the fast. Failing to do so will cause a hypoglycemic reaction (low blood sugar). All our patients on the program are medication free.
Cardiovascular Disease:
The healing of cardiovascular disease with juice fasting is astounding. We are seeing total recovery. With serious heart conditions, start slowly and eat some fruits like papaya and banana for three days to slow the detoxification. After that period, juice fast without food. A 30-day juice fasting treatment is recommended and a 60-day post treatment diet.
Documenting Treatment.
Keep a daily record of your fast. For example:
DAY 1: Weight 66 kilos, 
Feel good, lots of energy, tired in the morning with a coated tongue Walked for 20 minutes. Chest pain decreased by 50%. Drank 4 liter of juice using carrots, beets, lemons, pineapples.Weight loss should be recorded on the first day of the fast including hip stomach and upper thigh measurements and the end of the fast. Take a before and after picture with front and side view wearing a t-shirt. Do not be afraid to show the ugly fat you are about to lose.Your fasting program is an important contribution to the science of fasting. Your results will help to encourage other fasters or be used to create accurate treatment protocols.
Will I have energy to work?
Energy will increase the longer you fast. The first few days may be hard and cause a tired unmotivated state.
What if I cannot afford a juicer?
Borrow a juicer or save to buy one. It is better to complete the program correctly and get the results you need. Till then, change your diet to more raw food and whole grains.
How long will juice stay fresh?
It will go bad quickly if not cooled. Two hours out of the refrigerator and 24 hours if refrigerated. Keep the juice cool and travel it in a thermos. You can carry the juice for work in 2 large thermoses. Also take some herbal tea and honey.
How do I break the fast?
Carefully! Slowly! Breaking a fast is harder than fasting. Old patterns of indulgence and compulsive eating can return with a vengeance when you start to eat. If you dream about pizza during a fast, you will be overcome by a “pizza urge” after you break the fast. Be careful what foods you think of during a fast. Over eating will cause pain as the body needs to wake up for the fasting state gradually. For a 30 day fast, continue to juice then eat small amounts of fruits and raw vegetables. Increase the amount as the body become hungrier. Wait 5 day before eating any cooked food or protein foods. Chew your food and maintain your peace.
What should I eat after the fast?
The post treatment diet is crucial to maintain your recovery especially for cancer patients. 
The diet should be eighty percent raw fruits and vegetables. The best protein is egg white with only one yoke per day. Nuts are good if chewed well. Soybean is excellent. Boiled or baked fish (do not eat river fish commercially grown). Chicken is a good source of protein. To prepare meat and chicken cut off the fats then boil it and pour off the fat. Stop eating processed oils and fried foods? The post cancer diet is 140 days including periodic shorter fasts. For most other chronic diseases, the post treatment diet period is 60 days. After that, you can eat more cooked or processed food or stay on the post treatment diet for life and enjoy vigorous health during retirement.
How often should I fast?
That depends on your needs. Some fast one day a week. Three days out of the month and others do a long juice fast per year. Once you have fasted, you will feel the urge to fast when your body becomes toxic.
Can I still drink coffee?
If you drink over 5 cups of coffee per day get ready for some headaches, tiredness and mental fog for 3 days. 
You can have one cup for the first two days of the juice fast and quit on the third to ease caffeine withdrawals. Coffee during the fast will reduce and impair cellular regeneration.
Can I still smoke cigarettes?
Toxins from the cigarette will stop the lungs recovering.
Buy the nicotine patch for the period of the fast and try to quit during the fast
Hi all
A short story for you.
My mother had a urinary tract infection last week.
She is a woman with strong will and the strong view of going to see a doctor at the slightest whim.
For once she started to listen to me about juice fasting!
I told her to drink cranberry juice only for 3 days.
After the 2nd day she told me the pain of going to the loo had gone, and the smile on her face came back, instead of the pain i saw in her face i saw for the 7 days previously.
All you have to do is log on to fasting.ws for support and advise, whatever your needs. We do not charge money for advice and are here for your best interests and needs and always give safe advice on fasting. some of us are christians, some not, but this site has been built for your needs first and foremost.
best wishes Keith.
Hi Keith,
I have a question about hair loss…I fasted for forty days mostly during the month of September. Late in October I began to notice hair loss and it has continued until now, although it seems finally to be slowing. I did not know about the possibility of hair loss, and it was somewhat alarming as I have thinned out quite a bit. I saw on the site that regrowth is usually complete, so I feel reassured in that regard. My question, though, is that I was hoping to go on another extended fast beginning in January, perhaps thirty days. I am a mother of eight and all the babies have led to me being overweight. No weight loss plan has ever worked for me but the fasting was wonderful. I was hoping to get much closer to my target weight with the fast next month. But will I lose hair again after another fast? Is there a way to avoid it? If I thought I would lose this much hair again I would not do it, as it might leave me without any! Thanks for your time. Abigail
Hi missabigall,
I believe there is a simple remedy for the hairloss during a water fast. You altenate one or 2 days of juice fasting with,2 tablespoons essential oils like hemp and flax, and B complex vitamins, with 1600 IU vitamin E. Every week. So far we only see hair loss on water fasts. Hairloss is caused by a combiation of toxins disrupting folicule growth and lack or nutrients for proper hair creation. One day of juice fasting per week of water should be enough to prevent hair loss.
Hi Abigail
I have not read to mutch into hair-loss during water fasting.
But Tom has saved my “bacon” with your question, but my advice to you would be to start a healthy exercise program when you finnish your fast, i see too many people falling back on their ways after their fast and think” what’s the point on fasting?
What im trying to say is i have watched loots of people fasting,
they look so well and healthy when the fast is over, then they go back to square {1}.
I noticed you have 8 childreen “WOW”. this is amazing.
My grandmother had 12, she went through 15 loafs of bread a week LOL…
If you feel under stress then juice/veg fasting would be great for you.
I will be starting my 40 day water fast soon.
I will be posting vids on youtube.
After my fast i will be going to the gym.
The longest water fast i have compleated, was 30 days.
I am now starting to focus myself to do the big one.
I really don’t know what to expect on this new fast, all i know is that every fast is differant.
Blessings Keith.
I love making my own juices using fruits and veggies – I follow a 50-50 style raw food diet where I replace 1 or 2 meals a day with juices. I still get the benefits of the raw food and juice but get to eat my cooked food as well. One thing I did find when I started eating this way was that I always make sure the cooked food is healthy food as I now don’t want to waste all the good work I do with the raw food and juices by blowing it on unhealthy food.
Learnt a lot of new stuff from your article here – will definitely be adding some good bacteria drinks to my diet as well.
Hi Lornabresko
Welcome to fasting.ws
Thank you for sharing your views on juice/veg and healthy eating habits, we are all here to help oneanother on fasting.ws, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.
Best wishes Keith.
Hello,
I am new to the board and am quite nervous about juice fasting. Unfortunately, I will be having surgery sometime in the next one and 1/2 months to heal a fistula created by an abcess. I know after the surgery that I will want to limit my BMs yet keep my energy – juice fasting might help accomplish this. My concerns include: how soon before surgery should I start? (5 days?), can the fast be sucessful without enemas? (not sure the tissue would be able to handle), I certainly do not want to risk getting C-diff and will likely take probiotics throughout the cycle – is that ok?
I am 47 and a heavy man. 6′3” and 350 pounds, but healthy other than the fistula issue.
Anny andive is appreciated! Thanks!
Hi PConnolly.
I would fast before and after the operation. I had a few accidents and fasted directly after surgery in the hospital. You get significant pain reduction and quicker recovery. Make the juice fresh and filter it. Probiotics are recommended.
I just finished a 7 day juice fast. With one or two days where I just had water (due to a bus schedule and not being able to get to organic produce.)
My question is in breaking the fast. For me, today is day of of breaking it. I’ve had 1/2 of an apple and I felt fine. A few hours later I have a headache and I feel like I may even vomit.. are these feelings typical?
Tomorrow I plan on 2 pieces of fruit and a raw salad.
Hi Lostintheplot,
Yes feeling bad after the first meal is common. The first food in the intestine after a fast peels of the mucus coating the has been loosen by the fast and releases toxins into the blood. Unconfirmed but my best guess as it happens more with a salad than fruit and it never happens to a person who has fasted a few times.
Hi there, I’m planning to water fast for the month of February. This is my first prolonged fast, and my biggest concern would be is it safe to drive?
Hi. I am 26 5′8″ and 130-135lbs. I have two sons 3 and 11 mos. During my pregnancy my OB tested me and said I’m borderline autoimmune and requested a visit to reuhmatology to test for lupas. I have also had a tonsilectomy back in March due to severely infected tonsils. I have joined a corporate fast with Jentezen Franklin Ministry however only comitted to 7 days of daniel fast.Day1-Mashed sweet potato at breakfast, frozen mix veg (heated)at lunch, grilled potatos and onion with minced garlic dinner. Only water to drink. Day2- mashed sweet potato and peas Day3- I messed up bad. Chocolate and 1 licorice, pancake w/syrup and peanut butter, small amt of canned veg soup 1 orange 1 kashi granola. Today day4- 1 bite of my sons pign blanket. This is my first fast. Trying to study your site and others. Question: Have I done any good considering my failure? How should I continue to get the best results the fastest? Payday is not till Friday so I can’t afford any fresh foods till then but I am already comitted I don’t want to stop till payday and afraid a water fast will knock me off my feet. Any advice?
Hi Tom,
I have just considered fasting to detox my body and loose some weight i’ve gained after going on birth control. i have stoped taking birth control about 4 months ago. The problem is that i have a chronic yeast infection and was told that i should not fast. Apparently, when the body is “starved” it goes in to survival mode and stores sugar, which is what feeds yeast. Is this true? please let me know your thoughts!
Hi Emma,
The info is wrong. Fasting is good for candida as it cannot live with lowered glucose levels. Water fasting is the best. But the problem is that is that although many die some go dormant and when you go back to eating the infection returns. Fasting, with low calories green juices with a yeast buster formula it the best way to go. The detox can be rough for the first 3 days as when the yeast are dieing they release toxic compounds.
Thank you so much for your reply Tom! I have had this infection for about 6 or so months; even though it is not as bad as those who have it for years, i am ready to get rid of it! Nothing has worked for me. i have been on a no sugar diet, which has been very difficult because i normally eat out because of work. i am taking pro- biotics and a supository for the yeast. will this be enough to take of the yeast completely? would it be a good idea to fast and then when i have finnished, continue with the no sugar diet? how long would you recommend me fast for?
Hi Emma,
Adding ginger, cayanne, garlic to the juice with oregano tea will help kill the infection. 30 days juice fasting is a standard for healing medical condition.
Thank you so much for your help! I’m planning on starting my fast tomorrow and I truly beleive this will be the most helpful treatment! I am so excited to see the results! Thanks again!!
I have just completed my 7 days of fasting. 6 days of either orange & carrot and apple juices and one day of water fasting.
Didn’t experience the mental clarity that I hoped to achieve. Sleep is still very bad. Have been insomniac for last 4 years. My sleep is so light that I do not think I am sleeping at all. I have lost the experience of feeling sleepiness or drowsiness. My mind is still so clogged and mental alertness is still low. There isn’t much of bowel movement except on the recent Monday. The output is very little though. I do not have bowel movement daily, usually once in 3 days. Will my colon be toxic with all the toxins release during the fast and those waste accumulated before the fast.
Wonder whether there is hope for cure for my mental clarity and chemical imbalance in my brain. Long fasting is tough. Wonder if one day fast per week for half a year would be as effective of consecutive fast? Hope someone with similar condition can share their experiences or helps to clarify. Thank you.
Tom,
I have recently started a 10 day water fast. This is my first attempt at anything over 3 days. I got a bloody nose on day three and it made me wonder. What are you thoughts about blood loss during a water fast? Is this a reason to break the fast? Is there any greater risk if I experience blood loss during a fast?
Thank you!
Hi Sixduece222
The skin and sinus dry during water fasting. It the air is dry in winter you can get a nose bleed. A one time occurence is nothing to worry about.
When I finish my fast, is that when I need to replace the good bacteria? Also, they sell pills at the health food store that you are supposed to take for 30 days after a cleanse. Will those work? I don’t know if I can find the other ingredients mentioned above and don’t want to mess it up.
Thanks for the help
Hi youlovekris
What type of fast are you on?
How long will your fast be for?
You can replace the good bacteria that you have lost by taking natural yoghurt’s.
What pills are they recommending from the health food store?
Blessings Keith.