Bad Breath

Waste passes through the lungs, which are an eliminative organ. Brushing the tongue with a toothbrush, using dental floss and rinsing with mouthwash will reduce bad breath. I do not recommend chewing gum for a fast as it stimulates digestion, but if you have a meeting with a big client, it may be wise to chew a breath freshener. Health food stores have natural breath fresheners.

Blackouts

During fasting, the body conserves energy. The heart pumps slower and blood pressure lowers. Standing or moving quickly from a resting position will cause the blood to flow to the legs. For a few seconds, the brain may not get enough oxygen, causing blackouts and dizziness. To stop a blackout, get down on one knee or sit. Lowering your center of gravity will instantly stop a blackout. Blackouts are more frequent during water fasting. On longer water fasts, breathing quickly for a few seconds before standing will stop all blackouts.

Cankers

During a fast, unhealthy bacteria increase between the teeth, and the tongue becomes coated with waste that can cause cankers. To stop cankers, gargle with sea salt mixed with water several times daily. The most effective remedy is to dab salt on the canker but the pain will be very intense. Dabbing the sore with tea tree oil or vitamin E quickens the healing process. During fasting, the cankers can be large and very painful.

Chills

Almost everyone becomes sensitive to the cold during a fast. You will need to dress warmer and take extra clothing if you go out. A hot water bottle brings great comfort.

Colds

Mucoid is the perfect food for viruses. Toxins weaken the immune system. When large quantities of toxins and mucus are in the blood due to a fast, the body can become susceptible to colds. To fight a cold, continue fasting to eliminate the mucus. Reduce the liquid intake and drink lemon juice. When your body is clean from mucus, you will never catch a cold again.

Diarrhea

Fruit juices have a laxative effect, which is more pronounced after water fasting. Using the enema can stop it. Using psyllium husk during diarrhea will help regulate the system. If there is rectal burning use Vaseline.

Hair Loss

It can be a terrifying experience to start losing hair during a fast or raw food diet. Joel Fuhrman, M.D. states, Hair loss after fasting is not uncommon, it even has a medical name called Telogen Effluvium. Telogen Effluvium results from the conversion of a large number on anagen (active) hairs to telogen (resting) hairs, with subsequent shedding. It is usually observed 1 to 4 months after a precipitating event but may occur up to 8 months later. Typically less than 50% of hair is lost and be noticed only by the person suffering with it. Many drugs can cause this, but it also can be precipitated by rapid weight loss, fasting, surgery, childbirth, illness, infection and psychological stress. No treatment is necessary for this self-limiting disorder, although the duration varies form 6 to 12 months. Hair regrowth is always complete.

Headaches

Toxins can cause muscle tightness in the neck and shoulders. This can result in tension headaches. Massaging the neck and shoulders will help relieve the tension. The herb, Fever Few, which is available in health food stores, is well worth trying. It is acceptable to take Tylenol to get through the early stages of fasting where headaches can be very painful.

Muscle Tightness

The muscles may become tight and sore due to toxin irritation. The legs can be the worst affected, as toxins accumulate in the legs. A self-massage, hot baths, stretching and exercising will help to release the toxins.

Nausea

When waste is released too quickly by the lymph glands, some of the toxic overload is taken by the liver and secreted with bile into the stomach. This causes nausea. Drinking water or carrot juice will dilute the bile and toxin mixture, helping to flush it from the system.

Nervousness

The elimination of toxins can irritate damaged nerves. A hot bath or walking will relieve tension.

Skin Problems

The skin may become oily as rancid oils are purged from the body. People with problem-free skin may have a few days of pimples or even a boil. A pallid complexion is also a sign of waste in the blood. When cleansed of mucus and toxins, the skin will be healthy, soft and unblemished.

Tiredness

Tiredness is normal during water or restricted juice fasting. If the tiredness is too much, increase the quantity of sweet juices like melon and carrot juice.

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.