What Physical Effects to Expect

Although fasting can be an indescribable blessing, it is not always easy for everyone. In this time of discipline, self-sacrifice and reflection, do not be surprised if you experience mental and physical discomfort.

To begin, you may experience some inner conflict when you deny yourself the pleasure of eating food. Any sort of fast may sometimes leave you feeling impatient and irritable. During a three-day fast, this struggle can intensify toward the end of the second day. That seems to be a favorite time for the “self” to rise up and say, “This is as far as I want to go. I have done enough.”

Physical Effect:

Hunger pangs are usually the greatest during the first three days of the fast. Your body is adjusting from using the food in your digestive tract (which remains about three days) to consuming stored fats.

Suggested Relief:

Psyllium husk will help eliminate hunger pangs and also aid in cleansing the body. Several capsules can be taken throughout the day with plenty of water.

Silymarin tablets may also be helpful; they are believed to protect and enhance the cleansing of the liver.

Physical Effect:

Coldness, bad breath and heightened body odor are possible. Also, changes in elimination (constipation or diarrhea), light-headedness, changes in sleeping and dreaming patterns, and aches and pains are likely.

A white-coated tongue at the beginning of a fast may be a part of the body’s pattern of throwing off toxins.

Expect to go to the bathroom often (you will be drinking lots of water).

Suggested Relief:

After the first two weeks of an extended fast, many of these symptoms subside. Continuing aches in a certain area of the body usually means elimination of fatty tissue is going on in that area, which is not harmful. However, any extensive pain should be examined immediately.

YOU SHOULD STOP FASTING IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SEVERE PAIN OR SWELLING.

Physical Effect:

Headaches or stomachaches may be a result of salt, sugar or caffeine withdrawal.

Suggested Relief:

Eliminating those items from your diet prior to fasting is the best way to avoid these pains.

Physical Effect:

Lower back pain may indicate that you are dehydrated.

Suggested Relief:

Drink more fluids.

Physical Effect:

Dizziness may be caused by a sudden change in position, such as rising suddenly from a chair.

Suggested Relief:

Stop for a second or two, then recover. Move slowly. (A word of caution: These conditions may be symptoms of other problems requiring medical attention.)

Physical Effect:

Minor fasting discomfort.

Suggested Relief:

Take one teaspoon of psyllium seed powder morning and evening. Mixed in lukewarm water, it becomes like Jell-O. This powder will hasten the elimination of toxins from your colon and help to prevent headaches and dizziness for most healthy people. Alfalfa tablets can help control bad breath and cleanse the system. Two tablets at a time can be taken several times a day.

In my desire to be absolutely faithful to my first 40-day fast, I stopped taking my usual vitamins and minerals. However, during subsequent fasts, I have felt strongly impressed to continue my vitamin and herbal therapy and also to use psyllium. I do this to keep my body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), healthy while continuing to deny myself the pleasure of eating solid food.

During your fast, you may have your struggles, discomforts, spiritual victories and failures. In the morning, you may feel like you are on top of the world, but by evening you may be wrestling with the flesh — sorely tempted to raid the refrigerator and counting how many more days are left in your fast. This is especially true if you are new to fasting. To counteract temptations like these, take extra time with the Lord. Step outside for some fresh air and talk to Him as you walk along. And in the process, always keep on sipping water or juice frequently during your waking hours.

Next: Finishing Your Fast