About Water-Only Fasting

Glasses of water

Why Undergo a Fast?

In the past, many health problems have been associated with nutritional deficiencies, but today we understand that most health problems are in fact associated with dietary excess—in particular, with excesses of animal fat and animal protein, as well as the use of tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and refined food products. In our experience, adopting a health-promoting diet and lifestyle may reduce the need for some traditional medical treatments.

Many people have difficulty making these diet and lifestyle changes on their own, as they find themselves caught in a "pleasure trap," addicted to these pleasure-stimulating foods and substances. We have found that a properly conducted water-only fast can help some people escape that pleasure trap and more easily adopt beneficial, health-promoting dietary and lifestyle changes.

When such a fast is undertaken as a starting point, changes that might take months or years to accomplish may take place more rapidly.  Participants in our program have experienced the normalization of body weight, blood pressure, and energy. In addition, their doctors have noted that elevations in blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, liver enzymes, and inflammation markers are often rapidly corrected.

Plate and utensils

What Is Fasting?

Fasting is defined as the complete abstinence from all substances except pure water, in an environment of complete rest. Rest must be encouraged since even moderate activity can significantly increase the metabolism, altering optimum adaptation to the fasting state. To maximize the benefits of fasting, unnecessary mobilization of nutrient reserves must be avoided.

What Is Fasting?

Plate and utensils

Fasting is defined as the complete abstinence from all substances except pure water, in an environment of complete rest. Rest must be encouraged since even moderate activity can significantly increase the metabolism, altering optimum adaptation to the fasting state. To maximize the benefits of fasting, unnecessary mobilization of nutrient reserves must be avoided.

Taking blood pressure

The Fasting Process

Prior to beginning our fasting program, all participants must have a physical examination with one of our affiliated doctors. In addition, certain laboratory testing may be required and/or reviewed. Fasting is not appropriate for everyone. Fasting can be an intense and sometimes unpleasant experience, but it can also be highly effective.

Relative contraindications to prolonged fasting include pregnancy, extreme weakness, inadequate nutrient reserves, some kidney problems, cardiac instability, the use of certain medications, and some types of cancer.

The Fasting Process

Taking blood pressure

Prior to beginning our fasting program, all participants must have a physical examination with one of our affiliated doctors. In addition, certain laboratory testing may be required and/or reviewed. Fasting is not appropriate for everyone. Fasting can be an intense and sometimes unpleasant experience, but it can also be highly effective.

Relative contraindications to prolonged fasting include pregnancy, extreme weakness, inadequate nutrient reserves, some kidney problems, cardiac instability, the use of certain medications, and some types of cancer.

Glass of water

How Long Should You Fast?

The body's response to fasting can help participants determine the optimum fasting duration. Fasts typically continue for 5 to 40 days. 

The idea is to fast as briefly as possible, but as long as necessary, to accomplish your desired health goals.

How Long Should You Fast?

Glass of water

The body's response to fasting can help participants determine the optimum fasting duration. Fasts typically continue for 5 to 40 days. 

The idea is to fast as briefly as possible, but as long as necessary, to accomplish your desired health goals.

Salad

Ending the Fast

When participants decide to end their fast, they are encouraged to gradually reintroduce food into their diet. The health-supporting cuisine provided by our kitchen at TrueNorth Health Center facilitates this transition. 

Our well-structured re-feeding process reinforces good dietary habits and typically requires a period of no less than one-half the length of the fast. For example, a two-week fast would require one week of on-site supervised refeeding.

Ending the Fast

Salad

When participants decide to end their fast, they are encouraged to gradually reintroduce food into their diet. The health-supporting cuisine provided by our kitchen at TrueNorth Health Center facilitates this transition. 

Our well-structured re-feeding process reinforces good dietary habits and typically requires a period of no less than one-half the length of the fast. For example, a two-week fast would require one week of on-site supervised refeeding.

Elderly couple

The Results of Fasting

Fasting is a powerful and effective tool in a comprehensive program designed to promote the restoration and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. Fasting can help people get on (or back on) track to healthful living. 

Fasting is not a cure; it is a process that may facilitate the body's own healing mechanisms. It can be extremely effective at creating an internal environment where the body can do what it does best—cleanse and heal itself. It is a gift to an overburdened body.

The Results of Fasting

Elderly couple

Fasting is a powerful and effective tool in a comprehensive program designed to promote the restoration and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. Fasting can help people get on (or back on) track to healthful living. 

Fasting is not a cure; it is a process that may facilitate the body's own healing mechanisms. It can be extremely effective at creating an internal environment where the body can do what it does best—cleanse and heal itself. It is a gift to an overburdened body.

Who Benefits from Fasting?

Not every condition will respond to fasting, but many of the most common causes of premature death and disability respond, and often spectacularly. When properly utilized, fasting can be a powerful tool in helping your body heal itself. Learn about six common conditions that respond well to water-only fasting. LEARN MORE

Is Fasting Right for You?

To explore whether fasting might be right for you personally, we invite you to connect with us and provide us with your medical history, so we can review it and determine your suitability for water-only fasting. We will then discuss your options with you on a complimentary phone call. The short video below provides information about how to submit your information to us through our Registration process.

TrueNorth Health Sign

Booking Your Stay

The first step, as mentioned in the above video, is for you to Register with us. During the Registration process, you will be required to provide us with your full medical history so that we may review it and better understand your health situation. We will discuss with you on a complimentary phone call whether water-only fasting is right for you. If it is agreed to proceed with a water-only fast at TrueNorth Health Center, then our scheduler will reach out to you to help you book your stay.

If you have any issues uploading your medical history, please call us at 707-586-5555 and we will assist you with this process.

Fasting at TrueNorth

What's it like to fast at TrueNorth Health Center? Learn about medically supervised on-site fasting at our Santa Rosa, CA, facility here.

Remote Health Coaching

If you're intrigued by the idea of supporting your health through our programs, but not ready to undertake a fast, talk with one of our health coaches, who can help you get on track to optimal health. LEARN MORE