fasting

Question
I'm suffering from acne and i tried so many things to cure my    
problem but nothing really helped.So I'm going to do water fast and i would like to know ho to do it best?Can you help me with this question?

Answer
Dear Dinko,

I am afraid a water fast in itself will not cure your acne and any improvement will be temporary, since the underlying cause of acne is not altogether down to food alone.

There are indeed theories that find the cause of acne in "impure blood", and it seems possible that certain chemicals, hormones, additatives and artificial sweetners can aggravate the condition. This is why processed foods can worsen your condition. But from a more holistic point of view a detox cannot really take away the root cause of acne, and modern science very much questions the bio-chemical impact of any type of fast (i.e. results are not measurable).

The answer to acne from a Taoist Chinese Health perspective is to change your diet and exclude all dry,hot or moistly warm foods. Their system categorises food according to the five elements (wood, air, water, fire, metal) and "temperature": hot, warm, neutral, cooling, cold.  Acne is one of the symptoms of an over-heated system. The Anthroposophic point of view convenes in a certain sense, in that it blames an imbalance, where the emotional side of the soul is overstretched - for one or more complex reasons. Clearly, this is the case in adolescents who frequently suffer from acne to a greater or lesser degree. Again, the "raging" hormones play a part on a molecular level, but these in turn are subject to more subtle dynamics (on a soul level). For some people acne continues to plague them throughout adulthood and usually many stress factors can be found, either in the mind or in their life-style.Not only mental stress effects the condition of the skin, but also the stress some foods put on the body. Fairly obvious examples are fats and sugars: they tax and pollute the body, or deplete mineral and vitamin sources. In addition, other classic no=nos, such as deep frying and spicy dishes, as well as alcohol and caffeine (tea, coffee, cocoa, coke), chocolate, redmeat are hot foods. Smoking, needless to say, is one of the worst things for acne (tabacco is hot and the toxins are heavy).

Cooling foods are soothing, on the other hand: seaweed and watermelon are on the extreme side of cold, and salads and green vegetables neutrally so. Wholegrains should comprise half your daily intake, and vegetables about one quarter. Proteins and fresh fruits should make up the remainder. Water is cooling, so drink plenty of that, but don't expect too much from it's flushing qualities...It just helps the metabolism and keeps the energy flow smooth. Nettle tea is more purifying and tonifying.

For proteins choose chicken and fish or soy products (the latter two specifically cooling). Go very easy on dairy products since they are hard to digest, and digestive problems creates a lot of (excess) heat. Choose yoghurt over cheese (but no sugar). Milk will do you few favours (sluggish on the gut). Some fruits are irritants: mango and pineapple, and are to be avoided. Tomato, peppers/chilies, eggplant (deadly nightshade family) and these are best eaten only occasionally. Apricot, lychee and pomegranate are very warming, so take care. Citrus is rich in vitamin C but can also aggravate the condition: so go easy on the oranges and grapefruits. Also consider how foods have been prepared: steaming, boiling, stirfrying and stewing should take preference over baking, roasting, barbecuing. Leave deep-fried things well enough alone (also crisps, eventhough they are eaten cold: they have very hot properties, and their saturated fat more or less reflects this.)

My philosophy is to tackle the whole body,from the inside out. Check your state of mind and let it reflect the disposition of your soul. Relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga etc. are means to attain the self-knowledge required to rebalance the body. A short fast of a day or two can help refocus. If you are healthy and fit and not under too many mental pressures a couple of days of water will not kill you (maybe make you tetchy!) and prove you are a determined and discliplined person to yourself. But I cannot recommend this as a treatment for your acne. Before you switch to only water, you would do well to "sober up" and for a couple of days, eat rice with steamed vegetables, and drink vegetable cocktails and fruit juices (leave several hours in between, do not mix fruit/veg). Take time out to soak in a salty bath, and massage with warming oil (fasting can make you feel very cold, especially in winter). Take plenty of fresh air, and excercise to help keep the metabolic system active.
Coming out of the fast, you need to stay very sober with your diet for a couple of days, and slowly reintroduce (cool and clean) foods.

Once you've got your focus on rebalancing and are prepared to go the long route to well-being, you are surely to find a vast improvement to your condition.

While you adapt your diet and attitude, you might like to apply some soothing treatments, e.g. aloevera gel (as pure as possible) can be very refreshing if your skin is particularly raw and sore. If the acne is not too inflamed, you could try a weekly mudpack, but make sure it is a non-abrasive type, and 100% natural, since synthetic chemicals may only make the condition worse. Try using almond cream, which is soothing and gentle, rather than products which dry out your skin. Cleanse your skin well with warm water and soap/non-synthetic cleanser, refresh with a mildly astringent tonic, and use clean towels to avoid spreading the infection (= the cause of inflammation). Sometimes a short steambath with chamomile or mint can be very relaxing and calming for the skin (not too boiling hot, though).
Finally, one of the greatest rebalancing tips is: relax and enjoy! Eating fun, wholesome, colourful, and good quality meals, in a pleasant setting, with good company, gentle conversation, or calming music, or light, postitive thoughts can genuinely harmonise your inner self, which will in turn effect the condition of your skin.

Wishing you all the best, and hoping you choose the long and most rewarding route of healthy eating,
take care,
Evelyn

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