Dear Liza May,

Thanks for your input.

It is important to point out that there are certainly some conditions
which
contraindicate fasting, though that list is not quite as extensive as
you
say.

As Dr. Bernarr Zovluck said, fasting is nothing more than complete
physiological rest, and in general, is the best possible thing for
anyone
who's sick.  Fasting provides the body with complete rest and allows
the
immune system the best chance of being able to regain enough strength
to
work effectively.  The human body is naturally equipped to fast, as is
virtually every other animal on the planet, and it is only in a few
situations where fasting is dangerous, and even in most of these
situations,
fasting can be done with the supervision of a trained practitioner who
can
monitor certain signs.

To go back over your list to clarify for people, I'll point out where
my
research and experience differs from what you said:
1) Diabetics-there are two types, adult onset diabetes, and juvenile
diabetes.  Adult onset diabetes is far more common, and responds
extremely
well to fasting.
2) Cancer patients-cancer may not respond to fasting, but fasting will
certainly do no harm, and in most cases will make the patient more
comfortable.  Patients with very advanced cancers that waste the body
should
not fast because of lack of reserves.
3) Anorexia/Bulimia-anorexics should not fast because of a lack of
reserves.
Bulimics are in no danger in fasting.  Bulimia is a psychological
disorder
rather than a physical disorder, and though fasting has been shown to
have
tremendous mental health benefits, bulimics may not benefit greatly
from
fasting.
4) Very obese -- very obese people are in no danger in fasting, and
will in
fact lose much weight rapidly.  They will not benefit as much from the
cleansing effects of a fast however, since most of the activity will
go to
burning large quantities of excess fat.  They are better off losing
the
majority of the excess weight first, and then fasting, but again,
there's no
danger.
5) Stoke victims are in no danger in fasting.
6) Aids patients, unless extremely advanced are in no danger, and
should
respond extremely well to fasting, as again, it provides the best
chance for
the immune system to regain it's strength and ability to operate.
7) people with glaucoma are in no danger fasting and usually respond
extremely well
8) Hepatitis patients can fast with no danger and great benefit
9) People on steroids can safely fast with supervision
10) Elderly people, as long as they're not malnourished to the point
of
having no reserves, can safely fast
11) People recovering from surgery can fast, and will experience
tremendous
benefits from fasting.

One should not consume medications while fasting, so if using
medications,
they should be tapered off before fasting.  As Liza May pointed out,
there
are a few conditions which can make fasting dangerous, but for the
overwhelming majority of people, fasting is perfectly safe, and
incredibly
beneficial.

To clarify again, there's nothing magic about fasting. It simply
provides
the body with the most complete physiological rest possible, and this
allows
the body to better heal itself.  The average person has a 6 week
reserve of
nutrients.  Almost anyone can fast for a week without supervision, and
with
no danger.

Thanks again Liza May, for pointing out that there are a few
conditions
where fasting is not recommended.

Love,

Loren