Paul Bragg fasting: 1, 3, 7, 10 days, way out of hunger

Paul Bragg, an alternative medicine activist, actively promoted the idea of fasting to improve health. In his book “The Miracle of Fasting” he touched on the topic of cleansing the body and healthy eating in general. He expressed his views on what is beneficial for the human body and what is harmful. The idea was new and caused a strong reaction in society. Paul Bragg did not have a medical education, however, his method of therapeutic fasting was successful.

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The best proof of the effectiveness of the technique was the author himself, who lived to the age of 81 in perfect health.

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Why distilled water?

Distilled water, according to Bragg, is most suitable for fasting, since it is pure and does not contain impurities of inorganic minerals. Water containing impurities negatively affects the kidneys and creates stones. But it is the kidneys that have to work a lot and hard. For the sake of your own favorable condition, it is better to cleanse with distilled water.

Paul was convinced: distilled water does not wash away organic substances from the human body. On the contrary, it is good for health, supports vitality and youth.

Summer egg salad by Paul Bragg

Ingredients:

300 g radish;
2 cucumbers;
8 lettuce leaves;
a small bunch of chives;
4 cherry tomatoes;
7–8 olives;
20 ml olive oil;
balsamic vinegar or lemon juice to taste.

Preparing the salad

Place hard-boiled eggs in cold water. Once cool, peel off the shells and cut the eggs into slices.
Wash the lettuce leaves and place on a plate to dry.
Wash the radishes and chop them into circles, then do the same for the cucumbers. Cherry - in quarters.
Chop the chives coarsely.
Place lettuce leaves, radishes, tomatoes and cucumbers in plates, sprinkle with onions and olives.
Prepare the dressing from olive oil and balsamic or citrus juice. There is no need to season this salad with salt; serve immediately.

The Paul Bragg diet was conceived by the author himself as a nutritional system for health improvement and longevity. American naturopath and biologist Paul Bragg believed that the cause of all human diseases is overeating.

Author: Ekaterina Solovyova

Please note that the information presented on the site is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended for self-diagnosis and self-medication. The selection and prescription of medications, treatment methods, as well as monitoring their use can only be carried out by the attending physician. Be sure to consult a specialist.

How long does hunger last?

In his research, Paul Bragg came to the conclusion that few people can give accurate information about the timing of fasting. Nutritionists in this area have not developed a common point of view; opinions differ greatly. Different countries have their own deadlines.

Thus, English doctors claim that the optimal period is 30 days. Cleansing takes place with a low-active lifestyle, in a lying position; doing exercises and giving the body physical activity is not recommended. The Germans fast for 3 weeks, and the French for 2, while the Americans adhere to a method that lasts a month.

Paul Bragg believed that 3 weeks (or more) of unforced fasting is sheer nonsense and should be resorted to in case of emergency.

In his book, Paul Bragg wrote that fasts lasting >10 days should be avoided by unprepared people. You should start small, from one day. It is not recommended to fast for 3 weeks until you have completed 6 ten-day cycles with breaks of 4 months, then the body will be more or less prepared for further cleansing. But even experienced practitioners are not advised to extend the fast beyond 15 days.

Paul Bragg considered ten-day fasts 4 times a year sufficient for himself, while during the 3-month breaks the author of the method did not eat much. Paul advised not to eat until you feel very hungry, no eating of emotions. Eating out of nothing to do is the body’s worst enemy.

Bragg was confident that it was possible to cleanse and heal the body with the help of one-day fasts, provided that there was a healthy lifestyle during the breaks.

Paul’s book “The Miracle of Fasting” is interesting and easy to read; it is worth reading all the author’s thoughts on healthy eating, and not just the section on therapeutic fasting. It describes a case that confirms the cleansing properties of hunger: as a child, Paul was sick a lot, he was often treated with mercury-based medications. One day the author had a terrible stomach ache, and his body expelled all the substances that had accumulated while taking medications in childhood.

Ten-day fasting

Fasting for 10 days is carried out according to a similar system, but more complicated than a one-day fast. It is important to provide comfortable conditions for rest and recuperation during the period of abstinence. Paul Bragg does not recommend watching TV, listening to music, reading or talking a lot during this time. It is necessary to concentrate as much as possible on fasting and follow a daily routine.

Any physical activity is excluded. Only leisurely walks and sunbathing are allowed. During a ten-day fast, beginners may feel fear for the condition of their body. But if you follow the principles and rules, nothing bad will happen. The human elimination system is perfect and knows how to dissolve and get rid of toxins.

Fasting for 1 day

During fasting, you are allowed to drink pure distilled water, you can add 5 grams of natural raw honey and 10 ml of lemon juice, these products will help cleanse the body. After the expiration date, the first meal will be a salad of grated carrots and white cabbage seasoned with citrus juice. No salt or spices.

For the second meal, it is recommended to take boiled vegetables (possibly stewed) and greens. The main thing is not to eat food of animal origin (meat, cheese, fish, eggs); nuts and seeds will also not be beneficial in the first days after hunger.

For the first 2 days after 24 hours of drinking distilled water, you should not take acidic foods.

One-day fasting

The technique is suitable for fans of intermittent fasting, as well as for beginners. Provides a weekly refusal of food for 1 day. During this time, you are only allowed to drink distilled water. A short-term fast helps the body cleanse itself and gradually restore the functioning of its internal systems.

The day before the start of fasting, you must give up solid foods, vegetable and fruit juices. Enemas and laxatives should not be used.
It is advisable to carry out the procedure on weekends, when there is no need to rush anywhere and you can endure all the side effects and ailments in a calm atmosphere.
During a one-day abstinence from food, a slight relaxation is allowed - adding a teaspoon of natural honey or lemon juice to distilled water. Additional components not only simplify intermittent fasting, but also accelerate the elimination of toxic substances.

Interesting fact. At first, daily fasting is tolerated with difficulties - the condition temporarily worsens. Over time, the side effects go away.

Fasting for 3, 7, 10 days

During a three-day fast, it is important that you have the opportunity to rest. It is better to adhere to the system in solitude. The body will begin to remove substances that poison it, and your health may worsen. At this time, you cannot load your brain with additional work - reading, having fun with friends, watching TV, you will have to give up this for 3 days. It is not necessary to withdraw from society and become a hermit for 3 days; it is enough to remain in complete peace, solitude and in nature.

Bragg believes that poisons are eliminated through the kidneys, so they need to be protected and not overloaded in everyday life. You will feel better as soon as your body gets rid of congestion and toxins.

The gastrointestinal tract does not work during hunger; it has nothing to process. This fact worries most people, because then the functions of the intestines and stomach will have to be resumed, and this can cause discomfort. With the right approach and exit from cleaning, this will not happen.

Paul Bragg had a negative attitude towards enemas and did not believe in their benefits. The author believed that food residues should not be removed by taking laxatives; this can harm the digestive system.

The intestines have antiseptic properties, so food residues are neutralized during hunger without additional intervention. After the cycle is completed and normal nutrition begins, the gastrointestinal tract will begin to function regularly and better than before cleansing.

To properly overcome hunger, your food should (at least) consist of fiber (vegetables and fruits). It is not recommended to consume animal products >3 times every 7 days. You can achieve protein balance in the body with the help of nuts, seeds and other plant proteins, and eat sprouted wheat.

Bragg calculated that he had 75 days of fasting per year, which is quite enough to restore the kidneys, pancreas and other internal organs.

Paul Bragg's book describes in detail examples of the effects of hunger on his patients. After complete cleansing of the body, the bad breath caused by the high content of toxins disappears. The author believed that it is better not to bring the body to a state where so many poisons have accumulated that an unpleasant odor emanates from the whole body. It is better to prevent contamination of the body and begin the fasting system while the body is still healthy.

General information about the technique

Paul Bragg's Book
Paul Bragg is a licensed physician who has dedicated his life to the research and practice of alternative medicine. One of his most important and popular works was the development of a methodology for performing health-improving fasting. Paul Bragg's book “The Miracle of Fasting” has sold millions of copies around the world, and a huge number of his publications on the benefits of temporary abstinence from eating have also been preserved.

Paul Bragg attached great importance to fasting as a necessary measure for leading a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition. The doctor himself often resorted to a raw food diet and vegetarianism, so he tested all his theoretical theories in practice.

Based on his book, many people conduct fasting courses today, including in special clinics and sanatoriums. The doctor himself lived to be 95 years old and led an active lifestyle, thereby proving the effectiveness of his technique through personal example.

A way out of a week's hunger

At the end of a seven-day fast, both the stomach and intestines are greatly reduced in volume, so it is necessary to return to the usual diet gradually. On the last day, closer to afternoon tea (5:00 p.m.), take 4 medium-sized tomatoes, cut into large pieces and place in a saucepan with boiling water so that the water covers the tomatoes. When the water and tomatoes have cooled down and become room temperature, then you can eat them. There are no restrictions, you can use 4 pieces.

The next morning, prepare a cabbage and carrot salad with a citrus juice dressing. This dish also helps cleanse the body, after which you can eat steamed greens or 2 crackers (toast) for breakfast. During the day, do not forget about distilled water. For lunch, eat carrots with celery + 2 boiled vegetables. Skip dinner.

On the 2nd day after fasting, breakfast can consist of fruits; it can be sweetened with honey. Lunch is the same as the previous day. For dinner (no later than 18:00) - lettuce with lemon juice, toast, a couple of tomatoes and boiled vegetables.

Instructions for use

Like other methods, the Bragg fasting course has its own instructions, which require special preparation and recovery from a hunger strike.

Entrance

Drinking fluids when entering fasting

The most important factor in preparing for fasting is being results-oriented and ready to take action. As stated above, the day before starting the fast, you need to give up solid food and also consume more liquid to speed up the elimination of toxins. It is best to move the last meal to an earlier time (18-19 hours). In this way, the body will be better prepared for subsequent stress.

Starvation

Fasting can only be water fasting. Paul Bragg believed that dry fasting was not only harmful, but also dangerous, so he recommended only the classic wet method. For those who are preparing to conduct a course for the first time, it is recommended to study the following Breg fasting rules for beginners:

The course should be carried out only under the supervision of specialists or people who constantly practice the technique.
Opportunities for rest should always be provided. First of all, it is important that the practitioner is not exposed to any stress and is freed from physical work. Bed rest is also necessary if he feels unwell.
It is best to avoid noisy companies, as they can cause unnecessary stress for the practitioner. If this measure is not possible, it is recommended to notify those around you about the upcoming event.
Physical energy should be spent as sparingly as possible.

Good sleep will help you get rid of illness and maintain a positive attitude. In case of painful symptoms, it is recommended to move to the stage of exiting fasting ahead of schedule.

Breaking out of fasting

Exiting Breg fasting involves a special scheme containing the following points:

On the last day of the hunger strike, for dinner at 17:00 you need to prepare five tomatoes, having previously peeled them. You will need to eat them slowly, chewing the food thoroughly.
The next day you will need to prepare a vegetable salad from carrots and cabbage without adding oil, salt or seasonings. It can be seasoned with a small amount of orange juice. For the first meal, a small cup of this salad is enough. Later, you are allowed to eat a couple of slices of whole grain bread. The next meal will consist of another serving of salad, as well as a small cup of chopped celery and steamed vegetables.
It is useful to start the morning of the next day with a couple of spoons of sprouted grains. You are also allowed to eat any unsweetened fruit. For lunch, it is recommended to prepare the same cabbage and carrot salad and add to it a portion of steamed vegetables (or stew without adding oil) and two slices of whole grain bread. For dinner you will also need to prepare a hot vegetable dish (stew, vegetable soup, grilled vegetables), as well as a cup of tomato salad with herbs without oil.

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At this point, the main stage of breaking fast according to the method is completed and the practitioner is allowed to switch to their usual diet. However, to consolidate the result (the question concerns the effect of health improvement and weight loss), a diet that excludes harmful foods will help:

Fast food and any semi-finished products;
Fried and fatty foods;
Meat products and liver with high fat content;
Fermented milk and dairy products with high fat content;
Excess eggs in the diet.

It is in this case that the 60:20:20 meal plan becomes especially relevant. However, if possible, it is best to switch completely to vegetarian cuisine. It is recommended to minimize the amount of salt in the diet as much as possible.

Paul Bragg advises completely abandoning this practically useless additive in favor of aromatic natural seasonings and fresh herbs. If you continue to adhere to this diet, you will not need a long fast of more than 10 days.

Breaking a Ten-Day Fast

The difference between a week-long cleanse and a 10-day fast is not great, but it is there. The solution is generally the same, stewed tomatoes on day 10, 11 and 12 correspond to 8 and 9. Important: do not eat more than what you think is necessary, food for the sake of food is not what your body needs. The psychological desire for food should not confuse you; focus on your stomach.

Since the digestive tract is reduced in volume, it does not need large amounts of food. It will take some time for the body to adjust to its daily routine of digesting food.

History of the use of fasting for healing

Thus, the ancient Egyptians, according to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, believed that systematic (3 days a month) fasting and cleansing of the stomach with the help of emetics and cleansing enemas were necessary to maintain health. Ancient historians report that Pythagoras, the ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician, systematically used fasting, believing that it increased mental perception and creativity. Plutarch, a famous historian and biographer of antiquity, believed that “instead of using medicine, it is better to fast for one day.”

Don't worry about your gut

Restoration of bowel function may not begin immediately, but you should not worry about this. People who adhere to the method have small stools after the first meal, however, everything is individual. There is no strict schedule regarding the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract after the cessation of hunger; digestion returns to normal after 3-4 days (provided that it is done correctly).

Bragg advised not to have breakfast immediately after waking up, wait about an hour and eat some fruits and greens. Prunes and dried apricots work well. An hour later, the author recommended eating something else of the same type, perhaps with boiled vegetables.

Paul Bragg argued that by consuming raw vegetables and fruits at the beginning of each meal, body tissues will be renewed, and the body as a whole will receive an antioxidant effect.

Bragg allows the consumption of animal protein, but no more than 20% of all food (meat, fish, eggs, dairy products); overdoing it with nuts and seeds is also not recommended. 60% of food should come from raw vegetables and fruits, the remaining 20% includes grains, oils, natural sugars in the form of dried fruits and honey.

Bragg nutrition: main conditions

Do not overload your body with food, always leave the table with a slight feeling of hunger.
Eat only when you feel very hungry.
Protein foods in the diet should account for only 20%. In this case, the source of nutritious protein should be mainly fish. Only lean meat. Paul Bragg recommended eating it, eggs and poultry no more than three times a week.
The main percentage (60%) of the diet should be raw vegetables, berries, fruits, in a word, any plant fruits. If subjected to heat treatment, then minimally. Cooking according to Paul Bragg is usually steamed, briefly stewed or baked.
There is little room in the diet for natural starches and sugars. These are honey, dried fruits, rice and potatoes.
Options for short-term fasting. A smooth “exit” from fasting while excluding protein foods, as well as acidic foods.
Ordinary water on Paul Bragg's diet is replaced by glacial water, melt water (prepared according to house rules) and distilled water.
Gradual abandonment of salt: Bragg saw salt as one of the main sources of disease.

Paul Bragg's attitude to fasting

In the book “The Miracle of Fasting,” the author devoted an entire section to hunger as a healing system, but fasting is not a means to treat serious diseases. The author did not believe that fasting was therapeutic, to the fullest extent of the word. However, cleansing the body and maintaining natural processes in it in itself leads to healing.

The body cleansing system will help get rid of bad habits, addiction to nicotine, alcohol, and sweets by getting rid of excesses.

After a fasting cycle, a person begins to feel better, more energetic, headaches, migraines, and gastrointestinal problems go away. But you should not count on curing cancer or any other serious illness.

First of all, cleaning returns vitality to a person, gives energy, health and the desire to live.

Hunger is a natural process designed to help the body eliminate toxins coming from outside. After completing the cycle, the mind becomes clearer, it is easier for the brain to work, process signals coming from the outside world, and make decisions. Cleansing the body is a good way to train willpower and patience, as well as a chance to acquire a healthy body and live a long life. You should fast for your own sake.

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Preparation rules

There is no need to do any specific preparation before fasting, but Bragg says that you need to properly set yourself up for success. It is important to understand that this process will not be carried out chaotically, but with the use of distilled water and performing breathing exercises. Another important point is that during one course all toxins and organisms will be removed from the body, and the appearance of the skin, hair and nails will significantly improve. According to the developer of the system, with such an attitude, every cell of the body will “joyfully” meet forced nutritional deprivations.

Paul gives another important piece of advice - you shouldn’t tell others about your intentions; even close people shouldn’t be aware. Unnecessary advice, and not very competent advice, will only lead you astray. And inappropriate jokes and outright bullying about well-being and weight loss can provoke a nervous breakdown and even depression.

We recommend reading about Professor Nikolaev and his fasting for the sake of health. From the article you will learn about the purposes and benefits of therapeutic fasting from Yuri Nikolaev, doing it at home, preparation and exit rules. And here is more information about Ekaterina Mirimanova’s weight loss system.

Useful video

Watch this video about the benefits of fasting for the body: