Myth #1: A cleanse is the same thing as a fast.
Truth: A cleanse involves taking in a large number of nutrients — including protein and specific amino acids to aid your body’s natural detoxification mechanisms. Depending on what substances are used during a cleanse, your body is able to safely eliminate heavy metals, PCBs, xenoestrogens, pesticides, and other environmental and metabolic toxins that were being stored in your fat cells. When you get an over-accumulation of these toxins, you may suffer from various health problems. When these toxins are safely eliminated, the health problems diminish or go away entirely. Regular cleansing prevents these health problems from reoccurring, since we are constantly being exposed to toxins in our environment.
A fast, on the other hand, involves abstaining from something that you normally use on a regular basis. Fasting is usually done for spiritual purposes, rather than health purposes. Some people fast from electricity for a 24 hour period of time or longer, while others may fast from the computer or TV, gossip, particular foods, all foods except water, or even both food and water. Fasting from food for a few days does not promote weight loss or detoxification, but it can be incredibly beneficial for spiritual growth and renewal. This is why fasting is an important aspect of many religious disciplines, and we can find examples of fasting throughout the Bible.
Myth #2: The reason why some people have a big pooch in their lower abdomen (AKA the “muffin top”) is because they have mucoid plaque rotting in their colon from eating meat. To get the mucoid plaque out, they need to fast from food and get colonics.
Truth: The muffin top is caused by a combination of excess fat on the body, a hormone imbalance (usually estrogen dominance, chronic high cortisol levels, low DHEA levels, and/or elevated testosterone levels in women), and chronic constipation. When the hormonal imbalance is addressed, the excess fat in the belly becomes easier to lose via adequate exercise and diet. Regular exercise, high fiber intake, and healthy oils in the diet from both animal and plant-based sources can eliminate the constipation problem. There is no need for unnatural purging techniques which may cause loss of motility and proper function of the colon, as well as dehydration and even life-threatening internal bleeding.
Myth #3: Sprouted grains contain less gluten (or no gluten at all) than regular non-sprouted grains, and are therefore okay for people who are sensitive to gluten or who have celiac disease.
Truth: This is just outright false. Sprouted grains still contain gluten and they should never be eaten by individuals who have sensitivities to gluten. If you have eczema, psoriasis, asthma, chronic seasonal allergies or sinusitis, arthritis, migraine headaches, autism, Asperger’s, or depression, you may have a gluten sensitivity. This means your health problem will completely go away if you stop eating gluten and repair your digestive tract and immune system.
Myth #4: Chocolate helps you lose weight.
Truth: Actually, chronic chocolate consumption will eventually wear out your adrenal glands and cause you to have the problem discussed under Myth #2 — the “muffin top” and other forms of vicious belly fat that just won’t go away no matter how many fasts you do! This is because chocolate raises your levels of cortisol hormone. Although cacao can be a healthy mood-boosting food when eaten in small amounts on special occasions, I don’t recommend eating it daily just because it’s a superfood. And actually, cacao is one of the top 10 most allergenic foods, right up there with wheat, corn, soy, and milk. Some common reactions to cacao include heart palpitations, acne, and food addiction.
