The purpose of this site is to provide accurate information on the practice of fasting, including
research, literature, and other resources.
With the advent of the internet and renewed interest in fasting,
enterpeneurs are profiting from the subject, even going as far as offering online and e-book instructions.
This might be humerous if not for the fact that such ventures can imperil some people's health.
We all use the internet as a learning tool. Unfortunately, a lot of the information on the web is
incomplete or correct. Fasting -- in particular -- is often misunderstood. Some people think it is easy, while others are not sure exactly how to do it.
Because of the lack of reliable sources on fasting, some people rely on advice from less than reputable sources.
This website is intended to bridge that gap.
How to Fast
First and foremost, I recommend that anyone considering fasting for the first time do so
at a supervised fasting clinic. It is not a good idea to rely on online sources and/or self-help books
as a guide for fasting. These may be good places to gather information, but when it comes time to do your first fast,
please do so at a fasting clinic. Even if your doctor tells you it is safe for you to fast, you should be supervised
when you fast, especially for the first time.
Fasting is a powerful tool. It can assist the mind, body, and spirit in healing a wide variety of problems.
However, that power has the potential to cause harm under certain circumstances. The potential for harm is sharply
reduced by fasting at a fasting clinic. For the names of reputable fasting clinics,
click here.
My Credentials and Experience
I have 20 years of experience fasting personally. Additionally, I have studied fasting at the doctoral level, through two doctorate degrees.
I have a Doctorate in Naturopathy which I earned from an institution that emphasized the study of fasting.
I am in the dissertation process for a Ph.D. in Psychology and my research is about fasting and
its effects on depression. For my Masters in Psychology, my thesis was on the transformative nature of fasting in
medicine, psychology, religion, and politics. I am a licensed
Psychotherapist/Marriage Family Therapist and have worked with many clients who have fasted.
Although I consider myself an expert on the subject of fasting, I always refer my clients (and friends) to a fasting clinic where they can be supervised.
I believe that it would be irresponsible to do otherwise, or to encourage someone to try fasting on his/her own. While fasting is relatively safe, there can be instances
where problems occur - problems that can be mitigated when there is staff available that is specifically
trained in therapeutic fasting.
The place I recommend, True North Health, in Santa Rosa, California, is probably the top fasting clinic in the world. For more information
on True North Health,
click here. Whereas I have studied fasting for 15 years, the doctors at True North Health have
supervised thousands of patients at their facility for over 25 years. There are very few practitioners with this type of
onsite experience.
Credible Resources
This website contains a list of books and research on fasting. There are few credible resources on the internet. As far as institutions/individuals in the
United States,
the two best resources are
True North Health, located on the west coast, and
Dr. Joel Fuhrman, located on the east coast. Both institutions also offer dietary interventions and education, which can be useful
on their own merit and are imperative after fasting.
Books on Fasting
Of the many books about fasting listed on this website, the following are two of my favorites.
For a basic understanding of the therapeutic aspects of fasting,
Fasting and Eating for Health: A Medical Doctor's Program for Conquering Disease
by Dr. Joel Fuhrman is an excellent source. For understanding the psychological and spiritual perspectives of
fasting, I recommend Stephen Harrod Buhner's book
The Fasting Path: The Way to Spiritual, Physical and Emotional Enlightenment. Worth noting is the fact that Dr. Alan Goldhamer, Director of
True North Health, is currently writing a much-anticipated book on fasting.
My book,
Healing & Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health has an entire chapter devoted to fasting.
I am in the process of completing my latest book, Fasting: An Exceptional Human Experience, about the historic and contemporary practice of fasting.
Consultations
As a naturopathic psychotherapist, I see clients in my office in San Jose, California, and offer consultations on fasting and nutrition on a limited basis.
If you are interested in a consultation,
contact me online or visit my website at
RandiFredricks.com.
Fasting as an Exceptional Human Experience
Transpersonal Psychology and Fasting
Religio-Spiritual Fasting
see more ...
