Coconut oil is a medium chain triglyceride. Although it is a saturated fat, it is especially useful for the brain through its release of ketones. During a water fasting, the body switches to using energy from fat reserves. This takes place during the second or third day. The body becomes reliant on ketones to maintain survival. Coconut oil releases ketones, which means that the energy is consumed immediately. It is not stored as fat in the body. This makes coconut oil a useful aid to use during a water fast. The detoxifying and antimicrobial benefits can make it useful to treat fungal infections like candida.
Essentially, a water fast starves the body of nutrients. However, the body is very smart at what it preserves. After a long period of water fasting (up to fifty or sixty days) the body starts to eat parasites and even tumours, although most water fasting advocates recommend a seven to ten day fast. This is to preserve muscle tissue, although a small amount of muscle tissue is lost during a water fast. Some individuals like to fast one day a week on a regular basis, while others prefer to endure a longer water fast.
Adding coconut oil to a water fast provides calorific content. A good way to test your current detoxification level is to try a three or four day water fast. Start the fast toward the end of the day and have an early night. If the hunger pangs start to make you feel weak or nauseous, try sipping on carbonated water with a squeeze of lemon. You may experience weakness, shivering, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and more as detoxification symptoms. The weakness is due to the low blood sugar.
After the detoxification test, if you notice minimal side effects from the fast, you may be relatively healthy internally. The addition of coconut oil may invoke a stronger detoxification. Coconut oil is rich in the medium chain fatty acid, lauric acid, which is converted into monolaurin – a natural immune booster, germ killer, and disinfectant. If you suffer from Candida, a water fast with the addition of coconut oil could help to fight the problem.
Remember to always do your own research before you start a fast, and consult a doctor beforehand for his or her advice. Consider how long you want to endure the fast. If you are new to water fasting, a long fast may not be the best option. A useful recommendation in how to deal with the hunger pangs is to turn off the television, as the advertisements will make you obsess about food.
