Fasting and cleansing Fasting a day a week is common in traditional societies and in many religions. Going without solid food for three days to a week or longer allows the body to cleanse and renew itself. People who benefit from prolonged fasting report a feeling of detoxification which makes them feel physically stronger and psychologically clearer.7 An early discovery was spirulina’s value as an aid for fasting. It eases intestinal problems because it is easy to digest and provides energy and stamina for work and play during a fast.

Because it is a light, low calorie food providing essential nutrients, and because it digests easily, spirulina makes fasting easier and more effective. A well known booklet on this subject is Rejuvenating the Body through Fasting with Spirulina Plankton by Dr. Christopher Hills. He writes: “as a source of nutrition during fasting or dieting, it is excellent because it helps cleanse the intestinal tract as well as relax the smooth muscle of the bowels.”8 “Fasting with spirulina and mixing it with fruit and vegetable juices is the perfect and most natural way to flush out the system with liquids and chlorophyll without denying the body the nutrients for full and effective metabolism.”

 Dr. Hills suggests a 7 day fast with fruit, juices, water and spirulina, without any other solid food. Fasting requires discipline and should be done for limited periods. Fasting should be accompanied with common sense, and when it is over, light simple meals should be phased in slowly over several days before moving back to a normal diet. The first few days of fasting may result in discomfort due to detoxification. If side effects become severe, fasting should be stopped. Fasting is not for everyone, and people with special medical problems should consult a health practitioner first.10 Colon cleansing In the modern low-fiber diet, wastes can accumulate in pockets in the colon. Never removed, these wastes can lead to constipation, weakened digestion, poor nutrient absorption, and in later life, colon cancer, one of the most common cancers today. These problems increase with age