Fasting is the deliberate avoidance of eating, usually for long periods of time. As a therapy or health maintenance program, fasting is promoted as a means of cleansing the body internally.
Advocates believe that fasting gives the body a chance to rid itself of toxins and impurities.
However, the body's digestive system is well designed to cleanse itself automatically. Detoxification by fasting is not based on scientific fact. Further, fasting does not cure disease. Supporters of fasting believe that the immune system works better when the body's physiologic systems have a chance to rest. This is not correct.