Fasting is the voluntary abstinence from eating for an extended period of time. It is a controversial procedure. Many people believe that fasting is an easy way to give the digestive system a rest to allow the body to rid itself of toxins and wastes. It is also thought to stimulate the metabolism and promote healing by strengthening the immune system. Under no conditions should pregnant or breast-feeding women, or anyone who is diabetic or has kidney or liver problems, has an eating disorder, asthma, or tuberculosis, fast. Fasting's history goes back to Biblical times, where it was a way to purify the body and the mind. It can be found in cultures as diverse as the ancient Greeks and the Native Americans, and was often used as part of a rite or religious exercise. In modern times, many people fast for health, rather than spiritual, reasons. Those...