Learn about the phenomenon of vegetable and fruit fasting

“let food be thy medicine”. – Hippocrates

The phenomenon of vegetable and fruit fasting

From the perspective of a physician who has observed the effects of a vegetable–fruit fast for nearly 40 years, I can say with full conviction: our body possesses self-healing abilities and naturally strives for health.

Health is a state of balance, that is, harmony of all metabolic processes. Disease, on the other hand, is a signal of imbalance, manifesting as, for example, pain, weakness, hypertension, or elevated levels of sugar, lipids, or hormones. Thus, disease is the way the body informs us of a lack of equilibrium.

Medications—painkillers, antihypertensives, antidiabetics—alleviate symptoms but do not remove the cause. That is why diseases often become entrenched and progress to chronic forms.

In such cases, a vegetable–fruit fast can offer a real hope for healing

Epigenetics and the healing power of lifestyle

Only in the 1990s did a groundbreaking field of science—epigenetics—emerge, studying the impact of lifestyle and environment on gene expression (activation). It was discovered that diet and physical activity can switch genes on or off without altering their structure.

This is a revolution in medicine. We fall ill not at the level of organs, but at the level of genes. Lifestyle can “reprogram” their function—from disease-causing to health-promoting. Fasting is a natural “reset” for the body, which can be compared to rebooting a computer—many functions then return to normal.

Scientific evidence

The effects of fasting are astounding and precisely tailored to the body’s needs. An example: in a study on mice in which brain ischemia was induced, individuals previously subjected to a fasting diet produced new blood vessels, which saved their lives. In the group without fasting, all the animals died.

In another brain tumor experiment, calorie restriction inhibited vascular growth in the tumor and increased cancer cell death threefold compared to mice fed normally.

How does fasting work?

A diet based on vegetables and low-sugar fruits causes a rapid (within just a few hours) depletion of the glucose reserves stored in the liver (glycogen). This signals the body to switch into survival mode.

The so-called second energy program is activated, in which the main fuel source becomes fat and the ketones produced from it.

As a result, body weight decreases and many diseases begin to reverse, thanks to the process of autophagy. This natural self-repair mechanism involves “self-eating,” i.e., the removal of damaged or unnecessary cellular components—such as proteins, viruses, and organelles—from which the body recovers valuable building blocks and creates new, healthy cells.

Autophagy acts like a “surgery without a scalpel”—it removes diseased cells, supports regeneration, slows aging, improves brain function, reduces inflammation, and limits the growth of cancer cells. It also destroys viruses and bacteria.

For his discovery of autophagy and the cellular recycling process, Prof. Yoshinori Ohsumi was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2016.

Youth proteins and stem cells

Under the influence of fasting and plant polyphenols, sirtuins—the longevity proteins—are activated, supporting DNA repair, detoxification, reduction of inflammation, and slowing of aging processes. They trigger numerous regenerative mechanisms.

Fasting also increases the activity of stem cells, leading to astonishing reparative effects. In practice, we have repeatedly observed the regression of tumors, scars, and degenerative changes, and even the rebuilding of joint cartilage or regeneration of a completely destroyed thyroid in Hashimoto’s disease.

Reversing insulin resistance and improving energy

One of the most important effects of fasting is the reversal of insulin resistance—the primary cause of obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, atherosclerosis, and other metabolic diseases.

During the regimen, a common symptom is a surge of energy, improved physical endurance, and enhanced cardiac function. We owe this to the improved performance of mitochondria—the cellular “powerhouses” responsible for energy production.

Loss of visceral fat and reversal of diseases

Low caloric intake of the diet promotes reduction of particularly dangerous visceral fat, which is a source of hormones causing metabolic syndrome. Thanks to this, it is possible to reverse diseases such as:

  • type II diabetes
  • hypertension
  • coronary artery disease
  • thrombosis
  • lipid disorders

Natural healing – at your fingertips

This is only part of the self-repair mechanisms activated by fasting. It’s hard to believe that healing can be so close — within reach of our everyday choices.

Although full studies on fasting’s effectiveness for some diseases are not yet available, periodic consumption of vegetables and fruits, in the absence of contraindications, is safe and worth considering.

So why not give it a try?

How did it start?

For many years I worked as an internist at the Department of Internal Medicine at the Medical University of Gdansk, practicing classical academic medicine. Treating patients pharmacologically, I observed positive effects – lowering of blood pressure, resolution of edema, decrease in sugar and cholesterol levels. It seemed that everything was going well.

Over time, however, I noticed that many patients were returning to the hospital – often with more conditions. Medications that helped initially lost their effectiveness over time. It was necessary to increase doses or reach for newer preparations, which often led to side effects.

Intuitively, I began asking patients’ families to bring them freshly squeezed juices from green plants. To my surprise, the patients’ well-being quickly improved. At the time, I was not yet familiar with the effects of nutrition on health, and the medical literature did not address the topic of diet therapy.

The turning point came in 1988. An obese patient with coronary artery disease was admitted to the ward, suffering from severe chest pain that did not subside despite treatment. At that time, no interventional procedures existed for this condition, and I felt helpless. By chance, I came across a book by Dr. Kinga Wiśniewska-Roszkowska describing the therapeutic effects of fasting observed by Prof. Nikolayev in Moscow.

With no other option, I proposed a water fast to the patient. After just a few days, his symptoms vanished—pain and breathlessness disappeared, swelling subsided, blood pressure returned to normal, and he began to lose weight. After 10 days, I put him on a raw carrot and water diet. Interestingly, he felt no hunger, and his conditions—diabetes, hypertension, obesity—began to regress. He even experienced strengthening of a loose tooth and disappearance of nodules around his joints. At the same time, his test results improved. I had never before witnessed such a rapid and profound healing process across all body tissues simultaneously.

After six weeks, the patient left the hospital in excellent condition. I then faced an important question: if the body can heal itself through fasting, what is the underlying mechanism?

I began offering subsequent patients a choice: conventional treatment or a salad diet (grated carrot and water). Over time, I enriched the diet with other vegetables and fruits that showed clinical benefits. Thus, the concept of the vegetable–fruit fast was born.

With each new case, I was more amazed by the scale of health improvement. Diseases once considered incurable began to regress.

Patients often experienced so-called healing crises—headaches, skin eruptions, diarrhea, low-grade fevers—indicating intense detoxification and regeneration processes.

In 1994, to popularize this method, I delivered a series of 13 broadcasts on Radio Maryja, accompanied by patients sharing their healing testimonies. The content of these broadcasts was compiled in the book “Saving Body and Spirit Through Nutrition”.

That same year, we opened the first health retreat specializing in the vegetable–fruit fast in Gołubie on the Kashubian lakes. Over time, more centers appeared—not only in Gołubie but across Poland. There are now over 20.

Additionally, catering companies emerged offering ready-made kits for the vegetable–fruit regimen, greatly facilitating its use at home.

I am delighted to observe how dynamically this method is evolving and how many people it has helped to restore their health.

Archived series of broadcasts on Radio Maryja from 1994-1995

What is the mentioned diet
by Dr. Ewa Dabrowska®

In the case of sudden and serious medical conditions, as well as life-threatening situations, pharmacological treatment or surgical procedures are often the only rescue. However, if these fail and the disease persists, I encourage the use of the vegetable and fruit diet as an effective and non-invasive method of prevention and treatment.

Dr. Ewa Dąbrowska’s® diet is not only associated with the vegetable and fruit fasting stage. The nutritional concept according to Dr. Ewa Dąbrowska’s® diet consists of several stages, which bring about a permanent change in lifestyle. Thanks to them, we can achieve long-lasting beneficial results in both prevention and treatment of various diseases.
Dr. Ewa Dąbrowska’s® diet includes several stages:

Preparation for fasting

Elimination of products such as meat, coffee, and foods that cause intolerances.

Vegetable and fruit fasting

Detoxify
and rebalance
health.

Exit
from fasting

Back to
full-fledged
nutrition.

Long-term lifestyle change

Elimination of products such as meat, coffee, and foods that cause intolerances.

Restorative treatment

Vegetable and fruit fasting is not a weight loss diet, it is primarily a cleansing and normalizing treatment. Weight loss is associated with burning mainly fat, not muscle, as this is the property of fasting – activating the same processes as the ketogenic diet (carbohydrate reduction). To perpetuate the favorable results, it is worth making the pro-health lifestyle change already permanent.

It is worth noting that underweight people, too, can also restore their body weight after a cleansing fast during a period of whole-food nutrition.
This diet is based on natural plant products, which contain thousands of bioactive substances, including: enzymes, polyphenols, micronutrients, vitamins and others with healing properties, triggering detoxification processes, leveling toxic free radicals, favorably alkalizing. These processes naturally promote a return to health balance.

How can Dr. Dabrowski’s Diet® help you?

Infertility – female diseases

Infertility can be a natural defense mechanism of the body that is activated when a woman’s body is not ready for pregnancy and the development of the embryo could be at risk. A vegetable-fruit fast may help restore fertility.

In comparison with conventional infertility treatments—such as pharmacotherapy, surgery, or in vitro fertilization—a vegetable-fruit fast offers a natural, non-invasive, and holistic alternative. Detailed information can be found in the book “Dr. Ewa Dąbrowska’s Diet. The Self-Healing Phenomenon of the Body. A Natural Method to Support Fertility.”

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common cause of infertility in women. The key factor in its development is insulin resistance—a condition in which the body’s cells respond poorly to insulin.

A vegetable-fruit fast effectively reduces insulin resistance, lowers insulin and estrogen levels, and supports weight loss. This makes it possible to remove the root cause of PCOS and restore proper ovarian function.

Weight loss is the primary non-pharmacological element of PCOS treatment, and its effectiveness is supported by numerous scientific studies.

Fallopian Tube Blockage

Fallopian tube blockage accounts for up to 30% of infertility cases and is often an indication for in vitro fertilization. A vegetable-fruit fast activates the body’s natural regenerative mechanisms, such as phagocytosis (removal of adhesions by immune cells) and autophagy (elimination of damaged cellular structures), restoring tube patency and fertility.

Such a fast can also help combat infections that often accompany blockages, increasing the chance of restored fertility.

Recurrent Miscarriage

Recurrent miscarriage is one of the most common pregnancy complications. One of its causes can be chronic inflammation, often associated with obesity. Studies have shown that the risk of neonatal death increases by 55% when the mother is obese.

The Western diet, low in omega-3 fatty acids and high in omega-6, promotes inflammation and increases miscarriage risk. A vegetable-fruit fast supports weight reduction and restores the omega-3 to omega-6 balance, which greatly benefits women experiencing recurrent miscarriage.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis and uterine fibroids are benign reproductive disorders that can be effectively managed with a vegetable-fruit fast.

In endometriosis, retrograde menstruation occurs—fragments of the uterine lining travel through the tubes to the peritoneal cavity or other organs, where they form inflammatory lesions, cysts, adhesions, and scars. Fasting helps alleviate chronic pain and reduce symptoms. Food intolerance testing and potential supplementation with iodine, selenium, zinc, vitamin C, and B vitamins are also recommended. Best results are seen after longer fasting cycles (4–6 weeks).

Uterine Fibroids

These are the most common benign tumors of the uterus. Their growth is stimulated by estrogen, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor—substances that increase, among others, due to sugar and animal product consumption.

A vegetable-fruit fast limits these factors, and the bioactive compounds in plants—especially polyphenols—exert anti-inflammatory effects, supporting autophagy and phagocytosis mechanisms. Observations indicate that fibroid diameter may decrease by up to 1 cm for each week of fasting.

Autoimmune and infectious diseases

A vegetable-fruit fast can support the treatment of many autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, liver cirrhosis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, or allergies (e.g., asthma, eczema). Beneficial effects are also seen in bacterial and viral infections. Vitamin D3 with K2 plays an important role in restoring immune function.

Autoimmune diseases are inflammatory conditions in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. Key factors in their development include:

  1. Leaky gut – allowing undigested proteins to enter the bloodstream.
  2. Food intolerances – immune reactions to specific proteins (e.g., gluten, dairy, eggs, yeast).
  3. Cross-reactivity – similarity between dietary proteins and body tissues triggering an autoimmune response.

Fasting improves gut integrity, reduces inflammation, and helps restore immune balance. When using immunosuppressive drugs (e.g., steroids), the effectiveness of fasting may be diminished, and intolerance test results may be unreliable.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
An autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid, where antibodies (anti-TPO, anti-TG) destroy thyroid cells, leading to hypothyroidism. A vegetable-fruit fast can lower antibody levels and, in some cases, even promote regeneration of damaged thyroid tissue. It is important to eliminate intolerant foods and monitor iodine intake.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
A disease in which the immune system attacks the synovial membrane of the joints (anti-CCP, RF antibodies). Fasting can reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling, and improve joint mobility—especially in early stages. It is crucial to exclude common intolerant foods (typically dairy, eggs, grains, and yeast).

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Antibodies attack cell nuclei (ANA). Fasting helps lower antibody levels, reduces fatigue and pain, and improves lab results. Remember to eliminate any identified food intolerances.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
In MS, antibodies destroy the myelin sheath of neurons. Fasting may improve neurological function, reduce relapse rates, and alleviate symptoms of paralysis. Results are better when intolerant foods are removed.

Psoriasis
Skin lesions often regress after just one fasting cycle, even after years of disease. Continued adherence to an unprocessed plant-based diet and elimination of intolerant foods is key.

Atopic Dermatitis
Fasting relieves itching, redness, and skin cracking. It often leads to resolution of lesions and improved skin condition. Identifying and removing intolerant foods is also important.

Infectious Diseases
Fasting supports immunity. Initially, leukocyte counts decrease and defective cells are cleared; in later stages, stem cell populations increase to rebuild a robust immune system. Fasting also activates NK (“natural killer”) cells, which fight not only cancer cells but also viruses and bacteria, including Borrelia spirochetes. Transient symptoms during fasting (e.g., cold sores) may signal improved immunity.

Fasting has also proven effective in treating prolonged COVID, known as long COVID.

Degenerative diseases

Fasting can effectively support the treatment of degenerative conditions affecting, among others, the joints (osteoarthritis, Baker’s cyst, heel spurs), the gastric mucosa (stomach ulcers), cysts, periodontal disease, lens degeneration of the eyes (cataracts), and more.

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disorder characterized by damage to the articular cartilage. The key mechanism driving its development is an imbalance between cartilage repair and degradation. Metalloproteinase enzymes, responsible for breaking down collagen and proteoglycans, accelerate this process in response to inflammation. Their activation is promoted, among other factors, by a diet rich in simple sugars and trans fats.

Fasting can effectively slow cartilage degradation while supporting regenerative processes. It reduces inflammation and activates the body’s cleansing mechanisms, such as phagocytosis (removal of damaged cells) and autophagy (cellular cleanup). Under fasting conditions, cartilage stem cells may differentiate into new chondrocytes, which promotes joint repair.

Additionally, plant polyphenols have the ability to inhibit metalloproteinase activity, thereby protecting joint structure. As a result, patients often experience reduced pain, relief from contractures, improved range of motion, and even the straightening of previously locked joints—all without the need for surgical intervention.

Cancer prevention

In the face of rising cancer incidence, effective prevention becomes a priority. More and more studies point to the beneficial impact of fasting.

Fasting works on multiple levels in cancer prevention and as an adjunct to therapy.
It exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, activates autophagy (the process of removing damaged cells), lowers insulin and other growth factors, thereby contributing to the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. Additionally, it enhances the activity of NK cells (natural killer lymphocytes), which are responsible for directly destroying cancer cells.

All malignant tumors share a common trait – they derive energy primarily through anaerobic glycolysis, even in the presence of oxygen. This contrasts with healthy cells, which rely on oxidative phosphorylation. Glucose is the main energy source for tumors. During fasting, however, the body’s primary fuels become ketone bodies and fatty acids – products of fat breakdown that cancer cells cannot efficiently use. As a result, the tumor can be “starved.”

Vegetables and fruits play an additional role in the fight against cancer, as they are rich sources of polyphenols – compounds with anticancer properties. They also provide valuable fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support the immune system.

Undergoing a controlled fast, especially before planned chemotherapy or radiotherapy, can increase cancer cells’ sensitivity to treatment while protecting healthy cells from the therapy’s toxic effects. Polyphenols in the diet may also target cancer stem cells and block angiogenesis – the formation of blood vessels within the tumor – effectively limiting its further growth.

Hypertension

Hypertension is one of the most common diseases in the world, especially prevalent in developed countries. It is a serious health condition because it is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

It can develop silently for years, although it is often accompanied by symptoms such as headaches and dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or a feeling of tightness in the chest.

One of the main causes of hypertension is the so-called Western diet—rich in processed foods, salt, fats, and sugars, and poor in fruits and vegetables. The latter provide potassium and antioxidants that help regulate blood pressure by neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals damage endothelial cells in blood vessels, reducing the production of nitric oxide—a vasodilator. As a result, vessels constrict and pressure rises. Fasting and diets high in plant polyphenols help neutralize free radicals, thereby supporting nitric oxide production and lowering blood pressure.

Under normal conditions, insulin also stimulates nitric oxide production. However, in insulin resistance—when insulin levels are chronically elevated—the effect is reversed, and blood pressure increases. This happens due to sympathetic nervous system activation, increased sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, weight gain, and angiotensinogen production by visceral fat. Additionally, dehydration can contribute to hypertension.

The most effective approaches for lowering blood pressure are fasting and plant-based diets. They reduce oxidative stress, decrease visceral fat (limiting angiotensinogen production), support nitric oxide production, and raise adiponectin levels—a hormone with anti-inflammatory and hypotensive effects.

The results of a vegetable-fruit fast are impressive: after just one week of treatment, over 70% of patients saw their blood pressure return to normal. Regular physical activity also supports this effect.

Metabolic diseases

Fasting supports reduction of excess body fat and reverses liver steatosis. As a result, cellular insulin sensitivity improves, which is crucial because insulin resistance underlies many metabolic diseases: type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, lipid disorders, and gout. Therefore, treating one of these conditions can also bring improvements in others.

More information can be found in the book “Dr. Ewa Dąbrowska’s Diet. The Self-Healing Phenomenon of the Body. How to Reverse Diabetes, Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, and Obesity.”

Obesity

Despite decades of research and huge financial investments, effective methods for treating obesity and metabolic diseases are still lacking.

The main cause of obesity is an unhealthy lifestyle – primarily excessive consumption of processed foods and lack of physical activity.

A vegetable-fruit fast combined with exercise directly addresses the root causes of these diseases: excess calories and lack of movement.

Obesity is a hormonal disorder. Two hormones play a key role: insulin (produced by the pancreas) and cortisol (the stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands). A diet rich in processed carbohydrates (e.g. pizza, white bread, sweets) leads to increased insulin levels. Excess insulin can reprogram metabolism toward fat storage.

During fasting, insulin levels drop, which triggers weight loss and reversal of metabolic diseases.

Visceral (abdominal) obesity is particularly dangerous – visceral fat acts like a gland that secretes proinflammatory substances (adipokines), which promote insulin resistance and inflammation. Fasting reduces visceral fat, inhibiting adipokine production, and thus eliminates one of the main causes of metabolic disorders.

Additionally, fasting may alleviate conditions such as sleep apnea, snoring, deep vein thrombosis, and gout.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common metabolic diseases, associated with impaired glucose metabolism and insulin resistance – that is, reduced ability of cells to respond to insulin.

As early as 1963, Philip Randle proved that fats and sugars compete with each other as energy sources. When fats reach cells first, they block insulin action. If the liver and muscles become fatty, insulin cannot effectively “open the door” for glucose – leaving it in the blood.

As a result, blood sugar levels rise, and the pancreas produces more and more insulin to “push” excess glucose into cells for burning. Insulin can exacerbate atherosclerosis and other vascular complications. Diabetes can progress silently for years – with a normal glucose level but chronically elevated insulin.

Even healthy fats, such as vegetable oils, can worsen insulin resistance if consumed in excess. Conversely, natural carbohydrates, like fruits (even sweet) or potatoes, do not cause insulin resistance – provided they are not accompanied by excess fat.

A vegetable-fruit fast, by reducing visceral fat and organ steatosis, improves insulin sensitivity. It can also restore pancreatic function and lead to disease reversal.

Additionally, fasting can limit or even reverse diabetic complications:

  • polyneuropathy (nerve damage),
  • nephropathy (kidney damage),
  • angiopathy (vascular damage, e.g., diabetic foot),
  • retinopathy (vision damage).

After just one week of a vegetable-fruit fast, over 80% of patients observed normalization of glucose levels.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arteries, leading to plaque buildup and narrowing of blood vessels.

Reduced blood flow to the heart or brain can result in a heart attack or stroke. Ischemic heart disease, resulting from atherosclerosis, remains the leading cause of death worldwide.

Atherosclerosis can develop even from childhood. For many years it progresses without symptoms. Lifestyle – especially a diet rich in processed foods and lack of exercise – plays a key role in its development. The so-called Western diet promotes lifestyle diseases, including atherosclerosis.

The 1994 INTERHEART study showed that the risk of heart attack can be reduced by up to 80% by following three principles:

  1. eat vegetables and fruits,
  2. be physically active,
  3. do not smoke cigarettes.

Atherosclerosis begins with damage to the endothelium – the inner lining of blood vessels. One cause can be vitamin C deficiency. Its lack causes free radicals to oxidize “bad” LDL cholesterol, which immune cells then deposit in the vessels, leading to inflammation and plaque formation.

Fasting and a plant-based diet are effective methods for preventing and treating ischemic heart disease. Reducing fat, especially visceral fat, increases adiponectin – a substance with anti-inflammatory effects that raises HDL, lowers blood pressure, and improves insulin sensitivity.

Physical activity:

  • improves circulation and oxygenation of the heart muscle,
  • supports the formation of new blood vessels,
  • increases the number of mitochondria, which improves heart performance.

After just one week of fasting, many patients experience relief from shortness of breath and chest pain, as well as improved exercise tolerance. A six-week regimen can lead to reversal of atherosclerotic changes and normalization of cholesterol levels.

Strengthening health

Regular use of fruit and vegetable fasting can effectively promote body cleansing and strengthen health, both body and spirit.

Fasting, although most often associated with healing, is primarily an effective method of prevention. Strengthening health in healthy people remains often underestimated, yet many diseases take years to develop without showing obvious symptoms.

Even short, intermittent fasts help cleanse the body of toxins, provide bioactive plant compounds and micronutrients, and restore the physiological balance of the body. Regularly practiced fasting can prevent many chronic diseases.

It has been observed that people with diabetes, atherosclerosis, peptic ulcer disease or collagenosis who switch to a healthy plant-based diet and practice fasting often experience improved health. Fasting can also aid in the treatment of infertility.

One of the key effects of fasting is the strengthening of the immune system, then infections, colds, tonsillitis disappear, sleep quality, concentration, memory improve. Sometimes there is a so-called clarity of mind, promoting personal development. Individuals regain passion, take on new challenges, start businesses, return to work or study.

Seniors who regularly practice fasting look younger, are full of energy, and their examinations (e.g., ECGs) often show no atherosclerotic changes.

Man is a unity of body, mind and spirit. Fasting can restore balance between these spheres. Renunciations promote self-control, kindness, deepening of relationships and spiritual growth. Sometimes it leads to a deeper experience of life and even conversion.

Strengthening health

Regular practice of vegetable–fruit fasts can effectively support the body’s detoxification and strengthen health, both physical and spiritual.

Although fasting is most often associated with therapy, it is primarily an effective preventive method. Strengthening the health of healthy individuals often goes undervalued, while many diseases develop for years without clear symptoms.

Even short, periodic fasts help cleanse the body of toxins, provide bioactive plant compounds and micronutrients, and restore physiological balance. Regular fasting can prevent many chronic diseases.

It has been observed that people with diabetes, atherosclerosis, peptic ulcer disease, or collagenoses who adopt a healthy plant-based diet and practice fasting often experience health improvements. Fasting can also support infertility treatment.

One of the key effects of fasting is strengthening the immune system, after which infections, colds, and sore throats disappear, sleep quality, concentration, and memory improve. Sometimes a so-called clarity of mind emerges, conducive to personal development. People regain passion, take on new challenges, start businesses, and return to work or studies.

Seniors who regularly practice fasting look younger, are full of energy, and their tests (e.g., ECG) often show no atherosclerotic changes.

A human is a unity of body, mind, and spirit. Fasting can restore balance between these spheres. Abstinence promotes self-control, kindness, deeper relationships, and spiritual growth. Sometimes this leads to a deeper experience of life and even spiritual renewal.

Principles of treatment with a fruit and vegetable diet

For a period ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on the indications, it is recommended to follow a fast based on low-starch vegetables: root vegetables (carrot, beetroot, celery, parsley root, radish), cruciferous vegetables (various types of cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, sprouts), alliums (onion, leek, garlic), cucurbits (pumpkin, zucchini, cucumbers), nightshades (tomato, pepper), and leafy greens (various types of lettuce, parsley leaves, herbs).

At the same time, small amounts of low-sugar fruits such as apples, grapefruits, lemons, and berries can be consumed. Green juices made from leafy plant shoots are particularly valuable. These are a richer source of bioactive compounds than roots and contain chlorophyll, which is chemically similar to hemoglobin. They have active enzymes that cleanse, detoxify, renew the blood, aid digestion, alkalize the body, and provide oxygen, energy, vitamins, and minerals in their most absorbable form. Examples of green shoots for juices include: parsley leaves, celery stalks, beet greens, dandelion, nettle, sorrel, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, kale, lettuce, alfalfa sprouts, and wheatgrass.
Vegetables and fruits are recommended to be consumed mostly raw — in the form of salads, smoothies, and vegetable soups seasoned with herbs, as well as steamed or baked vegetables.

Among beverages, it is recommended to drink water, vegetable and fruit juices, fruit or herbal teas, sugar-free compotes, and vegetable broths.

During the treatment, no other foods should be consumed, such as bread, groats, oil, etc. You should also avoid drinking coffee, strong tea, alcohol, and refrain from smoking cigarettes.

Sample daily menu

(when fasting, it is a good idea to support yourself with publications with ready-made recipes or an app with a ready-made menu and shopping list)

Start the day by drinking 1 glass of water with lemon, or acidified with two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar.

In the morning (before breakfast):

1 glass of lemon water with a pinch of unrefined salt or the addition of two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar

Breakfast:

  • Tomato juice
  • Beetroot sourdough with garlic (hot)
  • Salad: carrots with apple and lemon
  • Salad: sauerkraut, apple, chives
  • Cooked broccoli with dill

Lunch:

  • Green juice from apple and kale
  • Salad: fresh cabbage, carrots, dill
  • Salad: tomato with onion and pickled cucumber
  • Cauliflower cream soup
  • Apple compote (sugar-free, with cloves and cinnamon)

Dinner:

  • Multi vegetable juice
  • Salad: celery and white radish with broccoli sprouts
  • Salad: tart apple with strawberries
  • Cooked cured zucchini, tomatoes, onions and peppers with herbal spices
  • Mint tea
    ½ grapefruit

Over 30 years of experience of Dr. Ewa Dabrowska in one application

Now you can freely draw on her knowledge
and easily achieve your goal!

Diet versions

Vegetables and fruits in their raw form are the most valuable, as they have active enzymes and biocatalysts, among them thousands of antioxidants, including polyphenols, lycopene, vitamin C and vitamin E, beta carotene, chlorophyll, micronutrients and fiber, which is why the raw-only version of the diet has proven to be highly effective therapeutically, but also no less effective and most widely used is the classic version of the diet, which contains vegetables and fruits (mostly raw), with the addition of cooked in a ratio of, for example. 3/4 raw plants and 1/4 cooked.

There are cases when the vegetable and fruit diet is poorly tolerated. In case of the appearance of abdominal pain, persistent bloating or aversion to the diet, a juice version (vegetable and fruit juices, water, fruit and herbal teas, vegetable decoctions) or a cooked version (cooked vegetables, vegetable soups, cooked apples) is recommended for a few days, especially at the beginning of the treatment. However, longer periods of use of the cooked version do not give beneficial results.

There are also elimination versions of the fruit and vegetable diet, which exclude certain foods, especially salt and pickled cucumbers in patients with hypertension and edema, since salt retains water, increases blood pressure and aggravates edema, or a version of the diet excluding cooked vegetables and fruits: e.g., carrots, pumpkin, beets. carrots, pumpkin, beets, also apple mousse and carrot juice, mainly in patients with diabetes and obesity, as cooked vegetables have higher glycemic indices than raw ones and can therefore increase c

Food intolerance
testing

Order a testOrder a test

Supporting the cleansing of the body during a diet

Modern lifestyles are not conducive to health, as evidenced by the alarming number of sick people, as well as premature deaths. Toxins and micronutrient deficiencies are considered the main cause of diseases of modern civilization. Vegetable and fruit fasting can remedy this, as it is a therapy that cleanses the body of toxins (detoxification); at the same time, it supplements micronutrient deficiencies.

To improve the purification processes, it is worthwhile to support such a treatment with increased physical activity, since movement activates the same mechanisms in the body as fasting; it also promotes the elimination of toxins, reduction of body weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, etc. In particular, outdoor walking, such as Nordic Walking, gymnastics, swimming, or moderate exercise at the gym have proven to be particularly valuable. Natural cleansing therapies such as enemas, hydrocolonotherapy, sauna, as well as massages and physical therapy treatments can also be helpful.