This article is not medical advice and should not replace guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Rather, it is an exploration of biblical principles, scientific research, and personal experiences related to nutrition, fasting, prayer, and natural healing.
Why I Won't Stop Talking About Natural Healing
Over the last few years, I have become increasingly passionate about natural healing.
At conferences, retreats, campfires, coffee shops, and even while traveling the country, I find myself talking about food, fasting, juicing, prayer, and the body's incredible ability to heal.
And honestly?
Sometimes I feel overlooked.
Sometimes I feel like people smile politely and then move on.
It can be discouraging because once you begin studying how God designed the human body, you start seeing evidence everywhere that our bodies were created with an incredible capacity to heal.
Not only do I see it in Scripture, but I see it in scientific research as well.
I believe many people have been taught how to manage symptoms but have never been taught how to support the body's God-given healing systems.
That doesn't mean modern medicine never has a place. There are certainly situations where it can be life-saving.
But I believe food, fasting, prayer, movement, rest, and stewardship should be the foundation—not the last resort.
So even when people don't listen, I'll keep talking about it.
Because if one person finds hope, healing, or a new direction through what I've learned, it's worth it.
Our Bodies Were Designed to Heal
Every second of every day your body is working on your behalf.
It repairs damaged tissue.
It removes waste.
It fights infection.
It regulates hormones.
It produces new cells.
The human body is not designed for disease—it is designed for healing.
The problem is that many of us are constantly working against those healing systems through processed foods, toxins, stress, poor sleep, and chronic inflammation.
Healing often begins by removing what harms the body and supplying what helps it thrive.
What the Bible Says About Food and Healing
Long before nutrition science existed, God spoke about food.
Genesis 1:29
"I have given you every herb bearing seed... and every tree with fruit yielding seed; to you it shall be for food."
God's original design included nutrient-rich plants.
Ezekiel 47:12
"Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing."
Notice that healing and food are connected.
Jeremiah 30:17
"For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord."
God is still a healer today.
Healing is not only physical—it is spiritual, emotional, and relational as well.
Biblical Benefits of Fasting
Fasting appears throughout Scripture.
Jesus fasted.
The disciples fasted.
The early church fasted.
Matthew 6:16-18
Jesus didn't say "if" you fast.
He said:
"When you fast...and your Father who sees you everything will reward you."
Joel 2:12
"Return to me with all your heart, with fasting..."
Psalm 35:13
"I humbled my soul with fasting."
Isaiah 58:6
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen..."
Throughout Scripture, fasting was connected to:
- seeking God's direction
- healing
- repentance
- breakthrough
- spiritual clarity
- dependence upon God
The Missing Piece: Prayer and God's Direction
Food matters.
Juicing matters.
Fasting matters.
But I believe prayer comes first.
One of the most powerful things we can pray is:
Lord, what am I doing that I shouldn't be doing?
What am I not doing that I should be doing?
What am I doing that I could be doing better?
God knows our bodies better than anyone.
Ask Him:
- What foods should I eat?
- What habits should I change?
- What toxins should I eliminate?
- What natural remedies could support healing?
- Who should I learn from?
- What resources should I read?
James 1:5
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God..."
God often guides us one step at a time.
Sometimes He leads through Scripture.
Sometimes through a sermon.
Sometimes through a friend.
Sometimes through research.
Sometimes through a doctor.
Sometimes through a book.
Healing is often a partnership between divine guidance and faithful stewardship.
Scientific Evidence for Fasting and Healing
One of the things that has strengthened my faith in God's design is seeing how modern science continues to discover benefits from practices that have existed in Scripture for thousands of years.
While fasting is first and foremost a spiritual discipline, researchers have spent decades studying how fasting impacts the body. Below are some of the most well-known areas of research for those who want to explore the science for themselves.
1. Autophagy: The Body's Cellular Cleanup Process
One of the most fascinating discoveries related to fasting involves a process called autophagy, which literally means "self-eating."
Autophagy is the body's natural process of breaking down and recycling damaged cellular components.
In 2016, Japanese cell biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries regarding the mechanisms of autophagy. His work helped scientists better understand how cells remove damaged material and recycle cellular waste.
Research Links:
While Ohsumi's work was not a clinical study proving fasting cures disease, it helped establish the biological importance of cellular recycling and repair.
2. Intermittent Fasting and Metabolic Health
One of the most cited scientific reviews on fasting was published in the New England Journal of Medicine by researchers Rafael de Cabo and Mark Mattson.
The review found evidence that intermittent fasting may improve:
-
insulin sensitivity
-
blood sugar regulation
-
obesity-related risk factors
-
blood pressure
-
inflammation markers
The authors concluded that intermittent fasting appears to have broad effects on health and aging.
Research Links:
3. Fasting and Reduced Inflammation
Chronic inflammation has been associated with many modern diseases.
Researchers continue to study how fasting may influence inflammatory pathways throughout the body.
The New England Journal review noted improvements in inflammation markers among fasting participants and identified fasting as a promising area for continued research.
Research Link:
4. Fasting and Brain Health
Research has also explored the effects of fasting on the brain.
Scientists have found that fasting may stimulate production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein involved in neuron growth, repair, and brain plasticity.
Researchers continue studying how fasting may influence cognitive function and healthy aging.
Research Links:
5. Fasting, Longevity, and Cellular Repair
Many researchers believe fasting activates a "metabolic switch" where the body transitions from relying primarily on glucose to utilizing stored fat and ketones for fuel.
Scientists are investigating how this switch may support:
-
stress resistance
-
cellular repair
-
healthy aging
-
metabolic flexibility
The New England Journal review highlighted evidence that fasting patterns may promote increased longevity and disease resistance in both animal and human studies.
Research Link:
A Balanced Perspective
I believe it's important to approach both Scripture and science with humility.
Not every health claim on the internet is supported by evidence.
Not every natural remedy works for every person.
And fasting should be approached carefully, especially by those who are pregnant, diabetic, underweight, taking medications, or managing medical conditions.
For me, the takeaway is not that fasting is a miracle cure.
The takeaway is that both Scripture and modern research point toward something remarkable:
Our bodies possess powerful built-in systems for repair, renewal, and healing—and God designed them that way.
That truth continues to inspire me to pursue health through prayer, wisdom, stewardship, and a deeper appreciation for the incredible body God created.
Why Juicing Can Be So Powerful
Juicing allows you to consume large quantities of vegetables and nutrients in a highly absorbable form.
While juicing isn't a magic cure, it can be a powerful tool for:
- increasing nutrient intake
- supporting detoxification
- improving hydration
- supporting healing during a health reset
I personally love using fresh juices as part of fasting and healing protocols.
Three Healing Juice Recipes
Liver Support Juice
Ingredients:
- 1 beet
- 2 carrots
- 1 green apple
- ½ lemon
- fresh ginger
Benefits:
- Supports liver detoxification
- Encourages healthy blood flow
- Provides antioxidants
Kidney Support Juice
Ingredients:
- 3 celery stalks
- 1 cucumber
- handful parsley
- ½ lemon
- 1 green apple
Benefits:
- Supports hydration
- Encourages kidney function
- Rich in minerals
Anti-Inflammatory Green Juice
Ingredients:
- spinach
- cucumber
- celery
- lemon
- ginger
- green apple
Benefits:
- Rich in antioxidants
- Supports immune health
- Helps combat inflammation
Vegetables That Support Specific Organs
Liver Support
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Garlic
Kidney Support
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Parsley
- Lemon
- Watermelon
Heart Support
- Berries
- Tomatoes
- Avocados
- Leafy Greens
- Beets
Immune Support
- Carrots
- Sweet Potatoes
- Spinach
- Citrus Fruits
God created foods packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, and phytonutrients that support different systems throughout the body. Anyone who's just getting started juicing, I ALWAYS recommend bare minimum beets, celery, carrots and pineapple...that way you have the support of all of them kickstarting your health journey off with a bang!
My Personal Journey with Natural Healing
My passion for natural healing didn't come from reading a book.
It came from walking through difficult seasons to include 10 years of horrible fibromyalgia symptoms and experiencing firsthand how lifestyle, nutrition, faith, and perseverance can impact health.
That experiences deepened my passion for this topic which led me to helping my ex during his cancer journey.
If you'd like to read more about that experience, you can read:
Walking Through Cancer, Faith & Healing Outside the System: A 60 Day Reset
That journey reinforced my belief that healing should address the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
Resources That Helped Me
If you're interested in learning more, check out my Amazon Storefront to view the resources that have influenced my understanding of natural healing which includes juicing, healing nutrition, Biblical health & detoxification books as well as the accessories I use for juicing and healing naturally.
Final Thoughts
The more I study Scripture and science, the more convinced I become that God knew exactly what He was doing when He designed the human body.
Our bodies are constantly working to heal.
Healing may not always happen instantly.
Healing may not always happen the way we expect.
But God gave us tools.
He gave us prayer.
He gave us wisdom.
He gave us food.
He gave us rest.
He gave us fasting.
He gave us His Word.
My prayer is that more people begin asking God how to steward the bodies He entrusted to them.
Ask Him what needs to change.
Ask Him what needs to stay.
Ask Him what needs to grow.
And then take one faithful step at a time.
Because sometimes healing begins with a prescription.
Sometimes it begins with a prayer.
Sometimes it begins with a glass of fresh juice.
And sometimes it begins with simply believing that the God who created your body still knows how to restore it.
A Prayer for Healing, Wisdom, and Stewardship
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for creating our bodies with such incredible wisdom and design. Thank You for being the Author of life, the Great Physician, and the One who knows every cell, every struggle, and every need within us.
Lord, I lift up every person reading this article today. You know their health concerns, their fears, their frustrations, and the answers they are searching for.
I pray that You would give them wisdom and discernment as they pursue better health. Show them what changes they need to make. Reveal what habits, foods, thoughts, or patterns may be hindering their healing, and gently guide them toward the choices that will honor You and nourish the body You have entrusted to them.
Father, help them to hear Your voice clearly. Lead them to the right resources, the right people, the right research, and the right solutions for their unique circumstances. Open doors to knowledge and understanding that will help them steward their health with wisdom.
For those who are struggling with chronic illness, pain, fatigue, inflammation, disease, addiction, anxiety, or discouragement, I ask that You surround them with Your peace and comfort. Remind them that they are not alone and that You see every tear, every setback, and every victory.
Lord, give them strength when change feels difficult. Give them discipline when old habits are hard to break. Give them endurance when healing takes longer than expected. Help them remain faithful in the small daily choices that lead toward greater health and wholeness.
Most importantly, draw them closer to You through this journey. May they seek not only physical healing but a deeper relationship with the One who created them. Teach them to trust You step by step, even when they cannot see the entire path ahead.
We thank You for the foods You created, the wisdom You provide, the healing You offer, and the hope we have in You.
Whether healing comes through prayer, lifestyle changes, medical care, natural remedies, or a combination of many tools, we trust that every good gift comes from Your hand.
Thank You for loving us, guiding us, and never leaving us.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
✨ Grace, adventure, and faith along the journey
Sharla – Sharla’s Wanderlust Adventures
Don’t forget — go somewhere new, heal the way God designed, and glorify Him in the journey.
My Challenge to YOU: Go somewhere new, heal the way God designed, and give Him all the glory in all you do.
About Sharla
Hi, I'm Sharla—a veteran, traveler, empty nester, dog mom to Buster, and follower of Jesus. Through Sharla's Wanderlust Adventures, I share faith-filled travel experiences, Christian retreats, natural wellness, Bible studies, and the lessons God teaches me along the journey.
Affiliate Disclosure:
Sharla’s Wanderlust Adventures is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on this site, I may earn a small affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. I only share tools, resources, and products I’ve personally used, researched, or believe genuinely support healing.