Did you know that your body runs to three 8-hour cycles per day? This is known as the circadian rhythms.





The following information is invaluable. I first came across it years ago in the bestselling health classic Fit for Life, by Harvey & Marilyn Diamond. Utilizing this knowledge throughout my own healthy eating/ raw food journey has made all the difference.





The 3 cycles are:

1) Elimination (of body wastes and food debris) 4am-12pm

2) Appropriation (eating and digestion)12pm-8pm

3) Assimilation (absorption and use) 8pm-4am



Although the body can be eating, digesting, using food and cleaning all at the same time to varying degrees, it has been found that from approximately 4am until noon, the body is cleansing itself (eliminating) - this is why, for example, people wake up with headaches, crusty eyes, furred tongues and so on - this is the debris coming out. It makes most sense for the body to be doing its housecleaning while we are asleep, because it's then that we are not exerting any extra energy and can let nature take its course.



ELIMINATION-During this first 8 hour period, the best foods we can possibly eat (if we want to) are fruits or fruit, veg or green juices, because they require minimal digestion and are the only foods which have been found not to interfere with this cleansing process. Therefore the ideal scenario is to try and incorporate as much fresh fruit or juice into your morning routine and slowly cut down (and ideally, out) on other items. Basically, as soon as you eat anything else, the cleansing stops. I'm convinced that my keeping to this routine for so long is largely responsible for keeping my weight low and my energy high. And you just feel so clean too!

Harvey states, “The elimination cycle is without question your greatest ally in the prevention of health and prevention of disease”..in their second book Fit for life, Living Health.