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The Health Benefits of Fasting
Biology 103
2002 First Paper
On Serendip
The Health Benefits of Fasting
Will Carroll
There has been much contention in the scientific field about whether or not fasting is beneficial to one's health. Fasting is an integral part of many of the major religions including Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Many are dubious as to whether the physiological effects are as beneficial as the spiritual promoted by these religions. There is a significant community of alternative healers who believe that fasting can do wonders for the human body. This paper will look at the arguments presented by these healers in an attempt to raise awareness of the possible physiological benefits that may result from fasting.
Fasting technically commences within the first twelve to twenty-four hours of the fast. A fast does not chemically begin until the carbohydrate stores in the body begin to be used as an energy source. The fast will continue as long as fat and carbohydrate stores are used for energy, as opposed to protein stores. Once protein stores begin to be depleted for energy (resulting in loss of muscle mass) a person is technically starving. (1)
The benefits of fasting must be preceded by a look at the body's progression when deprived of food. Due to the lack of incoming energy, the body must turn to its own resources, a function called autolysis. (2) Autolysis is the breaking down of fat stores in the body in order to produce energy. The liver is in charge of converting the fats into a chemical called a ketone body, "the metabolic substances acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid" (3), and then distributing these bodies throughout the body via the blood stream. "When this fat utilization occurs, free fatty acids are released into the blood stream and are used by the liver for energy." (3) The less one eats, the more the body turns to these stored fats and creates these ketone bodies, the accumulation of which is referred to as ketosis. (4)
Detoxification is the foremost argument presented by advocates of fasting. "Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and skin." (5). This process is precipitated by fasting because when food is no longer entering the body, the body turns to fat reserves for energy. "Human fat is valued at 3,500 calories per pound," a number that would lead one to believe that surviving on one pound of fat every day would provide a body with enough energy to function normally. (2) These fat reserves were created when excess glucose and carbohydrates were not used for energy or growth, not excreted, and therefore converted into fat. When the fat reserves are used for energy during a fast, it releases the chemicals from the fatty acids into the system which are then eliminated through the aforementioned organs. Chemicals not found in food but absorbed from one's environment, such as DDT, are also stored in fat reserves that may be released during a fast. One fasting advocate tested his own urine, feces and sweat during an extended fast and found traces of DDT in each. (5)
A second prescribed benefit of fasting is the healing process that begins in the body during a fast. During a fast energy is diverted away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the metabolism and immune system. (6) The healing process during a fast is precipitated by the body's search for energy sources. Abnormal growths within the body, tumors and the like, do not have the full support of the body's supplies and therefore are more susceptible to autolysis. Furthermore, "production of protein for replacement of damaged cells (protein synthesis) occurs more efficiently because fewer 'mistakes' are made by the DNA/RNA genetic controls which govern this process." A higher efficiency in protein synthesis results in healthier cells, tissues and organs. (7) This is one reason that animals stop eating when they are wounded, and why humans lose hunger during influenza. Hunger has been proven absent in illnesses such as gastritis, tonsillitis and colds. (2) Therefore, when one is fasting, the person is consciously diverting energy from the digestive system to the immune system.
In addition, there is a reduction in core body temperature. This is a direct result of the slower metabolic rate and general bodily functions. Following a drop in blood sugar level and using the reserves of glucose found in liver glycogen, the basal metabolic rate (BMR) is reduced in order to conserve as much energy within the body as can be provided. (2) Growth hormones are also released during a fast, due to the greater efficiency in hormone production. (7)
Finally, the most scientifically proven advantage to fasting is the feeling of rejuvenation and extended life expectancy. Part of this phenomenon is caused by a number of the benefits mentioned above. A slower metabolic rate, more efficient protein production, an improved immune system, and the increased production of hormones contributes to this long-term benefit of fasting. In addition to the Human Growth Hormone that is released more frequently during a fast, an anti-aging hormone is also produced more efficiently. (7) "The only reliable way to extend the lifespan of a mammal is under-nutrition without malnutrition." (5) A study was performed on earthworms that demonstrated the extension of life due to fasting. The experiment was performed in the 1930s by isolating one worm and putting it on a cycle of fasting and feeding. The isolated worm outlasted its relatives by 19 generations, while still maintaining its youthful physiological traits. The worm was able to survive on its own tissue for months. Once the size of the worm began to decrease, the scientists would resume feeding it at which point it showed great vigor and energy. "The life-span extension of these worms was the equivalent of keeping a man alive for 600 to 700 years." (8)
In conclusion, it seems that there are many reasons to consider fasting as a benefit to one's health. The body rids itself of the toxins that have built up in our fat stores throughout the years. The body heals itself, repairs all the damaged organs during a fast. And finally there is good evidence to show that regulated fasting contributes to longer life. However, many doctors warn against fasting for extended periods of time without supervision. There are still many doctors today who deny all of these points and claim that fasting is detrimental to one's health and have evidence to back their statements. The idea of depriving a body of what society has come to view as so essential to our survival in order to heal continues to be a topic of controversy.
References
1)"Dr. Sniadach – True Health Freedom 3
4)"Nutriquest, March 11th, 2000 – Ketosis and Low Carbohydrate Diets"
5)"WebMD – Detox Diets: Cleansing the Body"
7)"Fasting – Good Morning Doctor"
8)"The health Benefits of Fasting"
Comments made prior to 2007
The term for the breaking down of fat is lipolysis, not autolysis. Autolysis is the self-destruction of cells ... Paul, 3 April 2007
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Comments
fasting
I've experienced the calm that abides a fast, When one looks at food during a long fast, it appears like any other material.
I think that eating might actually increase our morbidity rates, if one considers that biological process can be tweaked in the future through synthetic biological design. Imagine humans someday reverse engineering our intricate and complex systems. Say, in the future we take a fast nap while receiving a theraputic and wake up in three weeks with a newly repaired body...
MY FIRST DAY and WILL I GAIN THE WEIGHT BACK??
hi, im David, im 5'10 and 220 lbs. (i should weight about 180-190 lbs)
Im planning to do the water fast for about 30 days.
ive done the diet a year ago and it didn't turn out so well.
Well now im SUPER FREAKIn' motivated for the detoxification of my body and weight LOSS!
But im VERY curious, will i REALLY gain all the weight back?
After the 30 days of the fast, i start eating very healthy and exercise WILL i still gain ALL the weight back?
Well, many thanx, and i hope to hear from you ppl.
(please reply/comment)
First of all for those
First of all for those who think fasting is inappropriate, it is OK to be ignorant. Humans nature fears what it is unknown... And the side effect of fear is rejection.
I been practicing water fasting for about a year only for 5 days once in a while. My mother taught me since she has practiced it since I was a young child.
I am 5'10 and weight 198 pounds mostly muscle. I am also on my fourth day of water fasting and planning to do a 21 day. I am feeling great and always willing to help !
This statement is for those who are open minded!
It only takes a closer look at how the economy of our country works. The regular consumer like you and me contributes to 70% of consumption which turns into production in our economy.
If every doctor out there on every clinic you find in the corner and every hospital tells patients to fast, they will be out of business. In addition, FDA, chain food/local restaurants, BARS! and cigarette companies will suffer major losses in profits if the entire population gets savy and begins practicing fasting. If you think the economy is bad right now for some, just take a second and imagine if the whole country begins to educate themselves about fasting and decide to fast. Just imagine what will be the outcome?
What ever the outome you can imagine. It does not matter because if you want a physical and spiritual promotion in your life. be open minded and have the courage to step up and learn about it because you are missing something very special, and is waiting just for you!!!!
Thank You,
Jordi
fasting
Well, if that doesn't sum it up I don't know what will! I too have fasted and the experience is so much beyond the body. It was by far one of the best things I've ever done in my life. In fact. I'm on day two of a water fast now. Give your self the gift of fasting, it's by far the greatest gift you will ever give yourself! What do you have to lose, bad health?
Jordi, I commend at your
Jordi,
I commend at your knowledge and dedication to fasting. It takes a lot of willpower to accomplish such a task. Keep up the good work :)
Joe
great essay did not read all
great essay did not read all of it just the beginning for which my comments are that it is assuming that everyone has extra fat and carbz that are not being used, what about the extremely healthy sporty people i am sure that fasting will actually damage their system. they eat enough cabz, protein and good fats on a day to day basis as they train
fasting to me does not make logical sense that it can be good for you, healthy people must eat little but often every 3 hours a day, as it mentions, if you do not your body goes into starvation mode and slows down your metabolism so how can fasting be great for the person who eats right quantities a day and uses every bit of their energy correctly?
anyway as i said i did not read all of it and do not know enough about it, all i can say that fasting contradicts what healthy eating nutritions suggest
water fast with fruit
I am 36 years old, since a child I enjoyed candy, or anything with sugar in it. Now that Im older I can eat a 10 pack of reece cups in one sitting. Yes I know thats not healthy and I know Im eating myself to a slow death. I want to know will it be safe for me to drink water and fresh fruit until I get this habit under control?
help...i really want to
help...i really want to start, cos i'm not happy with my weight, i feel horrible after meals but am hungry a lot. I've tried diets before and never seem to be able to stick with the plan, please give practical advise on how to deal with cravings and hunger pangs cos i have a decent to large appetite. But i need to change somehow.. i dont think i could do the water fast right away, the thought alone scares me, perhaps juice fast, are the results just as good? help
help...i really want to
Hey Charity, I know exactly what you're saying. I'm about 70 pounds overweight and have major food addictions (not that you do, of course) and panicked at the thought of going completely without food for an extended period of time. I fasted six days several years ago for a revival my church was having but was mislead and thought it was okay to drink Mountain Dew the entire time. Needless to say, those six days went by in a flash. ~LOL~
I've been impressed with the need, however to fast (for prayer) for the upcoming election and believe it or not, am in my sixth day of a ten-day water fast. I read that it's good to start and end any extensive water fast with juice so the first and last days are/will be juice.
It's not nearly as bad as I was afraid it'd be: Most people have a lot of hunger in the first couple of days, but I didn't. I have an excrutiating pinched nerve in my back but during the fast, I've quit taking the ibuprofen I normally take and unbelieveably, I haven't had hardly any pain. It's amazing. I've also lost ten pounds so far, which helps with the confidence. I really encourage you to give it a try.
God bless you,
Julie
hello Im trying to do a 2-3 day fast
This will be my first time trying to fast but I cannot seem to pull the trigger. I tried since Monday and by 8pm I have to eat. I will do it again and really try not to break my dicipline.
I hope you made it through
I hope you made it through your first fast. I used to have the same problem I would start off great then by the evening I had to have something. Something changed in me one day and I suddenly knew I was ready. I couldn't beleive I was able to make it through the first 24 hours. Believe me once you do it will feel amazing and you will just keep going. :)
water fasting - 3 days
hey i m on third day of my water fasting and I am feeling completely fatigued, not that I dont have energy but I just feel there something running in my head causing discomfort, I have mild headaches and feverish when I sleep and upon rising, I feel nauseating from start of half of second day and feel there something inside my stomach or my colon or large intestines wanting to come out. I tried induced vomitting but nothing came out except for burps, however I feel I have something inside my colon, can any one please tell me how to help your body in such situation.
I personally feel if my body just does a natural purging (constipation since 2days) I will completely feel better.
are sodium phosphates enemas good, I am not able to get water pouch enemas also the quantity of sodium phosphate enemas is around 100ml , is good enough?
please could any one elaborate on enemas, like how long one should wait before getting the urge ect ect
Thanks for listening.
your fast
i would recommend a coffee enema so you can get over the difficulty of your fast. i have a background of long distance hiking and dealing with lots of stress through exposure to northern latitude climates and cycling body fat through the process of oxygen washing. our ancestry did just that while they roamed as ice age hunters...
I just wanted to ask, is
I just wanted to ask, is enema necessary for 3days fast? frankly I just hate the idea of having to do that crazy act, I am literally scared of it.
Can one get depressed during fast?
Can I break my fast with - apple juice, pear fruit, pineapple in moderation.
Fasting makes you pure
In Indian mythology, fasting is regarded to purity. When a person fasts he basically rejuvenates his body and soul by giving them a break. The food we eat basically strains your abdomen and asks it to process. This never stops, do you give them a break? NO.
What if someone ask you to work 365 days a year without a break? Sounds good? no.
Its the same with your system, give it a break and it fucntions even better :-)
I do juice fasts.....
**I've done juice fasts since I was 16 years old. Juice fasts are MORE beneficial to your body than the water fast. Water fasts do not give you any nutrients, vitamins, minerals or antioxidants to help flush the toxins out of your body. Pick up a book on Juice fasting and follow it religiously. I make 3 juices a day and tons of water and caffeine free tea daily.!!!
For instance my juice in the afternoon consists of: Carrots, spinach, kale, broccoli, garlic clove, and cucumber. I'm getting all the vitamins and minerals in my body and I'm not starving my body or doing my body any harm. Water fasts are dangerous but I do understand people have done them since biblical years!!
JUICE FASTING IS SAFER AND MORE BENEFICAL! *****
I'm on my third day of my juice fast and I'm planning on a 14 day fast......you're eyes, skin, hair, breath, overall feeling is spectacular! That is why you need to juice fast instead of water fast.....the juices contribute to all of your shiny hair, clear eyes, etc. It's all the vitamins and minerals going into your system!!!!!!
fasting
everyone here try to fast only water and excersices i bet after 2 week you will lose atleast 5kg
fasting
Well, after six days and absolutely ZERO exercise, I've lost ten pounds (exactly 4.55kgs). I imagine with two weeks on only water, exercise would be next to impossible. I don't know if anybody will recommend going more than ten days on just water. (That's what I'm doing.)
Re: thank God people are
Yes, dear brother Muhammed Salim, you are absolutely correct. What amazes me is that the religion of Islam encourages healthy self and healthy society. Apart from fasting (which is enforced not only for the well being of self but also well being of society in total), drinking alcohol is absolutely prohibited as it is a social evil and causes personal, familial and social damages. In the same manner the religion prohibits illegitimate intimate relationships as they lead to several social and mental problems. I invite everyone to have an unbiased investigation of this divine religion, which reinforces the same principles as brought down by major religions but have long been forgotten or ignored.
With all due respect to
With all due respect to Islam, please keep your preaching about your faith off the forum. This is a discussion about FASTING, not the overall benefits and advantages of one faith. Moderators, I believe the last two posts would be appropriate to delete, as they don't particularly pertain to the discussion here. Thank you.
wider context re fasting
Faith and Fasting
faith and fasting. why not? I think it goes hand in hand we are working towards becoming better people the body and the spirit go hand in hand.this is coming from a new york jew who supports faith through whatever religion works for you.
Thank God, that people are
Thank God, that people are seeing the wisdom that God has taught us so long ago in his holy books. Im Muslim and this is the start of our holy month, Ramadan. During Ramadan, for about 30 days, we abstain from food, drink and sexual activity. Our fast lasts from sunrise to sunset, during this summer season that is about 12-14 hours. I encourage all of you to investigae Islam and the healthly lifestyle that it encourages. God says in the Quran "we have ordained fasting for you as those before you(jews, christians etc) so that you may become pious." Of course being pious is the awareness of God and his centrality of our lives. With this awareness we find out health is directly related to your spirit-since each is a precious gift from our Creator.
Muhammed Salim
Do you need salt for pH balance when going on an water fast
I was reading somewhere that it could be dangerous if you dont have enough salt in your system, I was wondering if this was true and if so should I sprinkle some sea salt into my water. I'm planning on a 21 day water fast for religious reasons and wanted to know if this was something that I needed to do.
Fasting with salt and vitamins
It's true that it's necessary to have some salt in you, since it's part of what humans are made of, and they also put Iodine in salt to avoid iodine deficiencies. However, I wouldn't say it's completely necessary to have salt during a fast just from reading the comments here. No one has said they've died from salt deficiency yet. On a related note, I was wondering whether it would be good to fast with vitamins. Water + vitamins = healthy?
Irony
"No one has said they've died from salt deficiency yet" LOL
Hey all I am a twenty eight
Hey all I am a twenty eight year old woman who has recently lost her job. I am depressed and fat. I weigh 246 pounds and have ulcerative colitis. I am starting a water fast today seeing as I'm not working I will be able to rest the first few days if necessary. I am christian and will rely on God for strength. Thank you for all your comments as it does give motivation. Good luck to all.
hey! hope you did it!
hey! hope you did it!
Oh, and, where do you get
Oh, and, where do you get the protein to build up during a 21-day water fast? Or will I have to give my biceps up?
Working out on a fast?
Hey all
I'm a 17 year old and I take good care of my body by abstaining from excessive fat/sugar, processed stuff and so on. This has enabled me to work a lot on fitness and I do something like 70 pushups 3 times a day, everyday. I normally have a lot of carbs to sustain the energy level required for this, so I was wondering what effect a 21-day water fast would have on my energy levels and if I'd still be able to continue my regiment? A lot of people here have said they were bursting with energy after starting the diet, so I guess its worth asking...
Will appreciate anyone who can lay a finger on this.
Thanks!
Hi I wonder if you guys stop
Hi
I wonder if you guys stop drinking coffee also during fasting.
Fasting is great!
Hello All,
I turned 51 earlier this month. I fasted regularly in the past. Sometimes 3-5 days.
My longest fast was 15 days, and two weeks ago after my birthday a have decided to do a complete house cleaning and go for a 40 day waterfast.
Today is my 14th day, and I am doing very well. It is really a calming experience. I live a normal life, and work during this period.
Good thing that Nature gave us this healing power, so I do not have to deal with Doctors and Hospitals.
Regards,
Brian
Fasting for health
Hello All,
I am a male and I am 51 today, I have decided to give fasting a try to improve my health. Many people say I look much youger than my years, not bad for someone who has four teenagers at home. I have often done the odd 24 hour fast and have felt better for doing it especily if I felt bloated beforehand.
I have read that fasting makes your hair feel more healthy but is there as risk that I might weaken or loose my hair by just drinking water for long periods?
Regards from Ireland.
Fasting
Hello all. Just wanted to thank you all for your comments re fasting. I have just finished an entire day of fasting!! I know it probably doesn't sound like much but this is something I NEVER thought I would be able to do. I am really pleased with myself and eager to see if I can stretch this out to a 2-3 day thing to start off with.
The information in your comments and on this site has been fantastic and I am feeling really confident about the whole thing. I have no doubt as to the health benefits of fasting as I am already feeling really great. Not sure if this is just a mental thing because I feel like I have achieved something and developed some will-power (finally!) but I will be interested to see how things progress over the next few days.
Thanks again for all the info and please keep posting with your progress.
Fasting Makes Me Feels Lighter
As addition to my compulsory Ramadhan fasting, I use to fast 1 day/week. Other than for religious matter, I like to fast because it gives me lighter sense, especially in my stomach. My tips for fasting are:
- Brush your teeth and clean your tounge before the fasting time starts
- Then drink a lot of water, at least 500cc.
In Islamic teaching, King/Prophet David was known to fast every 2 days.
Fasting
I sometimes have iron deficiency due to being a thalasemia trait (b-thal) and about to begin a 21 days fast, I would like to have some advice as to how to proceed with this without any problems.
Thank you
Fasting expert
Hi I have been fasting and detoxing for over 15 years. I am 48 healthy as an ox and I get asked out by 25-33 year olds. I am called the "prettiest women in (my county)". I have fasted 10 - 20 days per month every single month this year. I always start fast at at 3pm because it is easy to start a fast when it is half a day. I call this day one so that on day two it is easier. I do day two on watermelon juice (without fiber so you need a juicer) this prevents sugar imbalances from making the fast two difficult. Next I move on to lemon water with stevia and celtic salt. Using this formula allows me to work while fasting. The celtic salt keeps minerasl in the body, lemons supply all the nutrition you need and stevia makes it taste good. I finished a 10 fast two weeks ago while running 10 miles a day and working full time.
10 plus day fast while working/exercising
I'm a relative beginner in fasting, though over the years, I've had 1 to 3 day fasts, on several occassions. I am in my first day of what I intend to be a 10 day water fast. Actually, I had coffee today, which I will stop going forward. I'm 53, weight train and am beginning to cycle. I'm very interested in the 10 mile a day running you mention as it relates to retaining energy. So, question is, would you expect to loose energy to the point where your excercising would be compromised, if you went on a straight water fast, without the celtic salt and lemon. It would appear the celtic salt and lemon, are not a compromise to what can be acheived by the fast. Thanks for commenting on this.
fasting
Hi, I am amazed, I was curious how you feel during workouts or runs? Also, do you have any book recomendations on fasting? Do you feel that you gain a lot of weight back after each fast? Do you feel that you have less wrinkles do to your years of fasting?
do you think juice fasting
do you think juice fasting gets rid of wrinkles and/or helps tone skin
First 6 hours
Well...
There are many reason's I've decided to fast.
Cleansing
Fat loss
Spiritually
Physiological benefits
Seeing as I did nothing to prepare for this and my only background knowledge is extremely limited, I am finding out all that I can now.
I’m a very scientific person and understand the human body pretty well.
I’m 5’11 175 lbs 22 years old.
So far what I am leaning toward is a 4-5day water fast. With possible longer attempts in the future when I’m better prepared.
My relatively obvious question is if I’m water fasting, what else am I allowed to drink?
I would love to be able to drink ISOPURE which is a protein drink - Aspartame Free, No Preservatives, Lactose Free, Fat Free, 0carbs-
It’s pure protein and I’m considering incorporating that into my fast because I don’t want to lose any muscle mass.
Also should I still be taking vitamin’s during the fast?
Good idea? Bad idea? Or anywhere in between?
I am also concerned about a slowed metabolism… and fast weight gain afterwards.
I do plan on an extremely healthy diet after the fast and reoccurring monthly or semi monthly fast’s.
Any story’s or advice or research articles would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, I am a Muslim and we
Hi,
I am a Muslim and we Muslim use to fast the month of Ramadan each year, I was looking for scientific information about fasting because I know from our prophet Mohamed that fasting is very good for health,
Might Clear Arterial Placque
After major dental surgery, I lost 20 pounds on a juice and yogurt diet lasting 4-6 weeks. I was totally drugged out on pain pills, so I can't really remember how long it took to graduate to scrambled eggs and such. Since then I've had smaller follow-up surgeries, and I would lose 5 lbs at a time during 1-2 week recuperations.
The interesting thing is that before my big surgery, I was having recurrent heart palpitations - every few minutes my chest would do a thumpity-thump-thump. After the fasting, it completely disappeared. I recently saw a doctor on TV say that fasting causes the body to draw out the plaque that's collected inside your arteries. I never heard this before. Anyone ever experienced anything like this?
By the way - I now have fabulous teeth! And no thumping.
Fasting and Weight Loss
According to my BMI I am excessively overweight.
Im on my second day of a water fast. Hunger pangs aren't bad and I am keeping hydrated. I have even begun doing light exercises for about an hour a day (100 sit ups and about 50 laps in the pool).Though my main intention in this fast is to loose a significant amount of weight I am also young and want to start getting into healthy eating habits. I've been doing A LOT of research on water fasting and my main concern is the weight that you nearly always gain back after a fast. I am aiming for a 21 day water fast. I was wondering if there is any possible way too keep off a high percentage of the weight loss. Any advice would be extremely helpful.
Fasting and Weight Loss
How did your fast go?
I am 29, 5ft 3in and about 235-240lbs. I look like Im pregnant because all my weight is mainly in my midsection. I want to fast to not only clean my body but also to lose weight.
I would really like some advice and tips on water fasting.
Thanks
religious fast
i really enjoyed this article. i (water) fast about every other month for religious regions (Isaiah 58) and there are both spirtual and physical benefits. if i have hunger pains i pray and think about the sacrafices made for me (through Christ). although i am overweight i don't do it to lose weight, but to detox my system. i don't think you'll keep off any weight unless you fast reguarly, b/c youre body may hold on to all the things you deprived yourself from. at least that's what happens when you are mildly dehydrated.
fasting - colitis - stenose
I have been having colitis ulcerosa for about 22 years and with the help of fasting and ayurveda medicine I am able to handle it. Now they found out that there is a stenose with scares on the tissue (which might have happened couple of years ago) and makes some problems. Of course the allopathic medicine wants to operate. My question is if anyone is having experience of fasting and stenosis in the sigma in the large intestine. Is the body able to make the stenose more open or more soft through fasting.
water fast
I'm a 17 year old female and i want to go on a 6 or 7 day water fast. I'm sure I could do it but I fail at my attempts, I think I'm scared to do it but i really want the detoxafiying and weight loss benefits. I'm also afraid of gaining weight after the fast, could anyone put me at ease about this and some advice? it would be appreciated!
Fasting to lose weight is
Fasting to lose weight is dangerous and almost always counter-productive. Any weight loss is very temporary, and you're likely to gain it back more quickly because of a slow metabolism after. You're stuck with a weight loss plan like taking a loan with high interest. Every time you lose weight, you gain back more. You'll have learned to lose weight by not eating, thus if you try to keep this extra weight off by fasting more then you're starving yourself of necessary nutrients way too often. This is why anorexia can lead to very serious health issues. It can be done in a somewhat healthy fashion, but there are much easier ways to lose weight (still no magic solution - look up Body For Life).
helpful hints on fasting
Hello,
What a great article on what happens to your body during a fast. I have fasted a few times a year for 10 - 20 days at a stretch. I always found taking 2 weeks before the fast as a prep very helpful in maintaining a longer fast and helping me in the first few days of water only.
2 weeks out I start taking a little more vitamin ester c powder supplement everyday a few times a day (careful not to overdue this as it results in watery stools) and eliminate all meat and fish supplementing the protein with protein shakes eating only veggies and fruit as much as I want, and a grain dish once a day like oatmeal, brown rice etc. The next week I start reducing the amount of veggies and fruit going to 1 protein shake a day, juices, water, tea, and miso soup. By the time I'm ready to start fasting on water only (no supplements) I've eliminated my need to chew as many times I pickup food just because it's there or I'm anxious, bored or whatever.
I personally have never had much success on juice fasts. I seem to not be able to drink enough juice to keep my stomach from growling.
I've found this prep approach has helped me with headaches and a general feeling of being extremely tired during the first 3-4 days of water, and reduced my stomach growlings. Usually after the 4th day when I get into a steady pace of water my stomach growlings disappear.
Once I end the fast I reverse the prep starting with juices teas etc, then working my way into veggies and fruit.
The benefits are amazing for months after a fast I generally cannot stand the site of any type of junk food.