The Fasting Club - Support Thread For Those Fasting

[Woodznutz]

Interesting.

I went to a vegan health spa for a week, and they offered me a “colonic cleansing” to augment my program. Not sure what that involved - probably a enema - but whatever, I didn’t like the sound of it, so I passed.

Instead, I just stayed with the vegan food, so there was no meat, no dairy, no alcohol, no coffee, no soda, and so forth. I was never much of a drinker, but the coffee withdrawal - oh man. But I stuck it out, and by the end of the week I felt great.

I remember walking through the airport on the return, and it felt like I had been implanted into someone else’s body.

I also had a horrible coffee habit. Today I barely drink one cup per day and no alcohol except on special occasions. I also don't take any medications, prescribed or over-the- counter.

 

[Darkwind]

The first 48 hours of fasting trigger several physiological changes in your body as it shifts from relying on food for energy to using stored reserves. Here's a breakdown of what happens during this period:

0–12 Hours: The Fed & Early Fasting State​

• Blood Sugar Levels: Your body still uses glucose from your last meal for energy.
• Insulin Levels: Insulin remains elevated to help store glucose.
• Glycogen Breakdown: As digestion completes, your liver starts breaking down glycogen (stored glucose) for energy.
• Hunger Hormones: Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, peaks at typical mealtimes, making you feel hungry.

12–24 Hours: The Transition to Fat Burning​

• Depleting Glycogen: Liver glycogen stores begin running low, and the body starts breaking down fat for energy.
• Ketosis Begins: The liver starts producing small amounts of ketones as a backup fuel source.
• Autophagy Activation: Cells begin cleaning up damaged components through autophagy, which may have health benefits.
• Lower Insulin Levels: Insulin drops significantly, allowing for better fat-burning.

24–48 Hours: Deepening Ketosis & Metabolic Shift​

• Significant Ketone Production: Ketone levels rise, providing an alternative fuel source for the brain and muscles.
• Increased Fat Burning: The body shifts to burning stored fat more efficiently.
• Enhanced Autophagy: Cellular repair processes intensify, potentially reducing inflammation and clearing out damaged proteins.
• Growth Hormone Surge: Growth hormone levels increase significantly (up to 5x), aiding muscle preservation and fat metabolism.
• Decreased Inflammation: Lower insulin and blood sugar levels contribute to reduced inflammation.

Challenges & Side Effects​

• Hunger Pangs: Hunger may still come in waves but tends to subside as ketone levels rise.
• Low Energy & Brain Fog: Some people experience temporary fatigue or mental fog as the body adapts.
• Electrolyte Imbalances: Sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels may drop, leading to headaches, dizziness, or muscle cramps.

After 48 hours, fasting benefits continue to intensify, with deeper ketosis, improved insulin sensitivity, and potential longevity benefits. If you extend fasting beyond this point, hydration and electrolyte balance become even more crucial.

 

[odanny]

Seems like you’d have to do that periodically, or abnormal cells would begin to form again. Any reports on whether once a year is sufficient?

I'm not sure you need to do this more than once, periodic. shorter fasts, yes, but not for 7 days.

I would recommend you watch this entire video with a pen and paper nearby, you can't expect to remember all of this, and I made a couple pages of notes the second time I watched it, this guy nails it with hs lectures on fasting, he has quite a few.

 

[Lisa558]

I'm not sure you need to do this more than once, periodic. shorter fasts, yes, but not for 7 days.

I would recommend you watch this entire video with a pen and paper nearby, you can't expect to remember all of this, and I made a couple pages of notes the second time I watched it, this guy nails it with hs lectures on fasting, he has quite a few.

Thank you…..I will take a listen!

 

[odanny]

The lecture on autophagy begins at the 28:00 mark, which is how the medical benefits of fasting actually work in the body, but the rest of it is great. For example, just before this, he mentions how your growth hormone levels can show a 1000% increase after a 48 hour fast.

GH is not just needed for men working out, this is what fights aging, this is what keeps you looking young, what keeps your skin from wrinkling, and many other things. These little facts are why I recommend all of it, and its important to know the role of insulin, as he describes from the beginning.

 

[BasicHumanUnit]

Here's one of my favs..... This guy puts some great info out

What Would Happen If You Only Drank Water For 100 Hours

 

[odanny]

 

[odanny]

Very important information for anyone considering a fast.

 

[odanny]

 

[Lisa558]

Very important information for anyone considering a fast.

I liked that. I’ve been doing a 12-12 fast for a couple of weeks, and am now trying for a 14-10.

In the interest of full disclosure, I could stand to lose about 15 pounds. What I am doing is: no eating after 7 pm until breakfast, no processed foods, no sugary junk, and lean protein. Also upped my water intake.

I do not think Ozempic is for people who need to lose 15 pounds, but I’m in support of it for people like Morty who need to lose 80 or more.

I find it a fascinating topic, actually.

 

[Woodznutz]

No need to fast to lose weight, just count food calories. Stay below 1000 if possible. Why torture yourself.

 

[odanny]

No need to fast to lose weight, just count food calories. Stay below 1000 if possible. Why torture yourself.

If you burn 2000 calories a day and only take in 1000 you should be in caloric deficit and lose fat, but if those 1000 calories keep your insulin levels high you might not lose much of anything.

Insulin is the key component here to fasting and weight loss. You need to keep this low to start burning fat stores. You also need to keep insulin low to start the cellular repair process during extended fasts.

 

[Lisa558]

No need to fast to lose weight, just count food calories. Stay below 1000 if possible. Why torture yourself.

That might just be the “magic” of fasting, in fact. If I don’t eat anything after dinner until breakfast, I end up eating fewer calories.

But below 1000 is unnecessary. I did a computation to find what a 500-daily calorie deficit would be for me, and it’s around 1200. That computes to a 1 pound a week loss, which is fine. Losing slowly is healthier.

 

[Lisa558]

If you burn 2000 calories a day and only take in 1000 you should be in caloric deficit and lose fat, but if those 1000 calories keep your insulin levels high you might not lose much of anything.

Insulin is the key component here to fasting and weight loss. You need to keep this low to start burning fat stores. You also need to keep insulin low to start the cellular repair process during extended fasts.

Please explain further. Are you saying that by fasting, my insulin level would stay low? (I’m not diabetic.)

 

[odanny]

Please explain further. Are you saying that by fasting, my insulin level would stay low? (I’m not diabetic.)

Yes, your insulin levels drop while fasting.

Lipolysis - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Woodznutz]

That might just be the “magic” of fasting, in fact. If I don’t eat anything after dinner until breakfast, I end up eating fewer calories.

But below 1000 is unnecessary. I did a computation to find what a 500-daily calorie deficit would be for me, and it’s around 1200. That computes to a 1 pound a week loss, which is fine. Losing slowly is healthier.

Dieting to lose weight.
Fasting for rest, rejuvenation, and health.

 

[Unkotare]

On Week 4 now.

 

[gipper]

Anyone who has done Fasting knows it's not easy. Especially Day 2 and 3. But the benefits are more than guesswork today. Major and well accepted health organizations now recognize fasting as very beneficial to health.

Benefits include weight loss, less fatigue, more energy, clearer thinking and fasting can even facilitate ridding the body of carcinogens and waste.
In many studies, fasting has proven effective in fighting cancer since cancer must have glucose to thrive and significantly lowering blood sugar can have a positive impact on fighting cancer.

Personally, I like to Fast at least twice a year. My last was in October and it was a 5 day fast. Nothing but water. So I'm due for my next 5 day fast in April.
I lost 15 lbs during my October fast (some water of course), but fasting always results in feeling better overall with less bodily inflammation and clearer thinking and memory.
If you suffer from aches and pains fasting could help.

Of course, fasting can be harmful under certain circumstances so you might want to consult your physician before embarking on any fasting.

That said, if you choose to Fast you can join me in April or let us know about your fasting and results. Fasting is difficult and sometimes chatting with others during a fast can help reduce the stress and discomforts.

I’ve done several water fasts in the past. My experience is after about 36-48 hours, I feel fantastic. Lots of energy and my hunger subsided. I did 4-5 days at a time.

I’m considering doing a dry fast, as many experts claim it provides greater benefits than a water fast. My problem is I can’t afford to lose weight, I’m thin as is.

 

[Woodznutz]

That might just be the “magic” of fasting, in fact. If I don’t eat anything after dinner until breakfast, I end up eating fewer calories.

But below 1000 is unnecessary. I did a computation to find what a 500-daily calorie deficit would be for me, and it’s around 1200. That computes to a 1 pound a week loss, which is fine. Losing slowly is healthier.

1000 calories/day was just an arbitrary number.

 

[odanny]

The deeper you dive into the mechanics of fasting, the more you seek out medical opinions and what chemical processes are taking place, but if you are just beginning, you should start out with a video like this one. This is current and this guy makes some pretty good videos on fasting. You should immediately notice the importance of insulin from this video.