HEALTH Water Fasting

mistyx7

Member
Has anybody here had any experience with extended water fasting? Or even short ones. I'm sorry if this isn't the appropriate place to post. I'm still learning to navigate the forum and I know some like them to be very well-organized.

At any rate, I have commenced an 14-21 day water fast for health reasons and would like to hear about others' experiences in this respect--preferably good, but bad as well.

A bit of context: water fasting entails drinking only water and consuming no food. Although it sounds like starvation, as long as the body is getting no nutrition and not sporadic nutrition, the body can survive and even thrive for a maximum of 60, I believe, though it depends on the person. It's not for everyone. Personally, I'm beginning to think it's my only option. Supposedly it gives the body a chance to rest and not expend so much energy on digestion, and can therefore turn its attention to healing tissues and cleaning itself out via autophagy/lysis.

Fingers crossed that I see some results.
 

fastback08

Veteran Member
Water fasting, would seem to me, to mean abstaining from water. Perhaps my grasp of the English language is lacking.
 

SAPPHIRE

Veteran Member
Water fasting is not a good option.........electrolyte imbalances can and will kill you if prolonged........a sensible fast includes multivitamin/mineral supplements.......NO TAP WATER AT ALL.........ONLY FILTERED/REVERSED OSMOSIS/OR DISTILLED....and if you have extensive health issues these need a balanced approach............MODERATION IS KEY..........fast on and off......two on one off or every other day.......with wholesome organic easily digested foods.....protein/green smoothies etc.........I advise you to find a good nutritionist for a stable plan of action............
 

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
Yup. You need electrolyts and vitamins even if you eat nothing. Failure to have them can kill you.
 

tno5

Senior Member
I have done the juice and broth fasting for a week. It's amazing how much better you can feel. I really don't recommend water only, it really is starving yourself - watch a few episodes of naked and afraid and see what only water does to people after 5 days.
 

Doc

Senior Member
Years ago, I used to do a 7-10 fast drinking water with lemon juice, vinegar and organic maple syrup at the change of every season. So I would basically do a 40 day fast during the year. Hungry initially, but after 3 days, no hunger. The fast was the easy part. You always have to be careful about how you break a fast. I always felt great after, but now I never go longer than 3 days. If you have a lot of toxins in your body or any health condition, I wouldn't go more than 3 days. The benefits are about the same doing a 3 day fast as it is doing an extended fast and a lot safer. Most of the toxins in your body will be eliminated the first 3 days so I don't think you have to do anything any longer.
 

AlaskaSue

North to the Future
I have fasted several times for 3-10 days with water only, or water with fresh lemon juice in it. My longest full water fast was for 21 days when I was in my 20s with two kids, a husband who worked remote (Alaska Pipeline), and moved our household during that time for some crazy reason. Had so much energy...but you do have to be very careful breaking it, starting with weak broth, then full liquids (soup, broth, jello), then adding in a bit more variety over several days. If you have any kind of health issues I would check with your PCP -- and do start with a short-term fast first. I still fast from time to time, just not as long.
 

straightstreet

Life is better in flip flops
I second the reply Doc gave of a 3 day fast. When I fast (my preference here) is pure filtered water, 2% milk, V-8 juice, prayer. Last year I did a 7 day fast with just water and milk. At the end of the 7 days I had zero energy but 3 day fast is different at least for me. I feel great afterwards. I've never tried a water only fast so I can't comment on that part.
 

Reborn

Seeking Aslan's Country
IF you fast while drinking only water, please consider only fasting for 3 days. I did a two week fast some years ago and it took me a long time to recover from it. If done too long it can really mess with your blood sugar level. I also saw someone else who had been fasting while I was and she almost had to have heart surgery because while fasting (water only) her heart rhythm got all screwed up. Might be a good idea to check it out with your personal physician first.
 

Laurane

Canadian Loonie
If you take in lots of water you need salt.......real salt, not table salt......it must have the minerals and also the trace minerals (about 70 of them). 1/4 tsp per quart or so. This is the salt with the little colored minerals in.....can be brownish, pinkish.

Those minerals will keep your muscles working (also the big heart muscle) - there is a reason that salt was so heavily traded in the deserts - it wasn't just to spice the food, it prevented dehydration and balanced the body.
 

kittyknits

Veteran Member
Before I even considered going 2-3 weeks without food (which I consider nuts, BTW), I would make sure I was doing the following beforehand, all of which detox the body and improve digestion:

Stop eating nasty processed food

Stop drinking all soda (pop), both regular and diet

No grains

No flour or sugar

No alcohol

No tap water

There's a very effective way to improve digestion called intermittent fasting which simply extends the time between supper and breakfast the next morning. This gives the body more time not digesting food and starts healing processes and fat-burning. I routinely go 18 hours now with no hunger and then eat my food within a 6-hour window.

I don't recommend it because I know nothing about your health concerns, but there's a lot on the internet about it.

Funny thing is that I wrote of this once before and a few people had small fits saying--You have to have breakfast, you have to have breakfast. Where are those people now when you are saying you will not eat for 3 weeks?

I wish you the best with this. I prefer to eat healthfully every day.

(Just a cranky old lady's opinion)
 

cjoi

Veteran Member
Have experience with fasting, here. Fasts have played a significant role in treating serious diseases, here.

Would strongly recommend that you read some of the slim but extremely informative books such as the ones by Paavo Airola before you attempt a fast of any sort. There are other authors/experts but his name sticks with me after all these years.

Almost any health food store or supplement department at Whole Foods, e.g., will stock such books. You could almost read them in a long grocery line. But buy one and study it. This technique can be life-saving or it can really complicate your health in ways you don't want.

Good luck.
 
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Be Well

may all be well
Having delved into theory and practice of many different natural health methods since the '70s, I would strongly recommend against water fasting, other than a day or two. I can give a lot of info about other detoxifcation/cleansing methods that cause no harm or imbalance to the body.

I cannot urge strongly enough that long water fasts are not only not for everyone, they can be extremely damaging.
 

Be Well

may all be well
IF you fast while drinking only water, please consider only fasting for 3 days. I did a two week fast some years ago and it took me a long time to recover from it. If done too long it can really mess with your blood sugar level. I also saw someone else who had been fasting while I was and she almost had to have heart surgery because while fasting (water only) her heart rhythm got all screwed up. Might be a good idea to check it out with your personal physician first.

A one day a week fast on either water or water with lemon/raw sugar or honey and a pinch of ginger/black pepper, does as much detoxifying over some time, as a long fast, with a lot less potential for damage.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
What's wrong with cutting all the processed garbage out of your diet and exercising more? There are far fewer health risks, and within 3 - 5 days, you'll feel just as good.
 

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
http://themastercleanse.org/

Lemon juice w/ maple syrup. I think for 10 days. I've not done it, but I'm getting to that point.

I know people who have done this cleanse and every single one of them ended up having to have their gall bladders removed within three to six months!

I think taking advice on doing a fast/cleanse off the internet is unwise! Seriously sit down with your doctor and maybe even a nautropath and see what you need to do to get to the bottom of your health issues. You said you had some but didn't say what they were so with that level of vagueness in mind it's not wise for you to do this fast at this time.

As a couple of others have said cut out ALL processed foods and refined sugars from your diet, and maybe even whole grains, adding in green leafy veggies, and lots of other veggies, and see if this helps with some of your issues after one week.
 

Kook

A 'maker', not a 'taker'!
If you take in lots of water you need salt.......real salt, not table salt......it must have the minerals and also the trace minerals (about 70 of them). 1/4 tsp per quart or so. This is the salt with the little colored minerals in.....can be brownish, pinkish.

Those minerals will keep your muscles working (also the big heart muscle) - there is a reason that salt was so heavily traded in the deserts - it wasn't just to spice the food, it prevented dehydration and balanced the body.

Are you thinking sea salt? SS has a lot of trace minerals in it, much like you are describing.
 

Richard

TB Fanatic
I hope people survive the advice given on this thread, better still not take it, hyponatremia, my mother nearly died of it a few years ago.
 

China Connection

TB Fanatic
One can get a little tired of posting on health.


One can go on say what we call a weight watches diet. Eat all you like of low calorie green salads etc.


Weight Watchers - Fall in Love with Food Again‎

https://www.weightwatchers.com/au/weight-loss-program/healthy-food-recipes?cid=40100

rating for weightwatchers.com
Choose a plan that suits you.
Flexible Pricing Plans · 50 Years of Experience · #1 best diet · 1-on-1 support
Weight WatchersEnjoy Getting Active6mth Online Plan $6.59/wk


Now once one has got down to a healthy weight one can select a good natural diet for life. After one has built up health then one can go on a fast if one wants.


Fasting ca be religious etc. Short fast on a regular basis for over two days is good for the immune system.


Fasting after being on junk food is a good way to kill yourself.
 

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
Dr. Weil was just on Doctor Oz's show talking about being on an anti-cancer and anti-inflammation diet to cure what ails us. Basically no processed foods, no soda, no chips, none of that stuff Americans are addicted to. They showed the new version of 'their' food pyramid and the base comprised of veggies, lots, and lots, and lots of veggies. Next up was beans and other legumes like lentils, whole grains (no white flour), brown rice, and seeds such as millet, amaranth, quinoa, etc. Then your fats, olive oil, salmon, anchovies, avocados, etc. that haven't been processed, low amounts of dairy and cheese, and then meat like beef, pork, etc., and then fruit at the top.

Basically they were pushing a Mediterranean diet. Another words eat your veggies, and don't smother them in cheese. ;)

http://www.drweilblog.com/

Mayo Clinic Link for the Mediterranean Diet http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-l...ting/in-depth/mediterranean-diet/art-20047801

Mediterranean diet: A heart-healthy eating plan

The heart-healthy Mediterranean is a healthy eating plan based on typical foods and recipes of Mediterranean-style cooking. Here's how to adopt the Mediterranean diet.
By Mayo Clinic Staff

If you're looking for a heart-healthy eating plan, the Mediterranean diet might be right for you. The Mediterranean diet incorporates the basics of healthy eating — plus a splash of flavorful olive oil and perhaps even a glass of red wine — among other components characterizing the traditional cooking style of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

Most healthy diets include fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains, and limit unhealthy fats. While these parts of a healthy diet remain tried-and-true, subtle variations or differences in proportions of certain foods may make a difference in your risk of heart disease.

Benefits of the Mediterranean diet

Research has shown that the traditional Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of heart disease. In fact, an analysis of more than 1.5 million healthy adults demonstrated that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of death from heart disease and cancer, as well as a reduced incidence of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends the Mediterranean diet as an eating plan that can help promote health and prevent disease. And the Mediterranean diet is one your whole family can follow for good health.

Key components of the Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes:
•Eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts
•Replacing butter with healthy fats, such as olive oil
•Using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods
•Limiting red meat to no more than a few times a month
•Eating fish and poultry at least twice a week
•Drinking red wine in moderation (optional)

The diet also recognizes the importance of being physically active, and enjoying meals with family and friends.

Focus on fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains

The Mediterranean diet traditionally includes fruits, vegetables and grains. For example, residents of Greece average six or more servings a day of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.

Grains in the Mediterranean region are typically whole grain and usually contain very few unhealthy trans fats, and bread is an important part of the diet. However, throughout the Mediterranean region, bread is eaten plain or dipped in olive oil — not eaten with butter or margarine, which contains saturated or trans fats.

Nuts are another part of a healthy Mediterranean diet. Nuts are high in fat, but most of the fat is healthy. Because nuts are high in calories, they should not be eaten in large amounts — generally no more than a handful a day. For the best nutrition, avoid candied or honey-roasted and heavily salted nuts.
 

Be Well

may all be well
I pretty much do something similar, but use milk products and butter or ghee and no heated oil. And no fish/meat, or wine. I do use salt, can't live without it! Weill needs to get on board with butter being good and not even slightly equivalent to margarine, a bona fide Non Food Item. Eliminating ALL processed foods is very important. Not easy if you're used to it but definitely do-able. One needs to learn how to cook.
 

Be Well

may all be well
Are you thinking sea salt? SS has a lot of trace minerals in it, much like you are describing.

I use sea salt and "Real Salt" - mined in Utah, sometimes Black Salt, from the Himalayas, has a lot of minerals in it, very strong stuff.
 

TerryK

TB Fanatic
You must be channeling Oprah. She just bought 10% of Weight Watchers and WW shares just doubled in price. She made 70 to 80 million in one day.



One can get a little tired of posting on health.
One can go on say what we call a weight watches diet. Eat all you like of low calorie green salads etc.
Weight Watchers - Fall in Love with Food Again‎
https://www.weightwatchers.com/au/weight-loss-program/healthy-food-recipes?cid=40100
rating for weightwatchers.com
Choose a plan that suits you.
Flexible Pricing Plans · 50 Years of Experience · #1 best diet · 1-on-1 support
Weight WatchersEnjoy Getting Active6mth Online Plan $6.59/wk
Now once one has got down to a healthy weight one can select a good natural diet for life. After one has built up health then one can go on a fast if one wants.
Fasting ca be religious etc. Short fast on a regular basis for over two days is good for the immune system.
Fasting after being on junk food is a good way to kill yourself.
 

China Connection

TB Fanatic
It would have to be a big channel to fit Oprah in.

We have had the weight watches diet about here in Australia for a long time. It was all the rage for a long time but now is just one of the many diet plans on offer. It all comes down to low calories but!
 

Richard

TB Fanatic
What is that?

Hyponatremia is a condition that occurs when the level of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells.

In hyponatremia, one or more factors — ranging from an underlying medical condition to drinking too much water during endurance sports — causes the sodium in your body to become diluted. When this happens, your body's water levels rise, and your cells begin to swell. This swelling can cause many health problems, from mild to life-threatening.

Hyponatremia treatment is aimed at resolving the underlying condition. Depending on the cause of hyponatremia, you may simply need to cut back on how much you drink. In other cases of hyponatremia, you may need intravenous fluids and medications.
 

Be Well

may all be well
Thank you. A friend suffered from that condition as her acupuncturist told her to eliminate all salt from her diet. She already had Hep C and was being treated for it, not cured, but managed. Finally during one trip to hospital, the doctor found out she was ordering a no salt menu and sternly corrected her, telling her that the no salt diet was killing her.

How did your mother wind up with this condition?
 

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
Thank you. A friend suffered from that condition as her acupuncturist told her to eliminate all salt from her diet. She already had Hep C and was being treated for it, not cured, but managed. Finally during one trip to hospital, the doctor found out she was ordering a no salt menu and sternly corrected her, telling her that the no salt diet was killing her.

How did your mother wind up with this condition?

I have an artist friend that is on a no sodium diet due to high blood pressure and now she has all sorts of health problems. She just doesn't want to hear that the no salt diet is killing her.
 

Be Well

may all be well
I have an artist friend that is on a no sodium diet due to high blood pressure and now she has all sorts of health problems. She just doesn't want to hear that the no salt diet is killing her.

Salt is so essential and it gets eliminated daily. My friend had horrible ascites and had to have the fluid drained by a painful and horrid procedure, huge needle into abdomen. I hated that acupuncturist, she is a very bad one.
 

China Connection

TB Fanatic
Throughout history salt has fetched a high price inland away from the sea. The salt traders were a protected species and could move about with safety.

However salt used to be what is called grey salt. This type of salt is made up roughly of 85% sodium chloride and 15% what is termed trace minerals but in reality is part trace and part major minerals that the body needs. The major mineral in the 15% mix is magnesium which most people these days are deficient in.

Because of the refining of sea salt and its use for preserving and taste in supermarket foods many people have a sodium potassium in-balance within their bodies. This is due to a lack of greens and vegetables in the diet that are potassium rich foods.

So most people need to cut back on processed sodium rich foods and increase their greens and vegetable intake.
 
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