How do you get electrolytes during a fast?
You don't need to consume any. For a normal water fast where you don't exercise, everything you need is taken from the liver and fat.
So it's really just sweating that draws down your electroliytes?
Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)
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Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)
#62Earlier quoted context omitted.
I didn't have a lot of toxins stored in my fat cells, as I was reasonably healthy prior to the fast. Some people have a lot of "bad stuff" which will enter their bloodstream when their body breaks down adipose for fuel. They tend to be better served by starting with a juice fast, then building up to a full on water fast. It's easy to tell if you're among them, as you'll have severe "detox" symptoms a day or two into…
> Some people have a lot of "bad stuff" which will enter their bloodstream when their body breaks down adipose for fuel. [...] you'll have severe "detox" symptoms a day or two into the fast. Your body doesn't work that way. "Detoxing diets" are pure superstition – which toxins are those supposed to be anyway? From [1]: "The 'toxins' usually remain undefined, with little to no evidence of toxic accumulation in the pat…
"Toxicological Function of Adipose Tissue: Focus on Persistent Organic Pollutants"
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/wp-content/uploads/121/2/ehp.120548...
"The studies discussed here indicate that AT (Adipose tissue) plays a central role in POP (persistent organic pollutants) toxicology. This role is complex and may seem paradoxical. Indeed, there is evidence that AT is protective under conditions of acute or subacute exposure to POPs. Storage in the lipid droplets has a buffering effect and prevents the persistence of high blood levels of these POPs and also prevents high POP exposure of other more sensitive lipophilic tissues such as the brain."
Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)
#63Earlier quoted context omitted.
and whats wrong with eating too much - I understand that you say breaking the fast is important ... but why?
I don't know any of the science behind it, but it's my understanding that during long periods of not eating, metabolism gradually slows to a crawl to allow maximum duration from the amount of 'energy' available in the body. I'd wager it gradually ramps back up again once food is reintroduced, and overeating during this period could probably lead to some pretty hefty weight gain.
People died of eating too much when the prisoner camps where liberated at the end of WWII.
Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)
#64Earlier quoted context omitted.
You don't need to consume any. For a normal water fast where you don't exercise, everything you need is taken from the liver and fat.
So it's really just sweating that draws down your electroliytes?
Sweating will eliminate large quantities of electrolytes quickly, but you will pass out before that happens. Any exercise beyond light stretching while on a water fast is dangerous.
Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)
#65I tried searching for the original article, but this is the closest I could find that had a better writeup than from the telegraph: https://news.usc.edu/63669/fasting-triggers-stem-cell-regene... This is the most relevant summary: "In both mice and a Phase 1 human clinical trial involving patients receiving chemotherapy, long periods of not eating significantly lowered white blood cell counts. In mice, fasting cycles…
It's not a fad, there is quite a wealth of research supporting it's efficacy[1][2][3]. That also doesn't mean you need to fast for 3 days straight to consider your fasting intermittent - you can go 16 hours without eating and still reap the benefits. Skip breakfast and concentrate your calories into lunch and dinner - now you are intermittent fasting.
[1] http://easacademy.org/trainer-resources/article/intermittent... (see cited sources)
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25546413
[3] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/10/interested-fastin...
Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)
#66Although I haven't attempted this myself, I have seen many people attempt to endure a 72 hours fast (as part of diagnosing a potential pheochromocytoma) and the majority experience this as extremely difficult. I wonder if multiple shorter fasts — e.g., a 24 hours fast once a week — could be as beneficial.
I regularly fast for 20+ hours (calorie restriction, I do drink water because I am not an idiot) once or twice a week. You get very used to it. While its not something I look forward to, it's purely psychological. A few hours after I miss 'breakfast' my tummy rumbles two or three times and then my body doesn't care anymore. The max time I've fasted is forty hours and I have to say if you can get past the first fours…
How is a 500-600 calorie meal 'very small'?
Most normal dinners are 600-800 calories.
Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)
#67Donating blood has a very similar "boost" effect, and also helps save lives.
Unless the act of donating blood releases some endorphins because you're helping someone else, then this is just bloodletting or phlebotomy, which is considered pseudoscience by the medical community.
[1] https://books.google.com/books?id=vH1EAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT293&dq=b...
Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
> So, mice, and people undergoing chemotherapy. Not exactly (for those who have had friends and relatives ever had to undergo chemotherapy, you will understand what I mean) the common population. Why would it be any different for the "common population"? > I'll pass on this intermittent fasting "fad" for now! Fad? It's being around for millennia for.
>Why would it be any different for the "common population"? Because the "common population" does not have half their blood replaced by burning chemicals every week. >Fad? It's being around for millennia for. And for millenia, many people thought the Earth was flat, the age of a belief doesn't validate that belief.
Intermittent fasting is a well documented & proven phenomena. It also regularly appears in the form of various articles on HN with many proponents here.
I don't follow it, I like my food. However, a cursory glance through other comment on this thread may give you cause to rethink your pov.
Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)
#69I fasted for a day when fighting with my parents. Worst thing to do since I am a Type-1 diabetic and ended up with Diabetic Ketoacidosis the next day and a near-death experience :-(
Fasting is not for everyone!
Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)
#70Earlier quoted context omitted.
> So, mice, and people undergoing chemotherapy. Not exactly (for those who have had friends and relatives ever had to undergo chemotherapy, you will understand what I mean) the common population. Why would it be any different for the "common population"? > I'll pass on this intermittent fasting "fad" for now! Fad? It's being around for millennia for.
>Why would it be any different for the "common population"? Because the "common population" does not have half their blood replaced by burning chemicals every week. >Fad? It's being around for millennia for. And for millenia, many people thought the Earth was flat, the age of a belief doesn't validate that belief.
No one is saying the belief was validated, only that it wasn't a fad.