The Science of Fasting (4 Viewers)

[SoggyBottomBoy]

I had liver damage from Hep C I contracted from a blood transfusion as an infant. Once I got through my Harvoni regimen and the virus was gone, I started doing frequent 20-40 hour fasts in hopes autophagy would help heal it. Not sure if it made a difference, but at the time of my final liver screening it was back in a much healthier range.

I don’t know enough about medicine to say it made a difference or not, but I can’t imagine it hurt. And, I did lose about 20 pounds along the way.

Unfortunately, these days, I am struggling to get back into my fasting routine. I had a lot of stress last fall and dealt with it by abusing my body through over eating. I have gained back some of the weight I lost. And, even though I feel like I’m in a healthier spot mentally I am struggling to get my bearings in terms of fasting. I will just keep making attempts and I imagine one day I’ll knock out a 40 hour and after that it’ll be easier to get back into the groove. My normal IF routine is 20 hours of fasting and four hours of eating. And then I’ll throw a longer fast in every one to three weeks.

I have a hard starting fasts as well. Once again I’ll use upcoming Lenten season to start one. Either Ash Wednesday or before.

 

[Snakehead]

I had liver damage from Hep C I contracted from a blood transfusion as an infant. Once I got through my Harvoni regimen and the virus was gone, I started doing frequent 20-40 hour fasts in hopes autophagy would help heal it. Not sure if it made a difference, but at the time of my final liver screening it was back in a much healthier range.

I don’t know enough about medicine to say it made a difference or not, but I can’t imagine it hurt. And, I did lose about 20 pounds along the way.

Unfortunately, these days, I am struggling to get back into my fasting routine. I had a lot of stress last fall and dealt with it by abusing my body through over eating. I have gained back some of the weight I lost. And, even though I feel like I’m in a healthier spot mentally I am struggling to get my bearings in terms of fasting. I will just keep making attempts and I imagine one day I’ll knock out a 40 hour and after that it’ll be easier to get back into the groove. My normal IF routine is 20 hours of fasting and four hours of eating. And then I’ll throw a longer fast in every one to three weeks.

My doctor said my liver damage probably took 5-10 years, my guess is probably closer to the 10 which is when I started to have a more difficult time to keep weight off. The last 4 years is when the weight went about 20-30lbs higher than what I had been for years and the issues have really started to add up over the last 2 years.

My plan is to use autophagy as much as possible to heal it the best I can. I haven't attempted a long fast yet, but I'm going to attempt one soon. I think I could do a 20/4 fast if I tried. Maybe eat between 5-9pm and fast the rest of the time.

 

[SaintInBucLand]

If you find yourself unable to cut carbs sufficiently enough to get into ketosis for its benefits then I suggest trying intermittent fasting. Fasting is another way to get your body into ketosis for a small window to take advantage of the healing and regenerative effects on a daily basis with IM(intermittent fasting).

Ketosis is just your body becoming fat adapted, meaning your body is burning fat for fuel rather than carbs.

The article makes a bit of a mistake saying there are keto diets with more carbs for those who cannot handle cutting out carbs entirely, but then it really isn't keto. Anything more than 8-10g of carbs is going to take somebody out of ketosis or prevent them from becoming fat adapted.

Other benefits you will see from cutting out carbs are a dramatic drop in water weight, as well as a drop in blood pressure. Excess carbs in the blood require water for transportation through the blood stream. Less water from less cabs in the body and blood stream means less pressure on blood vessels./arteries and capillaries. It's always said that salt raises your blood pressure, and this is true if you eat the typical 250-350 grams of carbs per day, but if you are low carb the salt doesn't have the deleterious effect on your blood pressure.

 

[Tapxe]

Wanted to start a fast Wed. Failed and pigged out big time. Since the holidays, none of my shirts looks right and the Dunlap is edging over.

Short story long, I'm ~53hrs clean from sugar and ~48 water fast. Planning to break tomorrow since I put red beans to soak, but the hunger just left.

Anyone know how to keep soaked red beans longer before cooking?

 

[mjcouvi]

Wanted to start a fast Wed. Failed and pigged out big time. Since the holidays, none of my shirts looks right and the Dunlap is edging over.

Short story long, I'm ~53hrs clean from sugar and ~48 water fast. Planning to break tomorrow since I put red beans to soak, but the hunger just left.

Anyone know how to keep soaked red beans longer before cooking?

Let them sprout. Then cook them. They’ll taste better and they’ll be far less toxic.

 

[Tapxe]

Let them sprout. Then cook them. They’ll taste better and they’ll be far less toxic.

I've heard of that with whole grain rice because of s compound which can bind to iron and create a deficiency if rice is a major dietary component.

I knew lectin is flushed from Red beans by an overnight soak, water change and 10 min boil. I'll have to research the sprout option. I like having options.

 

[Snakehead]

Wanted to start a fast Wed. Failed and pigged out big time. Since the holidays, none of my shirts looks right and the Dunlap is edging over.

Short story long, I'm ~53hrs clean from sugar and ~48 water fast. Planning to break tomorrow since I put red beans to soak, but the hunger just left.

Anyone know how to keep soaked red beans longer before cooking?

I'm going to try my first ~48hr fast this week. I've got the daily ~16/8 down with some days going 17-18 and last Wednesday I hit 22hrs.

 

[Snakehead]

If you find yourself unable to cut carbs sufficiently enough to get into ketosis for its benefits then I suggest trying intermittent fasting. Fasting is another way to get your body into ketosis for a small window to take advantage of the healing and regenerative effects on a daily basis with IM(intermittent fasting).

Ketosis is just your body becoming fat adapted, meaning your body is burning fat for fuel rather than carbs.

The article makes a bit of a mistake saying there are keto diets with more carbs for those who cannot handle cutting out carbs entirely, but then it really isn't keto. Anything more than 8-10g of carbs is going to take somebody out of ketosis or prevent them from becoming fat adapted.

Other benefits you will see from cutting out carbs are a dramatic drop in water weight, as well as a drop in blood pressure. Excess carbs in the blood require water for transportation through the blood stream. Less water from less cabs in the body and blood stream means less pressure on blood vessels./arteries and capillaries. It's always said that salt raises your blood pressure, and this is true if you eat the typical 250-350 grams of carbs per day, but if you are low carb the salt doesn't have the deleterious effect on your blood pressure.

Thanks for the info. I think I am getting the benefits of both Intermittent Fasting and Keto. I haven't taken my BP in awhile, but I should take it so see if there us an improvement.

 

[Tapxe]

I'm going to try my first ~48hr fast this week. I've got the daily ~16/8 down with some days going 17-18 and last Wednesday I hit 22hrs.

That's how I started 80#'s ago. Take it easy and listen to your body. If you wind up going longer than 48 hrs, I'd recommend heeding Dr Jamnadas' advice about breaking the fast with a good deal of bone broth. He says the body instruction will be to create stem cells which need elements from that broth. If it's not available via broth, it'll take it from your existing bones.

 

[Snakehead]

That's how I started 80#'s ago. Take it easy and listen to your body. If you wind up going longer than 48 hrs, I'd recommend heeding Dr Jamnadas' advice about breaking the fast with a good deal of bone broth. He says the body instruction will be to create stem cells which need elements from that broth. If it's not available via broth, it'll take it from your existing bones.

Thanks, I'll have to look that up. I was going to break it with a steak.

 

[DaveXA]

Thanks, I'll have to look that up. I was going to break it with a steak.

Breaking a fast with a steak seems like a recipe for pain. It's been a while but I broke a 3 day fast with a loaded hot dog and...never again, lol. I would think anything over 2 days break a fast with light foods that won't stress your digestive system too much. I would start with something simple before working meats back into the rotation a couple of days later.

That said, some here may have better suggestions.

 

[Tapxe]

Breaking a fast with a steak seems like a recipe for pain. It's been a while but I broke a 3 day fast with a loaded hot dog and...never again, lol. I would think anything over 2 days break a fast with light foods that won't stress your digestive system too much. I would start with something simple before working meats back into the rotation a couple of days later.

That said, some here may have better suggestions.

I've not broken with a steak, but I'd not recommend it. Broths, soups, and fruit or veg seem to be the easiest.

I can unequivocally state Popeye's spicy should not be used to break a 2+ day fast, unless you are into level's of gastro pain and distress which makes satan jealous of their capability.

 

[SaintInBucLand]

I've not broken with a steak, but I'd not recommend it. Broths, soups, and fruit or veg seem to be the easiest.

I can unequivocally state Popeye's spicy should not be used to break a 2+ day fast, unless you are into level's of gastro pain and distress which makes satan jealous of their capability.

I always break long fasts with some scrambled eggs and bone broth soup. Then for my next meal later that day or the next I will have more dense protein like a steak or salmon.

 

[Tapxe]

Let them sprout. Then cook them. They’ll taste better and they’ll be far less toxic.

Did some research and it's confusing at best. I've found a study by the NIH which discusses white kidney beans, but not red. Conflicting statements from what I'd consider unreliable sources alternate between sprouts themselves are full of liver damaging toxin and it's fine so long as you cook em.

I think I'll try to sprout some, but will still make sure to cook em right. I suspect the soak itself needed to sprout beans takes away the bulk and the sprout process will break down even further. Still tho, the legit articles I found said it'll take days of sprouting and still up to 50% of the lectin remains.

I do want to try it tho as it seems it can work with the taste and texture of the bean giving it more flare than standard.

 

[mjcouvi]

Did some research and it's confusing at best. I've found a study by the NIH which discusses white kidney beans, but not red. Conflicting statements from what I'd consider unreliable sources alternate between sprouts themselves are full of liver damaging toxin and it's fine so long as you cook em.

I think I'll try to sprout some, but will still make sure to cook em right. I suspect the soak itself needed to sprout beans takes away the bulk and the sprout process will break down even further. Still tho, the legit articles I found said it'll take days of sprouting and still up to 50% of the lectin remains.

I do want to try it tho as it seems it can work with the taste and texture of the bean giving it more flare than standard.

So much conflicting info, hard to navigate for sure