Fasting- good or bad?

RunningTowardsFit

Hi friends,
I am considering doing a 24-36 hour fast. I am very excited about this. I have completed 18-20 hour fasts before. I just do not want to cross the line of having my muscles destroyed from fasting. Will a 24 hour fast be a good enough fast to help detox and give my digestive system some rest (I will be drinking water with lime and lemon) time? I just want to make sure that I am not ruining precious muscle.
I have heard that fasting is good- within certain time constraints so your muscles do not eat up. What are your thoughts on fasting for this amount of time?

trogalicious

Will a 24 hour fast be a good enough fast to help detox and give my digestive system some rest (I will be drinking water with lime and lemon) time? I just want to make sure that I am not ruining precious muscle.

totally not needed. Fasting isn't going to "detox" anything.

Mokey41

There's nothing to detox and your digestive system doesn't need a rest. You won't lose muscle in 24 hours but you'll probably be very hungry and accomplish nothing.

CristinaL1983

I fast for 24 hours at least once a week (sometimes twice). It's called intermittent fasting. There is a lot of good research behind it.

I don't believe in the whole detoxing thing but I definitely feel great at the end of a 24 hour fast. The easiest way (for me) is just dinner to dinner (finish eating at 6pm, have dinner the following day at 6pm).

Also, research has shown that muscle atrophy doesn't occur until the fasting hits 72 hours (as long as you are eating properly before and after fasting).

kennethmgreen

There are legitimate reasons for fasting. Detoxing isn't one of them. Generally, neither is weight loss.

ecw3780

Just changing up the foods you eat and the types of exercise you do is enough. You don't need to fast, all you need to do is cause calorie confusion. Also, if you are worried about the whole "starvation mode" thing, that doesn't happen until after 72 hours.

FitandFab33

Some research indicates undesirable hormone responses in women (not sure if you're male or female), but you might want to look into that/consider it.

Having said that, I've done 24/36 hour fasts (twice recently just because and quite a few times over the years on particular religious days).

jonnythan

Hi friends,
I am considering doing a 24-36 hour fast. I am very excited about this. I have completed 18-20 hour fasts before. I just do not want to cross the line of having my muscles destroyed from fasting. Will a 24 hour fast be a good enough fast to help detox and give my digestive system some rest (I will be drinking water with lime and lemon) time? I just want to make sure that I am not ruining precious muscle.
I have heard that fasting is good- within certain time constraints so your muscles do not eat up. What are your thoughts on fasting for this amount of time?

Your digestive system does not need or want "rest" any more than your heart, and fasting for a day will not "detox" anything.

If you want to do it for your mental health or whatever, but it's not like some health boost. You won't lose any muscle or anything.

Sarauk2sf

There's nothing to detox and your digestive system doesn't need a rest. You won't lose muscle in 24 hours but you'll probably be very hungry and accomplish nothing.

^^basically this

Sarauk2sf

Some research indicates undesirable hormone responses in women (not sure if you're male or female), but you might want to look into that/consider it.

Having said that, I've done 24/36 hour fasts (twice recently just because and quite a few times over the years on particular religious days).

^^yep. Women can be more susceptible to screwing up their hormones with fasting - it depends on the individual.

cruiseking

My Dr. whom is a longevity, and diet expert, is pro fasting, but he wants to discuss it with me before I do it. So I don't have the exact scientific insight just yet. I will have the conversation with him tomorrow. I look forward to other responses here also.

Deipneus

I fast but it has nothing to do with detoxing or weight loss or anything like that which is good because I'm pretty sure it's useless for that. If you are into meditation and/or prayer, it is quite good for that. Won't kill you or hurt you as long as it's not too often.

cwolfman13

I don't know much in the way of specifics, but I have heard that the fat burning from fasting plateaus at around 18 hours. I haven't really done much in the way of research, so whatever I've heard is just whatever...it's never really interested me and sounds like not much fun.

symonspatrick

Millions of people are doing this every day although many of them have no choice about it. It takes 3 to 5 days to fully digest all the food in your system so I am not sure how much rest your body will be getting but it certainly shouldn't hurt you any. I don't know about any detox effect unless normally you are putting a lot of bad things into your body in which case one day would be better than none. Most of the benefits I have received from fasting have been spiritual in nature more than physical.

CantonMan1234

Fasting for 24 to 36 hours will not cause any significant muscle loss, nor will it throw off your metabolism. Fasting is the most natural way to purge (detox) the body. Make sure to drink plenty of water (take half your weight in pounds and drink that many of ounces of water).

RunningTowardsFit

Thanks everyone for the help. The only reason I shared the "detox" claim is because I find that after fasting I am able to have a BM which generally does not occur daily or even every three days. I am sorry for the confusion

trogalicious

Thanks everyone for the help. The only reason I shared the "detox" claim is because I find that after fasting I am able to have a BM which generally does not occur daily or even every three days. I am sorry for the confusion

make sure you're getting enough:
1.water.
2. fiber.

You shouldn't have to STOP eating to poop.

tgustafson85

I ate more than I normally do this past weekend, going over my calorie thresholds. Is there any value in fasting to "even" the overages out?

RunningTowardsFit

Coming from the girl who tried this, no, it does not. Just start fresh tomorrow

Sunny____

Hi friends,
I am considering doing a 24-36 hour fast. I am very excited about this. I have completed 18-20 hour fasts before. I just do not want to cross the line of having my muscles destroyed from fasting. Will a 24 hour fast be a good enough fast to help detox and give my digestive system some rest (I will be drinking water with lime and lemon) time? I just want to make sure that I am not ruining precious muscle.
I have heard that fasting is good- within certain time constraints so your muscles do not eat up. What are your thoughts on fasting for this amount of time?

Fasting is an AMAZING experience. Please only listen to advice from those who have tried it. Only those people will be able to tell you how they felt, what they experienced and only those people will be able to give you educated info (more so than not) bc ppl interested in fasting do their research, they don't just "do it". Just as you are now asking about it. You are doing research (in one form) by requesting reviews.

I would like to suggest adding wheat grass juice to your lemon water, bc it gives you energy. It will make you feel like you just drank caffeine. When you drink lemon water or lime water on an empty stomach it balances your PH and it also kills bad bacteria among destroying cancer cells. The lemon water will also losen mucus trapped in your body from the meat and other things we eat. Also I would drink a detox tea like senna to push the mucus through your body since you will not be consuming fiber. Drink it in the morning and at night. If you don't cleanse often or detox often you may get cramps at first from being "built up" if you know what I mean. When you losen mucus/toxins it will make you feel sick, much like a massage losening toxins will make you feel flu-like until you flush it out. Also it is best to drink the water at room temp vs cold. More on WHY if you request me to tell you but I don't want to bog you down. The lemons/limes are acidic on the outside until they are consumed, but once inside your body they are alkaline and super healthy to consume on an empty stomach. . This cleanse will give your digestive tract a much needed rest. I do drink lemon water every morning on an empty stomach. I wait thirty mins before eating. There are so many benefits to your health from just that alone.

Additional reading on this. Google Tosca Reno fast. She suggest the same two day fast before a cleanse.

Good luck. YOu are going to have so much energy in a few days. Oh and muscle will not break down in that short time frame. I forgot the numbers, but I believe it takes weeks of fasting or starvation to deplete the muscles.

Sunny____

Some research indicates undesirable hormone responses in women (not sure if you're male or female), but you might want to look into that/consider it.

Having said that, I've done 24/36 hour fasts (twice recently just because and quite a few times over the years on particular religious days).

Hi, I am interested in reading this info. Do you have the link or can you tell me how to find it? Thanks.

jonnythan

The post above is 100% nonsense. If you weren't raging at lemon juice killing cancer cells you are soulless.

Sunny____

The post above is 100% nonsense. If you weren't raging at lemon juice killing cancer cells you are soulless.

Everyone has cancer cells in their body, but not everyone has "cancer" or I hope we don't. With a normally functioning immune system, our bodies are able to identify and eliminate these rogue cancer cells. But if our immune system is weakened and/or we are exposed to things like cigarette smoke, excessive sunlight or excessive alcohol, then these tiny cancers can grow and become a potentially life-threatening tumor.

Consuming lemon juice or soursop isn't a cure for cancer, it isn't a treatment to replace chemotherapy. I didn't say it worked better than chemo. It isn't for people who have cancer to just drink lemon juice and not visit the doctor, but It does help the body kill cancer cells. Red wine does the same thing and so does soursop (this is a fruit).

Rgtjax85

Fasting does have benefits but there is a great deal that goes into it. Before the fast eating fruits and vegtables. During the fast staying hydrated (unless for spiritual reasons you are doing a non water or food fast). When breaking the fast (breakfast) you should not eat heavy. Fruits and vegtables again. One time I broke a fast with burgers and fries (bad idea! felt so sick) Also do very minimal activity to include not working out. I only fast for religious reasons and would not recommend a fast for people that struggle with eating disorders without a large deal of accountability. Hope this helps.

Sunny____

Fasting does have benefits but there is a great deal that goes into it. Before the fast eating fruits and vegtables. During the fast staying hydrated (unless for spiritual reasons you are doing a non water or food fast). When breaking the fast (breakfast) you should not eat heavy. Fruits and vegtables again. One time I broke a fast with burgers and fries (bad idea! felt so sick) Also do very minimal activity to include not working out. I only fast for religious reasons and would not recommend a fast for people that struggle with eating disorders without a large deal of accountability. Hope this helps.

How long did you fast and what kind did you do?

Rgtjax85

The most I have done was a 48 hour water only. In January I did a three day liquid only since I had to work 12 hour shifts while my church was doing a 3 day water only. I got those V8 fusions that are high in sugar and ate one meal a day.

jofjltncb6

In to learn more about how the lemon juice can get from my stomach/intestines to where the cancer cells are in other parts of my body to kill them...(and that's assuming that the lemon juice has the power to kill the cancer cells once it gets to them*).




* And it absolutely does not, just so we're all clear on where I stand on this particular issue.


ETA: Oh, and I agree with the responses that said there may...*may*...be some potential health benefits, but detoxification isn't one of them. Not eating does not make toxins leave your body. (And if it did, someone please tell me specifically what toxins are leaving the body during the fast that otherwise weren't already leaving.)

Sunny____

In to learn more about how the lemon juice can get from my stomach/intestines to where the cancer cells are in other parts of my body to kill them...(and that's assuming that the lemon juice has the power to kill the cancer cells once it gets to them*).




* And it absolutely does not, just so we're all clear on where I stand on this particular issue.


ETA: Oh, and I agree with the responses that said there may...*may*...be some potential health benefits, but detoxification isn't one of them. Not eating does not make toxins leave your body. (And if it did, someone please tell me specifically what toxins are leaving the body during the fast that otherwise weren't already leaving.)

LOL! If you want to know HOW lemon juice travels once it is down your throat in order to benefit you, you're going to have to ask your doctor next time you see him/her. You might then understand how vitamin C "leaves your stomach/intestines (as you say) to fight a cold. And how milk " leave your intestines" (as you say) to make you have stronger bones and teeth. Or how beer leaves your stomach/intestines and makes you drunk. Those liquids escape somehow to work their magic. . hmmm?? LOL!

And then when your doctor explains how that works ask him/her about phytohemicals and if they kill cancer cells. Ask your doctor if phytochemicals are best found in citric fruits such as saw ((gulp)) "lemons"
This is a copy and paste from a website called the, "NATIONAL CANCER SOCIETY" But what the heck do they know. . .eh?

Phytochemicals are promoted for the prevention and treatment of many health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. There is some evidence that certain phytochemicals may help prevent the formation of potential carcinogens (substances that cause cancer), block the action of carcinogens on their target organs or tissue, or act on cells to suppress cancer development. Many experts suggest that people can reduce their risk of cancer significantly by eating more fruits, vegetables, and other foods from plants that contain phytochemicals. Some of the better-known phytochemicals include beta carotene and other carotenoids, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), folic acid, and vitamin E.

Lemons are ascorbic acid (vitamin c) which is found in the last line I just copied and pasted.


LOL! You're cute!

Sunny____

oops double post. Dang I hate when I do that.

Iron_Feline

No, citrus may be beneficial in possibly killing cancer cells - but currently only in laboratory tests, nothing has been proven in the body. This is a hoax based on exaggeration of scientific studies.

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/lemon-cancer-cells.shtml

"The email and information in question did not come from the Health Sciences Institute. Whoever started this scam email did use some of our published material – which had nothing to do with lemons in any way – and inserted the information about lemons. It is erroneous and has caused us a great deal of trouble. However, most troubling is that it is giving false or un-tested medical advice to people suffering with cancer. Perhaps citrus fruits have some anti-cancer properties or perhaps they don’t (I’m not qualified to speak on that), but the one thing I know for certain is the provided “source” of this information – the Health Sciences Institute – did NOT publish this information. We had nothing to do with this email or the information it contains."

And the American Cancer sociality - you I think you refer to as I cannot find a National cancer society say this about vitamin C

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/herbsvitaminsandminerals/vitamin-c

"Clinical trials of high doses vitamin C as a treatment for cancer have not shown any benefit."

"But more recent studies still have not shown that supplemental vitamin C is effective in preventing or treating cancer."

"The 2000 National Academy of Sciences report stated that there is not enough evidence to support claims that taking high doses of antioxidants (such as vitamins C and E, selenium, and beta carotene) can prevent chronic diseases. Still, a 2010 study that looked at several cohort groups noticed that people who took multivitamins had a slightly lower risk of colorectal cancer, although there are several possible explanations for this apparent reduction. But in general, recent studies that have looked at cancer risk have observed that vitamin C supplements are not linked with lower risk of cancer."


Feel free to site your sources saying that lemons kill cancer cells in the human body.


TO THE OP

As stated there are reasons to fast - but cleansing the body of toxins not one of them. Your body does that fine on its own unless you have horrible disease/illness - in which case I suggest you talk to your doctor.

Iron_Feline

Phytochemicals are promoted for the prevention and treatment of many health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. There is some evidence that certain phytochemicals may help prevent the formation of potential carcinogens (substances that cause cancer), block the action of carcinogens on their target organs or tissue, or act on cells to suppress cancer development. Many experts suggest that people can reduce their risk of cancer significantly by eating more fruits, vegetables, and other foods from plants that contain phytochemicals. Some of the better-known phytochemicals include beta carotene and other carotenoids, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), folic acid, and vitamin E

Found the article you quoted

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/herbsvitaminsandminerals/phytochemicals

nice cherry picking of lines, I've bolded the important word - and nothing in that article states that lemon juice kills cancer cells

Here is a more interesting part of the article

"Researchers have also shown much interest in phytochemical supplements. Some laboratory studies in cell cultures and animals have shown that certain phytochemicals have some activity against cancer cells or tumors. But at this time there have been no strong studies in humans showing that any phytochemical supplement can prevent or treat cancer."

just for people that might actually read and believe your nonsense about cancer.

All things in moderation is the way to a healthy body and lifestyle (disclaimer - I'm still working on that one )