CW: Don’t recommend reading this post if you’re prone to disordered eating.
Am I being being too incautious by doing an 88 hour fast once a week? It seems pretty unstudied in the long term, there’s mostly studies on 48 hour fasts, and then like 30 day fasts.
The few studies on people with cancer or arthritis seem to indicate only good things, and the animal studies point to some really good things like resetting parts of your immune systems in great ways.
It also seems to be the most consistent way for me to get the type of calorie restriction that has been show to increase longevity.
Subjectively, I’m near the most productive I’ve ever been, feel close to the healthiest I ever have, and am energetic and happy.
If you’re going to do this, I would suggest getting a few DEXA scans to make sure you aren’t losing muscle mass. Also, you may need to replenish salt during the fast, and your salt needs may change with the weather, so watch out if heat or exercise makes you sweat.
Yeah. Currently I can just tell from body makeup and strength gains when weightlifting that I’ve actually been gaining muscle mass, but this may just be “regaining” and not sure if I’ll begin losing when I hit my previous point.
I have been trying to drink water throughout the day, every other glass I include a bit of salt in. One thing I wondered about was electrolytes, do you know if I should be adding those?
Like you said, since it hasn’t been studied you’re not going to find anything conclusive about it, but it may be a good idea to skip the fast once a month (i.e. 3 weeks where you do 88 hour fasts, then 1 week where you don’t fast at all).
CW: Don’t recommend reading this post if you’re prone to disordered eating.
Am I being being too incautious by doing an 88 hour fast once a week? It seems pretty unstudied in the long term, there’s mostly studies on 48 hour fasts, and then like 30 day fasts.
The few studies on people with cancer or arthritis seem to indicate only good things, and the animal studies point to some really good things like resetting parts of your immune systems in great ways.
It also seems to be the most consistent way for me to get the type of calorie restriction that has been show to increase longevity.
Subjectively, I’m near the most productive I’ve ever been, feel close to the healthiest I ever have, and am energetic and happy.
What say you?
If you’re going to do this, I would suggest getting a few DEXA scans to make sure you aren’t losing muscle mass. Also, you may need to replenish salt during the fast, and your salt needs may change with the weather, so watch out if heat or exercise makes you sweat.
Yeah. Currently I can just tell from body makeup and strength gains when weightlifting that I’ve actually been gaining muscle mass, but this may just be “regaining” and not sure if I’ll begin losing when I hit my previous point.
I have been trying to drink water throughout the day, every other glass I include a bit of salt in. One thing I wondered about was electrolytes, do you know if I should be adding those?
Is losing weight one of your goals with this?
Like you said, since it hasn’t been studied you’re not going to find anything conclusive about it, but it may be a good idea to skip the fast once a month (i.e. 3 weeks where you do 88 hour fasts, then 1 week where you don’t fast at all).
Yes, it’s definitelyone of the goals here, although equality about longevity, helping my acid reflux, and other immune system benefits