36 hour intermittent fasting

(Onkar) #1

I did 36 hour intermittent fasting for the first time.
It was mostly water and 1 cup of black coffee in the morning and evening.
My ketone levels after 36 hours before breaking fast were about 5.8 mmol/L and glucose levels: 3.2 mmol/L. Is it normal to have so low glucose levels?

Edit: To break the fast- I ate 4 tbsp of greek yogurt, 7-8 strawberry, few walnut and 2 tablespoon guac.

Any tips / suggestions what to eat/not eat to break the fast?

Thanks!!

(Robert C) #2

Hi @Keto1982

A 36 hour fast would be considered an “extended fast” (any fast over 24 hours).

Intermittent fasting is less than one day - so, each day you skip breakfast or breakfast and lunch (without snacking).

But, you did not do a 36 hour fast because you consumed things other than coffee, tea, water and electrolytes. (Just eating very little is not a fast.)

If you didn’t feel bad (and are not type 2 diabetic), you probably don’t need to worry too much about the ketone / glucose numbers.

Instead, if you were starving and that is why you snacked - you might want to get deeper into Keto before attempting it again.

(Onkar) #3

Thank you for your reply.
Just to clarify- I ate after 36 hours to break my fast (yogurt, strawberry, avacodo etc). During fast, I was having only water and had 2 cups of black coffee (no cream/sugar)

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #4

As long as your liver is producing ketone bodies, you don’t need to worry particularly about your glucose leves, unless you are feeling symptoms of hypoglycaemia. In a famous experiment, now considered highly unethical, the experimenters drove the blood glucose of participants in a fasting study down to levels that ordinarily would have caused coma or death, but the participants were fine, because their ketones kept their brains fed. We occasionally get posts like yours here on these forums, as well, and so far, no one has complained of feeling ill.

Hypoglycaemia is not something to mess with, however, so if you ever start noticing symptoms, don’t delay seeking help.

(Bob M) #5

That is impressive, for only a 36 hour fast. As you fast, your ketones should go up and glucose down, over time. It’s not a big deal unless you feel bad. Listened to one podcast where a husband and wife were fasting for a week and using CGMs, and the CGMs basically went into freak out mode because their blood sugars were so low (I believe below 30, so 1.7 on your scale).