Extended Fasting - My Experience (so far)

#21

Comment/question on the electrolytes: in the US most are full of garbage. LMNT recently got busted for having tons of maltodextrin in their unflavored packets. Most mixes have “natural flavors” (unregulated term that can include anything) and bloat me. Not sure if it’s the stevia or something hidden. I have some that claims (and tastes) to have nothing extra but it’s giving me a weird feeling around the kidneys, so I stopped.

Some people like J. Fung says you don’t really need them for fasting, but I sauna A LOT and always have so I feel lightheaded and foggy if I don’t.

Thoughts?

Thank you! I’m new.

(Peter - Don't Fear the Fat ) #22

That’s true, they did get busted for maltodextrin but the unflavoured ones don’t have it. But why does anyone buy this overpriced stuff? It’s only Sodium, Potassium and Magnesium, all very cheap minerals!

#23

Oh, I read that the unflavored ones did. Largely cause I don’t want to spend the time measuring out potassium…though I just did. Think i was getting too much sodium not enough potassium…

(Peter - Don't Fear the Fat ) #24

All the more reason to mix your own, tailor it to you needs

#25

I buy powder with Guerande seasalt, MSM,Glycine,K in two forms,Mg and Ca.

It comes with dosage instructions, I´d have no Idea how to take eg. K (Potassium) safely just by “feel”.

(KM) #26

It’s much easier to make a larger batch of your own electrolyte mix and shake it up in a jar than micro measuring every dose! Example:

Ingredients
1 teaspoon of salt, such as table salt or sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of potassium chloride
1/4 teaspoon of magnesium citrate powder
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
This is the recipe (totalling 2 teaspoons of dry ingredients) to put in 16 oz of water.

Extrapolating, 1/2 c salt, 1/4 c potassium chloride, 2 Tablespoons of mag cit. and 2 Tablespoons of baking soda = 1 cup of mix. The dose is still 2 teaspoons in 16 oz of liquid, but this jar will make 24 servings. (This is an AI recipe I found but the principle is the same regardless of the specific ingredients you choose, as long as you have a recipe that gives you proportions.)

#27

I have made that mistake more than once. The funny part is it does not always happen, often I am ending a fast because I want to go out with friends. However, after having some negative consequences, I will eat earlier in the day. I usually start with psyllium husk powder mixed with water, then wait a couple of hours and have a light meal at home. Usually I am ok

I find Day 1 usually pretty easy, Day 2 is torture and Day 3 feels like I could last forever. The problem is my sleep which gets progressively worse. I do not focus much on electrolytes but will eat salt if I am hungry. I will sometimes take magnesium pills and I have some forms of no salt that is potassium but I hate the taste but will manage to have some

(Bob M) #28

@kib1 That is a great idea about mixing your own.

@Saphire It might depend on how your body works. Mine reacts very quickly, as in the second day of fasting, I’m no longer going poop, and then when I restart eating, I’m immediately headed to the bathroom, even though there’s nothing but water inside. Like you, I have to ease into it.

I think your experience is the same as mine, although the sleeping for me is weird. Sometimes, it’s great. Other times, it’s like my hormones are going wild. I don’t sleep long, but I’m not tired. Very strange.

I haven’t done a 4.5 day fast in quite a while. I want to try one, but I’ve been required to take Jardiance (not for blood sugar reasons, but for heart reasons). It does lower my blood sugar, so I’m concerned a 4.5 day fast may not be possible.

(Peter - Don't Fear the Fat ) #29

Little Update.

it’s a week later and the effects are noticable. I can only assume the 3 day fast has accustomed me to eating less, or perhaps something has reset?
For 2 years I’ve been moaning about 2kg that’s not going away, I should be about 73kg not 75kg.
OK no big deal but always been stubbornly there in the mirror.
Anyhow, it’s gone! it’s been creeping down on the scale. Now at 72.85kg (160lbs) my 28 year old weight.
Perhaps I don’t need to stuff it all in.