Extended Fast

What’s happening on the Inside?

During the first 3 days, your body is ramping up autophagy (the body's way of cleaning out damaged cells) and peaks at day 3. Also during autophagy, Human Growth Hormone (HGH) increases which helps to maintain, build, and repair healthy tissue in the brain and other organs. This hormone can help to speed up healing after an injury and repair muscle tissue after exercise and to build muscle mass, boost metabolism, and burn fat. HGH is also said to benefit the quality and appearance of the skin.

After 3 days, autophagy starts to decline and stem cell production hits his peak and stays there for the remainder of the fast - repairing damaged areas in the body. Immune and Musculoskelatal stem cells peak at day 3 and Intestinal stem cells peak at day 4.

Starting a fast with 18-24 hours of dry fasting can accelerate the clean up and repair phase and is similar to a 72 hour water fast.

Blood sugars which fluctuate during the first 4 days, stabilize and remain low on/after day 4 and dramatically reduce insulin resistance, increasing insulin sensitivity at the cellular level and stimulating healing of pancreatic cells.

Weight loss and ketosis kicks in at around 30 hours of fasting and starts reaching into stored fat to burn fuel, plateaus a little at day 2- 3 and then shoots up again after day 3 and continues to rise.

Finally, the following are some added benefits to fasting:

• Promotes Blood Sugar Control by Reducing Insulin Resistance.

  1. Promotes Better Health by Fighting Inflammation.

  2. Enhances Heart Health by Improving Blood Pressure, Triglycerides and Cholesterol Levels.

  3. Boosts Brain Function and Prevent Neurodegenerative Disorders.

  4. Delay Aging and Extend Longevity

  5. Starves out cancer cells

  6. May Aid in Cancer Prevention and Increase the Effectiveness of Chemotherapy

What to know when preparing for an extended fast

• Wean off of caffeine (to avoid headache)

• Wean off of sugar to help reduce cravings

• Feast on higher, healthy fats and complex carbs leading up to the fast

• Do not feast - trying to make up for the fast - eat just fruits/veggies or have a plant-based shake when breaking an extended water fast.

• Don’t over-exert with exercise- going on walks and doing light exercises/stretching are helpful

• Eliminate all meat, dairy products, fish, eggs, black tea, coffee, sugar, alcohol, cigarettes… greasy foods... This will make the process of prolonged fasting enjoyable, and it is strongly recommended. Recommended 2-5 days prior to extended water fast