| Fasting is an excellent way to lose fat and | | | | levels, but not a dangerous drop. They may also |
| improve health. Unfortunately, education about the | | | | be feeling the physical shift the body goes |
| benefits of fasting is still in it's infancy so most | | | | through when it begins to use body fat for fuel |
| people think that fasting is unhealthy and does | | | | instead of food. Sometimes discomfort may be |
| irreparable damage. | | | | due to withdrawal from caffeine or other foods |
| On the other side of the issue, some people say | | | | that they are actually sensitive to. |
| that fasting is safe but only truly beneficial if it's | | | | On the other side of the fasting debate are |
| dry, meaning that no food OR fluid is ingested | | | | people who claim that 'dry fasting' is the superior |
| during the fast. | | | | way to do an intermittent fast. Dry fasting means |
| First, I'll address the safety issue. | | | | that you avoid food AND fluid during a fast. |
| There's an unfortunate misconception that | | | | Advocates believe that avoiding fluid, including |
| long-term fasting and short-term fasting have the | | | | water, helps the body cleanse itself of toxins and |
| same effect on the body. | | | | therefore it's the only way that a person can get |
| The critics usually quote data from studies on | | | | the full 'healing' effect of fasting. |
| *long-term* fasting. Long-term fasting is indeed | | | | So far there isn't credible evidence that dry |
| dangerous and unwise, leading to many serious | | | | fasting is superior or even wise. People's hydration |
| health consequences such as malnourishment, | | | | levels differ so one person might do fine going a |
| muscle wasting and eventually death. | | | | day without water, another might suffer from |
| Short-term fasting usually means going 16-36 | | | | headaches and other ailments related to |
| hours without food or drinks that contain calories. | | | | dehydration. The humidity of the air, exercise |
| Studies show that it's safe and has health benefits | | | | levels, and other factors will influence hydration |
| that are similar to exercise, including boosting | | | | beyond fluid intake. |
| human growth hormone levels. | | | | Until more research is done on dry fasting, it's |
| And as long as weight-bearing exercise is done | | | | best to stick with methods that have been |
| weekly, there is no loss of muscle tissue during a | | | | properly studied, as intermittent fasting has. |
| short-term fast. | | | | If you'd like an efficient and safe way to lose fat |
| Blood sugar levels remain in the normal range | | | | and improve other aspects of your health, a |
| unless the individual has been medically diagnosed | | | | short-term fast done once or twice a week is |
| as hypoglycaemic *before* attempting fasting. | | | | worth a try, but until good studies are done on |
| This surprises people who experience light- | | | | dry fasting, it's wise to only avoid food, not |
| headedness when they don't eat for a few hours. | | | | water, on your fasting days. |
| What they're experiencing is a drop in blood sugar | | | | |