Are there studies on fasting and blood chemistry?

Question

There is no doubt that fasting is beneficial, as I've tried it myself. But does the body actually "purge" itself of toxins as we have been told? Are they flushed out of tissues and dumped into the bloodstream? Where do they go? What percentages are excreted from the skin? The bowel? The lungs? The sinuses? Is it even measurable? Are there examples of blood chemistry before, during and after a long fast? Is the blood full of stress-related chemicals before the fast? Does the blood become "dirty" with toxins and perhaps microbes/parasites/pathogens during the cleansing stage (when we experience the headaches, chills, fever, nausea, etc)? Does the blood become "clean" again after the fast has ended? Most importantly, where has this all been proven? Everyone has an opinion, but I'm interested in knowing where I can find the FACTS.

Definitions of fasts:
Dry Fasting: No food, no liquid. Very challenging and requires close supervision. Obviously not for extended periods, but a powerful type of fast (supposedly).

Water Fasting: No food, only purified water. Also very challenging. Produces hard and fast cleansing but also causes very intense side effects. For more experienced fasters.

Juice fasting: Pure fresh fruit juices and purified water. Provides nutrients in a pre-digested format, yet allows digestive system to rest and heal. High-energy fast that does not require faster to conserve energy (quite the opposite...you take stairs two at a time!). Side effects are mild.

I'll trust personal experience over inexperienced "professional opinion" any day. As I said, EVERYONE has an opinion...even doctors. I'm just interested in what has been proven. No conclusions necessary. Just raw data.

Answer 1

I cannot answer your question, but wanted to share an anectdote that may make it easier for you next time you fast. For a few months I did a raw food diet (~ 80%) and it was very easy with no headache or other unpleasant symptoms at all to fast. The supposition was amongst we raw foodists that the body had the chance to catch up all along & so didn't have any extra to "dump" into the blood when the fast started.

Excellent question!

;-)

Answer 2

I am sorry if this post comes out negatively toned. I am not sure , firstly, how you have come to the assumption that fasting is beneficial because you've tried it yourself. And, who's been told that the body "purge's itself of toxins" during a fast? Is this info from an ancient times documentary or some radical diet book? It sure isn't from a med-textbook.

Nothing is fluched out of the body during fasting because your body shuts down. It conserves any little fluid it has and starts metabolizing its fat cells so you can continue to breathe, walk and think.

Chemicals are super-concentrated because of a lack of fluid. Specific gravity of urine increases.Thinking becomes impaired.

If you want to rid your body of toxins and free-radicals, stop putting harmful substances into your body and look at the million supplements and produce and substances proven to detoxify your body