Fasting

[Scarlett]

An osteopath told me that I need to do a 3 week fast. Water only- no food. At all. What do you think?! She said that 70% of your energy goes on digesting food, so if you limit your food, your body can concentrate on healing itself and back tracking (like system restore) to when you got ill, and sort it out. I know some cultures fast, so what is the difference?

[Eve]

I'd check with your GP and whoever looks after your UC first to make sure it won't cause any problems or interaction with any medication which may need to be taken with food.

I know that bowel rest can be given with IBD gets bad but I think they drip feed etc... if it's a long period.

[Eve]

Some info down the bottom of here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting

[boogieboogie]

When people fast it's sometimes from sun rise to sun set. Never a full day or ever a full three weeks of no food. Your stomach could get hungry and eat itself. You're matabolism will not work properly when you start to eat again, you will have 0 energy and will likely pass out. Your stomach will shrink and if you eat a meal after 3 weeks could swell and burst and kill you. (This killed a bride on her wedding day) you have to be nuts to think this will benefit you.

[JonnyBoy12]

God, that sounds really dire, are they trying to kill you? When I first read this question I thought you said fasting 3 days per week, not for 3 weeks. I know some people think it is good to fast for ONE day per week, and this is usually a Sunday. Don't think that would hurt anyone. The last person I know who fasted for 40 days died at 33, but He had divine powers. Do not do this, you may cause more harm than good.

[Velvetee]

As far as I am aware, Osteopaths are not Nutritionalists and I would say giving you such advice is ill informed, irresponsible and probably dangerous.

[schmoggie]

In addition to the above comments, most people's bodies start to give off a strange, gamey/pungent odour after a certain amount of time and it is really unpleasant for other people (after a few days, I don't think the person fasting is properly aware of their own senses so don't realise how bad the smell can be)...

[catcuddler]

any1 who tells you to fast for weeks on end should b ignored at all costs.also as you will b hungry you will b drinking vast amounts of water which can b extremely dangerous as it can alter your body's salt level which rarely can be fatal.try looking online for info about it

[schmoggie]

PS I don't mean just the acid-drop smell of ketosis, which can occur after just a couple of days..it is worse than that...I'm not sure if it is a result of the body starting to digest itself, as boogieboogie says, but it is really horrible...!

[Dollie]

Absolutely ignore what you have been told. Just checked this out with my neighbour - a GP - who cannot believe you have been told this by a so-called professional.

[Ethel]

What a load of nonsense. Without food the energy your body does have will be concentrated purely on keeping vital organs going - your brain, heart, liver, kidneys, lungs. A lot of your body's energy will be needed to keep you warm. You will feel cold.

Bones need calcium. Calcium cannot be stored in the body and you need to get it through diet every day.

You wouldn't be able to work efficiently or even drive after a few days - you will be hallucinating.

Your bowels would go in to spasm - your digestive system needs food to keep it healthy.

Cultures that fast over a period of more than a few days fast only during daylight hours - they eat what they like between sunset and sunrise.

Other cultures may fast for a day or two or three. Certainly no more.

Apart from feeling ill if you don't eat for more than a very few days, you will look horrible too, and you will smell. Your breath will be dreadful and your sweat will be very unpleasant.

I can see no benefit to bones in fasting.

I would seriously report this osteopath to the overseeing body, if she is registered. She could cause somebody lasting harm.

[ELVIS68]

Is your osteopaths name Shipman by any chance?

[lindapinda]

lol at Elvis !

[Rtaxron]

Go ahead and fast for 3 weeks if you want,
but you could end up as miserable as a Muslim.

[mrs.chappie]

If you fasted for three weeks, would you be so weak that you could hardly stand up?

[Ice.Maiden]

Agree with chappie. You need food for energy, and going 3 weeks without any'd leave you in a very sorry state. Don't do it!

[Velvetee]

Sounds like this Osteopath dislikes you and wants you to die. This person should be struck off.

[Ice.Maiden]

Or were you misinterpreting what the osteopath said, Scarlett? Did she suggest that going on a short-term fast within the next three weeks might be beneficial?

[Scarlett]

Thanks! Well, I have done reading and research and mostly it says this: Some doctors believe that pure water fasting can not only detoxify cells and rejuvenate organs, but can actually cure [9] such diseases and conditions as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, colitis, psoriasis, lupus and some other autoimmune disorders when combined with a healthy diet. They believe that "Fasting is Nature's Restorer."[10] There is empirical evidence to corroborate the beliefs of these scientists. [10]

which is what the osteopath said. I am very sceptical though. I have lots of fat stores by the way.

[Scarlett]

p.s the healthy diet bit means before and after the fast