Weight Loss
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If anyone has access to PubMed articles and can get this, it would be greatly appreciated.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi ?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Abstract Plus&list_uids=17444963&query_hl=2&am p;itool=pubmed_docsum
Fasting - the ultimate diet? Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, UK.
Adult humans often undertake acute fasts for cosmetic, religious or medical reasons. For example, an estimated 14% of US adults have reported using fasting as a means to control body weight and this approach has long been advocated as an intermittent treatment for gross refractory obesity. There are unique historical data sets on extreme forms of food restriction that give insight into the consequences of starvation or semi-starvation in previously healthy, but usually non-obese subjects. These include documented medical reports on victims of hunger strike, famine and prisoners of war. Such data provide a detailed account on how the body adapts to prolonged starvation. It has previously been shown that fasting for the biblical period of 40 days and 40 nights is well within the overall physiological capabilities of a healthy adult. However, the specific effects on the human body and mind are less clearly documented, either in the short term (hours) or in the longer term (days). This review asks the following three questions, pertinent to any weight-loss therapy, (i) how effective is the regime in achieving weight loss, (ii) what impact does it have on psychology? and finally, (iii) does it work long-term?
PMID: 17444963 [PubMed - in process]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi ?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Abstract Plus&list_uids=17444963&query_hl=2&am p;itool=pubmed_docsum
Fasting - the ultimate diet? Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, UK.
Adult humans often undertake acute fasts for cosmetic, religious or medical reasons. For example, an estimated 14% of US adults have reported using fasting as a means to control body weight and this approach has long been advocated as an intermittent treatment for gross refractory obesity. There are unique historical data sets on extreme forms of food restriction that give insight into the consequences of starvation or semi-starvation in previously healthy, but usually non-obese subjects. These include documented medical reports on victims of hunger strike, famine and prisoners of war. Such data provide a detailed account on how the body adapts to prolonged starvation. It has previously been shown that fasting for the biblical period of 40 days and 40 nights is well within the overall physiological capabilities of a healthy adult. However, the specific effects on the human body and mind are less clearly documented, either in the short term (hours) or in the longer term (days). This review asks the following three questions, pertinent to any weight-loss therapy, (i) how effective is the regime in achieving weight loss, (ii) what impact does it have on psychology? and finally, (iii) does it work long-term?
PMID: 17444963 [PubMed - in process]
i dont have access.
but i have fasted and done quite a bit a research on it.
fasting is just one of those things that isnt for everyone because of the complications that can occur which can lead to a fatality.
anything over 48 should never be done at home and the BMR starts to slow by day three.
its not if it does work or if it doesnt work...
its more like:
-is it safe for your individual body? - if you are on meds forget about it. if you have kidney/liver/heart disease forget about it. if you are preggers/nursing NO NO NO NOOOOOOO. also persons with e.d. historys or underweight or malnourished you should not fast.
and heres the kicker...you can be obese and be malnourished if your diet had a lot of "empty calories"
- are you willing to do the follow up work that comes with it?
metab repair, eat less than normal diet cals post fast for 2 months?
- do you want to reduce fat only? or fat and lean muscle tissue?
(it eats both)
my experiences :
i did the master cleanse. its the only fast i would suggest to anyone. you go through a detox so its kinda feels like quitting smoking and you arent sure if you want to cry or kick peoples heads off. ha haa. i skipped the laxative tea and salt water flush though because ...eww. i used pulp in the lemonade instead.
- i lost 15 pounds in 4 days
- everything was intense i could smell EVERYTHING so strongly.
-5 came right back on in colon weight (food- this is normal avg)
- i never regained those 10
- lost the kanga poochy tum forever
- it reduced the sprinter muscle i had in my thighs ( i couldnt get rid of those forever it seemed)
- it started my body into healing - i seemed to absorb vits better, my hair and nails grew faster
- got rid of all my fine lines and dull skin
i dont think you should fast that long though.
i dont want to do it again for four days.
water fasting is harsh on the body. i dont think people should do that. juice fasts are mild. you metab doesnt drop into nothing. plus you are getting nutrients to support your body. i also couldnt lose wt until i detoxed. i hit a really bad stall.
i have tried longer fasts...i just felt like crap. i dont like them. also the wt. didnt stay off like the short one.
plus if you get into fasting all the time. thats bad. you body gets used to it for one. so that totally throws the whole weight loss purpose out the window.
but i have fasted and done quite a bit a research on it.
fasting is just one of those things that isnt for everyone because of the complications that can occur which can lead to a fatality.
anything over 48 should never be done at home and the BMR starts to slow by day three.
its not if it does work or if it doesnt work...
its more like:
-is it safe for your individual body? - if you are on meds forget about it. if you have kidney/liver/heart disease forget about it. if you are preggers/nursing NO NO NO NOOOOOOO. also persons with e.d. historys or underweight or malnourished you should not fast.
and heres the kicker...you can be obese and be malnourished if your diet had a lot of "empty calories"
- are you willing to do the follow up work that comes with it?
metab repair, eat less than normal diet cals post fast for 2 months?
- do you want to reduce fat only? or fat and lean muscle tissue?
(it eats both)
my experiences :
i did the master cleanse. its the only fast i would suggest to anyone. you go through a detox so its kinda feels like quitting smoking and you arent sure if you want to cry or kick peoples heads off. ha haa. i skipped the laxative tea and salt water flush though because ...eww. i used pulp in the lemonade instead.
- i lost 15 pounds in 4 days
- everything was intense i could smell EVERYTHING so strongly.
-5 came right back on in colon weight (food- this is normal avg)
- i never regained those 10
- lost the kanga poochy tum forever
- it reduced the sprinter muscle i had in my thighs ( i couldnt get rid of those forever it seemed)
- it started my body into healing - i seemed to absorb vits better, my hair and nails grew faster
- got rid of all my fine lines and dull skin
i dont think you should fast that long though.
i dont want to do it again for four days.
water fasting is harsh on the body. i dont think people should do that. juice fasts are mild. you metab doesnt drop into nothing. plus you are getting nutrients to support your body. i also couldnt lose wt until i detoxed. i hit a really bad stall.
i have tried longer fasts...i just felt like crap. i dont like them. also the wt. didnt stay off like the short one.
plus if you get into fasting all the time. thats bad. you body gets used to it for one. so that totally throws the whole weight loss purpose out the window.
i jsut wanted to add...all your foods post fast should be as nutrient dense and high fiber as possible to help restore the body and strengthen the new cleaned out intestinal walls. (fiber = push)
Antoinette, your testimonial for the master cleanse fast has perked my interest. Where would I go to find the correct information on how to do it if I decided to?
i love fasting in general because of how intense it is. it definately is not for everyone, but the way people write it off so quickly here is definately kind of ignorant.
when i fast wrong its horrible, been when i do it right its brilliant. yeah, its amazing to lose like 4 pounds in a day, but there are so many other aspects. when i fast im so intune with everything about me its almost frightening. i can feel my heart pounding, my head tingling, somedays im walking on air, others i'll wake up feeling weightless, and then youll have those days where every little move is a strain, and you feel this close to dying, but overall its a great journey, and i think its worth it to push my body, and test myself, and become intune. without focusing on "what time am i going to eat my next meal" after you've finished it, on a fast you open your mind to more important things.
so clearly i am pro-fasting for myself atleast. as i said though, majority probably couldn't handle it. and even me on my most recent fast focked it up royally with a b/p. but im back on tomorrow and very excited.
when i fast wrong its horrible, been when i do it right its brilliant. yeah, its amazing to lose like 4 pounds in a day, but there are so many other aspects. when i fast im so intune with everything about me its almost frightening. i can feel my heart pounding, my head tingling, somedays im walking on air, others i'll wake up feeling weightless, and then youll have those days where every little move is a strain, and you feel this close to dying, but overall its a great journey, and i think its worth it to push my body, and test myself, and become intune. without focusing on "what time am i going to eat my next meal" after you've finished it, on a fast you open your mind to more important things.
so clearly i am pro-fasting for myself atleast. as i said though, majority probably couldn't handle it. and even me on my most recent fast focked it up royally with a b/p. but im back on tomorrow and very excited.
yes, I too am a strong advocate of fasting, with a similar disclaimer that not everyone is suited to it personality wise, and some may have health complications that discourage fasting.
I'd just like to see this paper, to see how thoroughy they cover the ground and just what their conclusions are.
I'd just like to see this paper, to see how thoroughy they cover the ground and just what their conclusions are.
So, I looked for that article, but PubMed wouldn't release its full text to me =(. However, I medline searched the author and found some of his other stuff...I found one very interesting (Posting relevant info below, if anyone wants the entire thing, let me know I can send it via e-mail, it's just too big to fit on here!). I have never fasted before, but have looked into it in the past. After reading he article (below) I don't think it's such a bad thing anyway. Of course, the fats below was only 36 hours, so I don't knwo about 4 days!
AIM: Humans appear to defend against energy deficit to a greater extent than energy surplus. Severe dietary energy restriction resulting in 5-30% weight loss often leads to hyperphagia and weight regain in lean subjects. However, the period of time over which fasting is often endured in Western society are far shorter, ~1-2 days. This study examined how a 36 h fast effected the subsequent day's energy and nutrient intake in a group of 24 healthy, lean men and women.
METHOD: Subjects underwent two 2 day treatments, termed 'fast' and 'maintenance'. During the 'fast' treatment, subjects were fed a maintenance diet on the day prior to the fast (day -1) to prevent overeating. They then consumed non-energy drinks only, from 20:00 h on day -1 to 08:00 h on day 2 (ad libitum feeding day), thus fasting for 36 h. On the 'maintenance' protocol, subjects received a maintenance diet throughout day 1. Throughout day 2 they had ad libitum access to a range of familiar foods, which were the same for both treatments. Body weight, blood glucose and respiratory quotient were used as compliance checks. Hunger was monitored on day's -1, 1 and 2 for the fast treatment only.
RESULTS: On day 2, average energy intake was 10.2 vs 12.2 MJ/day (s.e.d. 1.0) on the post-maintenance and post-fast periods, respectively (P=0.049). Subjects altered feeding behaviour, in response to the fast, only at breakfast time, selecting a higher-fat meal (P<0.005). Compared to day -1, motivation to eat was elevated during the fast (P<0.05). This continued until breakfast was consumed during the re-feeding period (day 2), when values then returned to baseline. There was no significant difference between the amount or energy content of foods consumed at the different mealtimes or snacks during day 2, although, subjects tended to consume slightly more at breakfast and lunch on the post-fast treatment in comparison with the control period. Notably, fat intake was almost double at breakfast after the fast than during the control period
Even though subjects were not eating on day 1 (fasting day), they exhibited a typical rise in hunger at mealtimes. All subjects lost weight during the 36 h fast (day 2 minus day -1). There was no significant difference between the men and women (P=0.082), with an average loss of 1.33 kg (s.d. 0.55) in the men and 1.00 kg (s.d. 0.30) in the women. There was slight evidence that men tended to lose more weight than women, on account of their larger size. Subjects showed a significant elevation of mean daily energy intake (EI) after a 36 h fast.
CONCLUSION: These data suggest that a 36 h fast, which generated a negative energy balance of ~12 MJ, did not induce a powerful, unconditioned stimulus to compensate on the subsequent day.
AIM: Humans appear to defend against energy deficit to a greater extent than energy surplus. Severe dietary energy restriction resulting in 5-30% weight loss often leads to hyperphagia and weight regain in lean subjects. However, the period of time over which fasting is often endured in Western society are far shorter, ~1-2 days. This study examined how a 36 h fast effected the subsequent day's energy and nutrient intake in a group of 24 healthy, lean men and women.
METHOD: Subjects underwent two 2 day treatments, termed 'fast' and 'maintenance'. During the 'fast' treatment, subjects were fed a maintenance diet on the day prior to the fast (day -1) to prevent overeating. They then consumed non-energy drinks only, from 20:00 h on day -1 to 08:00 h on day 2 (ad libitum feeding day), thus fasting for 36 h. On the 'maintenance' protocol, subjects received a maintenance diet throughout day 1. Throughout day 2 they had ad libitum access to a range of familiar foods, which were the same for both treatments. Body weight, blood glucose and respiratory quotient were used as compliance checks. Hunger was monitored on day's -1, 1 and 2 for the fast treatment only.
RESULTS: On day 2, average energy intake was 10.2 vs 12.2 MJ/day (s.e.d. 1.0) on the post-maintenance and post-fast periods, respectively (P=0.049). Subjects altered feeding behaviour, in response to the fast, only at breakfast time, selecting a higher-fat meal (P<0.005). Compared to day -1, motivation to eat was elevated during the fast (P<0.05). This continued until breakfast was consumed during the re-feeding period (day 2), when values then returned to baseline. There was no significant difference between the amount or energy content of foods consumed at the different mealtimes or snacks during day 2, although, subjects tended to consume slightly more at breakfast and lunch on the post-fast treatment in comparison with the control period. Notably, fat intake was almost double at breakfast after the fast than during the control period
Even though subjects were not eating on day 1 (fasting day), they exhibited a typical rise in hunger at mealtimes. All subjects lost weight during the 36 h fast (day 2 minus day -1). There was no significant difference between the men and women (P=0.082), with an average loss of 1.33 kg (s.d. 0.55) in the men and 1.00 kg (s.d. 0.30) in the women. There was slight evidence that men tended to lose more weight than women, on account of their larger size. Subjects showed a significant elevation of mean daily energy intake (EI) after a 36 h fast.
CONCLUSION: These data suggest that a 36 h fast, which generated a negative energy balance of ~12 MJ, did not induce a powerful, unconditioned stimulus to compensate on the subsequent day.
i'm a fan of fasting as well as i think its good for your body to turn inwards not always being jammed full of excess foods. I can't believe you lost 15 pounds in 4 days antoinette! Did you just drink lemon pulp and water?
Heres my only question though: After you stop your fast, does your body hoard every little morsel you eat? i.e would eating 1200 calories the day after your fast end up being slapped to your thighs like 5000 would?
Heres my only question though: After you stop your fast, does your body hoard every little morsel you eat? i.e would eating 1200 calories the day after your fast end up being slapped to your thighs like 5000 would?
Quick question...do you drink the lemonade warm or cold on the Master Cleanse??
As I read this thread, I am curious as to why so many of you are fasting, or considering a fast, as a means to lose weight.
I've worked in perinatal health for fifteen years. When I began, labouring women admitted to the hospital received a standing medical order of nil per os, or, nothing by mouth. The idea was that the enforced fast would prevent complications if the woman had to have surgery at the end of her labour. Time after time, in fact, in all but a few rare occasions, the enforced fast resulted in the woman needing a glucose drip because she could not continue to labour without ANY food energy. Her stores would not carry her. In more than a few cases, the lack of food energy culminated in a "failure to progress" and the woman ended up with a cesarean.
Over the years, doctors have noticed the same thing. In all but a few archaic hospitals, the nil per os orders have been removed. As the NPO orders disappeared, so did many of the women who needed an IV or a cesarean. At some point, it became clear that a woman can not labour and successfully give birth without access to food to fuel her body.
I take that information to the weight loss arena and I am left with the question: is a fast a good way to lose weight? Time after time, I am struck that the if it can't be good for a labouring woman AND it results in medical intervention to perform a fairly normal physiological process, it can not be any better for an overweight person.
I know the history of fasts as well as anyone else in this thread. I know - and believe - they have a time and a place. Based on my own experience with fifteen years of watching women fast, and based on the science of weight loss, fasting does not encourage weight loss, it encourages a messed up metabolism.
If you want to fast for religious purposes or for personal reasons, by all means do so. But if you believe a fast, or even a cleanse, is a good way to lose weight, science is not on your side.
I've worked in perinatal health for fifteen years. When I began, labouring women admitted to the hospital received a standing medical order of nil per os, or, nothing by mouth. The idea was that the enforced fast would prevent complications if the woman had to have surgery at the end of her labour. Time after time, in fact, in all but a few rare occasions, the enforced fast resulted in the woman needing a glucose drip because she could not continue to labour without ANY food energy. Her stores would not carry her. In more than a few cases, the lack of food energy culminated in a "failure to progress" and the woman ended up with a cesarean.
Over the years, doctors have noticed the same thing. In all but a few archaic hospitals, the nil per os orders have been removed. As the NPO orders disappeared, so did many of the women who needed an IV or a cesarean. At some point, it became clear that a woman can not labour and successfully give birth without access to food to fuel her body.
I take that information to the weight loss arena and I am left with the question: is a fast a good way to lose weight? Time after time, I am struck that the if it can't be good for a labouring woman AND it results in medical intervention to perform a fairly normal physiological process, it can not be any better for an overweight person.
I know the history of fasts as well as anyone else in this thread. I know - and believe - they have a time and a place. Based on my own experience with fifteen years of watching women fast, and based on the science of weight loss, fasting does not encourage weight loss, it encourages a messed up metabolism.
If you want to fast for religious purposes or for personal reasons, by all means do so. But if you believe a fast, or even a cleanse, is a good way to lose weight, science is not on your side.
"As I read this thread, I am curious as to why so many of you are fasting, or considering a fast, as a means to lose weight."
I can tell you why and I think you know why as well...
People want a SHORT CUT to weightloss.
It's sad that here we are with a diet about calorie counting that actually FULLY works yet so many try their best to cheat their way through it instead of just following the basic rules and watching the weight drop slowly and consistently over time.
I can tell you why and I think you know why as well...
People want a SHORT CUT to weightloss.
It's sad that here we are with a diet about calorie counting that actually FULLY works yet so many try their best to cheat their way through it instead of just following the basic rules and watching the weight drop slowly and consistently over time.
For me and I suspect alot of us - it is not about weightloss. I fast once a month for 1 -2 days. I do it because I feel good and my mind is clearer as well as my body.
I have fasted (juice) for as long 2 weeks and while I would not recommend it to everyone there are those that understand the need. It is as much a mental state as it is a body state and that is the primary reason for me.
I relate it to unclogging the pipes and giving them a chance to run with clean water. It is a wonderful excperience and it has nothing to do with weightloss and it shouldn't for anyone else for that matter. It is about giving the mind and body a rest to catch up with itself.
I have fasted (juice) for as long 2 weeks and while I would not recommend it to everyone there are those that understand the need. It is as much a mental state as it is a body state and that is the primary reason for me.
I relate it to unclogging the pipes and giving them a chance to run with clean water. It is a wonderful excperience and it has nothing to do with weightloss and it shouldn't for anyone else for that matter. It is about giving the mind and body a rest to catch up with itself.
cmilington-um, your talking about pregnant women, who have a child who needs the cals, and bodies that are under a completely differant situation, so how the heck does that compare to a regular "dieter"....it doesn't.
really bad analogy.
really bad analogy.
Just for the record, I'm interested because of what it does to "reboot" your body so to speak, not to lose weight.
Pinthin, it's a totally fine analogy. Labour is hard work, but it is still a normal physiological process. It's not aerobic, it does require food for fuel and in most situations, a labouring mother will not require much in the way of food throughout her entire labour.
The difference between a labouring mother and most of the dieters on CC is that the mother will probably lose more weight faster... and with more success if she eats than if she fasts.
The difference between a labouring mother and most of the dieters on CC is that the mother will probably lose more weight faster... and with more success if she eats than if she fasts.
I think before some people jump to conclusions with regards as to why others are interested in this subject they should ask. Don't assume that because fasting does lead to some weight loss that is why everyone is interested in it. It is rude and jedgmental to assume negative things about individuals whom you are not aquainted with.
From my perspective, being someone interested in meditation, yoga, and other ways of "purifying" and coming into touch with oneself, I find fasting interesting for those things. I do not intend to fast for long periods, nor do I necessarily believe I will lose weight that will stay off after another week of eating. I am merely interested in the psychological and emotional benefits of fasting.
From my perspective, being someone interested in meditation, yoga, and other ways of "purifying" and coming into touch with oneself, I find fasting interesting for those things. I do not intend to fast for long periods, nor do I necessarily believe I will lose weight that will stay off after another week of eating. I am merely interested in the psychological and emotional benefits of fasting.
I have gained access to the article. What you cited tgbrown is also included in the article.
In the Study involved, the fasting subjects did a total fast for 6 consecutive days. There were compared to a group that was put on a very low calorie diet, and another group on a low calorie diet (LC).
However, it will take some time to absorb the resuls of the Study -- be back later to give a good summary.
What is needed, in my opinion, is a study that uses much shorter fasts, like the 20/4 program that I use, or the alternate day fasting, or using a single fast day each week, as some do.
In the Study involved, the fasting subjects did a total fast for 6 consecutive days. There were compared to a group that was put on a very low calorie diet, and another group on a low calorie diet (LC).
However, it will take some time to absorb the resuls of the Study -- be back later to give a good summary.
What is needed, in my opinion, is a study that uses much shorter fasts, like the 20/4 program that I use, or the alternate day fasting, or using a single fast day each week, as some do.
I understand the questions and ceoncerns of fasting and maybe I just dont have any willpower but I am doing this as a detox so that I am less likely to crave the fats and sugars as I do now. I have read up on the Master Clease and spoken to my doctor about it and I was told it was fine to do. She recommended that I just dont stay on it for longer than my body can handle. It is a 10 day fast but I only plan on doing it for 2-4 days depending on the results. Who knows I may only make it a day. I know I will lose weight on this but that is not why I want to do it. Based on all the journals and threads I have read on people really come out of it feeling healthier about themselves.
I'm fasting today, simply because I just started on my diet and I want to see if I can make it through an entire day without food. I think it will help me mentally, to know I'm not a prisoner anymore.
I tried the master cleanse 2 years ago for 2 weeks and gained weight on it. I followed it to the t. The weight came off again when I started eating
INtersting. Did it help with cravings or anything??
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