(Part 3) Top products from r/fasting

I can rec this, all I take outside of water -> https://www.amazon.com/Lyte-Balance-Electrolyte-Concentrate-re-hydrating/dp/B009I4H25U?th=1

little pricey as far as these types of products go, but I really like it.

Outside of that general tips that have worked for me -

1. if you can, eat a keto diet for a few weeks prior to the fast. This primes your body perfectly. Also if you can eat keto for a few weeks + intermittent fasting that's a promising indicator you can can mentally handle a longer fast
   
2. try to stay as busy as you can, even in leisure do something fairly engrossing to distract you from thinking about how weird it is you haven't eaten for x amount of days. If I'm hungry or thinking about breaking the fast I realize I'm just not staying busy enough usually.
   
3. mornings are the worse for me, I make sure to drink water and go for a short walk asap
   
4. that said don't drink too much water, you'll flush out your body of minerals and have a bad time. If you are a big coffee drinker this is especially easy to do.
   
5. hungry? go for a walk. bored? go for a walk. low energy? the trend continues. I think it is important to maintain light-moderate physical activity...helps you get to sleep at night, which isn't that easy if you're fighting off pangs before passing out.
   
6. don't obsesses about breaking the fast perfectly, it doesn't matter that much. Use common sense, don't binge on 5 Rotisserie Chickens. I do think it helps planning on what that light meal will be as a reward prior to the fast is useful as it helps take food off your mind while you are fasting, just another thing you don't have to think about.
   
   But yeah In general I would say the most important preparation is the prefast diet + mentality. If your body is already well adjusted to running off fat it will be 10x easier.
   
   good luck!
   
   

Honestly, doing a 20/4 with keto AND paleo is a bit spartan (and almost impractical with a calorie restriction too), and probably not very sustainable for many.

The benefits of keto that I've seen are rapid fat loss, and depending on your weight, it might not be that important. Just by judging from /r/keto, a lot of people doing a long-term keto are around 300 pounds. I'm less than half of that weight…

The benefits of paleo, however, in my experience are well worth it. It's more of a dietary template for optimal health, and since going paleo I've lost 35lb (without exercise, low carb or calorie counting), became much happier and confident, got rid of all my acne, never got bloated or food coma, had super clean poops and boundless energy while being able to sleep well too.

So if you're doing a good job with losing weight just by doing 20/4, keto may not be for you. However, if you have some of the problems that I felt were addressed by going paleo, try it out for 30 days and see how you feel, then slowly reintroduce less-paleo foods like dairy or whatever to see how your body tolerates it. There's a great book that explains the paleo lifestyle and how to do a 30 day elimination program on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Starts-Food-Discover-Whole30-Unexpected/dp/1936608898

Hope that helps~

Yep. People are sooooo ingrained with their ideas of OMG you're gonna starve! They don't have the patience or inclination to sit down and read the research about how amazingly healthy it is to fast sometimes. I usually either laugh it off (like grab my hips and say look I promise I'm in no danger of starving) or I make a comment like "many cultures around the world have a tradition of fasting sometimes such as Catholics (Lent), Muslims (Ramadan), Jews (Yom Kippur), Russian orthodoxy, Hindus, buddhists, Native Americans etc and they've all survived for millennia. The body is designed to be able to be ok during periods of less food like winter or bad hunting."

If you want to learn more about the science of it so you can better explain that aspect,


https://www.amazon.com/Fasting-Eating-Health-Medical-Conquering/dp/031218719X (Great overview of why fasting)

https://www.amazon.com/Fast-Diet-Intermittent-Fasting-Healthy/dp/1780721676 (by one of the first doctors to publicize fasting)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1501140183 (More like funny memoir of experience with fasting and a layperson's understanding of the science)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ourbrokenplate/our-broken-plate/rewards (In a few months should be available- brilliantly researched)

Documentary https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihhj_VSKiTs

https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Die-Discover-Scientifically/dp/1250066115 (Not solely on fasting but so comprehensively researched that I highly recommend it - everybody should read it. Truly and literally life changing)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4684131/#!po=27.9661 (Not a book, but some good info)

If anyone is interested in why cold showers are good for you, you should check out Wim Hof: Becoming the Iceman

There's also a good youtube video that I can't seem to find, where the same fellow goes through his experiences with Wim Hof.

I'm onboard with you here! There is scientific evidence proving that you can build a resilience to cold, and this strengthens your immunal response.

It's definitely true that you can't really market either of these ideas to the masses, which is why they have such strong stigmas attached to them. It's pretty crazy how much research into fasting and low-carb diets have been done recently, and there's still this incredibly strong pushback on these types of (fringe?) sciences. Hopefully things starts to change in the next few decades.

Correction - 25 migraine days a month :). One migraine typically lasts 2-4 days. I’ve done everything possible to just function (dry needling, cranial massage, RFA, botox/myobloc injections, etc). Keto and IF have literally been a lifesaver for me.

I use this in my water (just a little squirt once or twice a day):

Electrolyte Concentrate for Rapid... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079S9QN6S?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

And these are the salt tabs I take - typically one pill twice a day:

Electrolyte Salts Rapid Oral... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N1P1ODD?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I think cutting out everything processed has been huge for me. Most of my migraines start around my occipital nerves, but something about this WOE has really helped.

There are some groups called “Keto for Neuro” or “K4N” that may be helpful if you’re interested in looking into it.

Good luck!!

For sodium, regular table salt works but it's theoretically possible to get too much iodine if you eat enough of it. I'm not sure how big of a concern that should really be though.

For potassium I use No Salt which is just straight potassium salt and can be found at Walmart. They also have things like Salt Lite which is about a 50/50 mix of sodium and potassium, but I don't think the sodium has iodine. You could always mix in a little table salt to get your iodine fix, if you went this route.

As for magnesium, magnesium glycinate seems to be the best. You want at least 200g. The one I use is https://www.amazon.com/Magnesium-Glycinate-Chelate-450-Supplement/dp/B076J7BC6Z

It is out of stock on Amazon but on their website they have it for $20. Take an hour or two before bedtime so you aren't tired in the day. I linked to Amazon in case you want a different but similar product.

Note how I didn't suggest potassium supplements. Due to outdated regulations, they can't sell more than 99mg supplements (even though a product might have a higher number on the label, this number is just total weight) which just doesn't cut it as far as your needs go.

I realize that what works for me may not work at all for you. By the same token, there's a chance it may work for you so I thought I'd share this book. This book, hands down, did more for me than any medication or therapist combined. It's work though. You must face the uncomfortable within yourself. What comes through those efforts is a bit of peace that I didn't know could be. There were things the "voice" in my head said to me that I didn't even know was there. Always thought I was exempt from said voice. I wasn't. It just didn't manifest the way I thought it would from other's accounts of it.

Anyway, wishing you the best.

https://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-New-Mood-Therapy/dp/0380810336

I can echo that getting a little magnesium powder at night before bed has made a huge difference in how I feel and my level of energy during fasting. I take a powder called Calm https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OQ2DJQ/ I take one teaspoon in water before bed. I would recommend it purely on my own experience.

I just jumped into a 3 day fast my first time hearing about it from friends who were fasting. First one was the hardest, had headaches the 2nd and 3rd day, then I got an electrolyte supplement to add to my water and after that the headaches disappeared. Each fast has been easier than the one before.

This is the electrolyte solution I add to water:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079S9QN6S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just look up the name exactly as I spelled it

Edit: I didn’t want to share a link because I am still not sure if this is the best option and I am not affiliated with the company, and I’m not sure if I want to encourage people to take it, but here it is Keto Electrolyte Supplement (180... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RDMC786?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I've found some at Whole foods (365) brand, and I think Publix (I live in Florida), it's usually by the First aid, asprin, exlax section. Metamucil has other stuff in it besides the husks, I haven't tried it. There may be a store brand version of Psyllium husk at your store though too.

I have also bought this brand off of Amazon. Both it and 365 were good!

I'm on day four of my first so can't help with tips on a 30 day. But here are some good links I've found:

The health benefits of water fasting

Fasting Center

Tanglewood

Videos:

Loren Lockman Videos

Books (I've not read them but I ordered them based on the reviews):

Fuhrman Book on fasting

Eat to Live

Detox

Based on what I've read and my experience at day 4 I'm sold on fasting for life.

Thanks. I buy pretty much everything off of Amazon, for the potassium and magnesium in capsule form I like Now Foods brand:

Potassium Citrate

Magnesium Citrate

I broke the fast last night, just wasn't feeling right and decided it was better to end it than to push on. They say your body will tell you when you need to end it and I was having that feeling, but no regrets and I feel good about it.

Along the lines of well known writers who recommended fasting...

Upton Sinclair also wrote a book on fasting:

The Fasting Cure https://www.amazon.com/dp/8892597930/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0LYGzbZ5C1KYN

Read the reviews on this book:

https://www.amazon.com/Brain-over-Binge-Conventional-Recovered/dp/0984481702

Just know that there is hope.

https://www.amazon.ca/Natural-Vitality-Supplement-Raspberry-Lemon/dp/B000OQ2DJQ

if you like pop try this

Hey! Your post is a bit old, but I just wanted to throw this out there. I use a capful of this daily every time I do a fast since potassium and magnesium are the main things I worry about. It's a little expensive but easier to get down than the tabs or a ton of different supplements. It also lasts for ages since you have to use so little.

https://www.amazon.com/Lyte-Balance-Electrolyte-Concentrate-re-hydrating/dp/B009I4H25U/ref=sr_1_7_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1491253642&sr=8-7&keywords=electrolyte+liquid

I find it helps keep me from getting shaky or light-headed.

Read that book : https://www.amazon.fr/New-Psycho-Cybernetics-Original-Science-Self-Improvement/dp/0735202850

https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299

Magnesium Glycinate 450 mg - Mag... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076J7BC6Z?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Jason Fung of course.

Also https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TM2SKVF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_hrF1DbKZQAA3Y

And not a fasting book but https://www.amazon.com/dp/162860378X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_1rF1DbYYD6YX6

You can get potassium here.

Especially if you're going to be taking fiber during your fast, I highly recommend switching to a fiber supplement without so many additives. Not sure how your body handles it, but for me all those additives during a fast would be a recipe for some nasty headaches. Look for something that is just fiber without additives. I buy this stuff.

> do those millions of asian people not get fat from rice? How do those millions of Africans live on root starches and vegetables? How do those millions of South American people live and stay slim on corn? How do those Okinawans live to 100 years on a starch-based lifestyle?

By working all day in the fields or factories and burning 3000+ calories per day.

Even Ancient Romans received 1300 grams of bread daily with olive oil from the State (Source).

I'm not saying that carbohydrates are the evil.

I think that a grain-based diet is not compatible with staying all day on a chair or a couch.

There is an interesting book written by a journalist that lived a really unhealthy lifestyle (alcoholic, traveled a lot, ate like crap and treated his body very badly)

(This is going somewhere near with me) he also had some pretty bad back problems. Ie: broken and fused etc.

He got into yoga of all things (also detoxed himself from the alcohol and unhealthy food- went vegetarian and then I think vegan?) and the yoga apparently (according to him) fixed his back. Interesting book!

https://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Pose-Yoga-Literally-Saved/dp/1937856690

Anyway, maybe worth a read?

I seriously think it's a terrible idea. It just leads to even worse binges when you do break the fast.

I used to have a serious binge eating problem myself, what helping me tremendously was this book.

There are SO many holes in what you have posted here, that it would take me a good hour or two, to walk you through all of them. So instead of tackling EVERYTHING, I will a few random ones (low hanging fruit, so to speak).

Some Basic Problems

1. That article on paleoleap.com you refer to is, well, nothing more than a random internet page put up by some or other random internet peep. The site comes no where close to meeting a minimum level as far as reputability goes.
   
   
2. You then, and I quote, "[...] Googled it and it's legit!!!". Well I googled flat-earth and found this almost 5* rated book on Amazon, so the earth must be flat! It's legit!
   
   
   Major Logical Leap / Failure
   
   
3. You cannot include research discussing dioxin poisoning, and risks from rapid weight-loss, in the same post. This is just idiotic, and fear mongering. The research is clearly aimed at severe concentrations of POPs.
   
   
4. You make the claim that the research by Ingram and Mussolino concerning rapid weight loss & increases in all cause mortality, supports the view that POPs is the cause? But this is YOUR conclusion, and not that of Ingram etc. In fact, none of their conclusions comes close to supporting your claim.
   
   
   Focus on POPs
   So you have chosen to focus on POPs as the latest "scary" health issue. A few questions:
   
   
5. What is the average concentration level of POPs in the average person?
   
   
6. What is a dangerous concentration of POPs?
   
   
7. How far off is the average person from this dangerous level?
   
   
8. What is the average increase in absolute (not relative) risk, from the average obese person losing weight, and increasing their "POPS". I mean if it increases from 0.001% to 0.002% it technically doubled, but barely registers as a risk.
   
   
   I could go on and on and on . . .