(also posted on my blog)
Hi there!
I haven't been able to frequent the boards as much as I'd like but I have been thinking about posting this message for some time, as people should be aware of both the good and the not-so-good of something before they try it.
Long term fasting is safe. I, and others are living proof of it. By long term, I mean, anything over 30 days. However there are some things everyone should be aware of.
1. A fast over 50 days (roughly) will result in hairloss. Considering the length of time you fast, I think, the more you lose. During my longest fast (145 days) I lost a lot of hair and eventually figured out it was due to the fast. I researched like crazy and was able to find much information on long term fasting and hair loss. Unfortunettly, I no longer have this information, but I've included an interesting site I found discussing the weight loss/hair loss factor.
http://lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=173469&perpage=30&pagen...
"When you loose weight rapidly you drop your estrogen levels rapidly When you are over weight your estrogen is very high. As estrogen drops your TOM can become irregular with spotting ect. and Hairloss can occur.The hormone changes weaken the hair follicals. If you have an underlying thyroid problem it can be worse. The good news as your estrogen levels drop so does your risk for cancer, breast and uterine. The hair loss slows down and eventually stops as your estrogen levels, level out if you will."
I had read before that not ingesting oils during a fast can result in hairloss. BUT while on a fast you shouldn't be ingesting oils or any protein, so if you're worreid about losing hair, perhaps fasting for 30 days, taking a break and then starting again, would be best for you.
After I ended my fast, my hair came back in new growth, and even came in thicker. I already have thick hair so this wasn't the greatest thing, but it was also much healthier than before.
2. If you're fasting for weight loss, YOU CAN NOT GO BACK TO EATING THE WAY YOU WERE BEFORE!!!!! YOU WILL GAIN THE WEIGHT BACK. Fasting for weight loss should be the starting point of a forever change. A change in the way you eat and live. During your fast, educate yourself on healthy living and know that when you end, the SAD is a thing of the past or an occasional vistor, and I stress occasional.
I spoke with a friend of mine who expressed that he eats 80% living and 20% other. He's in great shape and is still able to get in some of that junk that's so hard to stay away from. May be a kosher way to live...
3. Research. Research. Research. Know what you're doing before you do it. It's those who get involved in something and don't do their research, and then freak when something wierd happens, that gives a subject a bad name. Research the
Science and the testimonials. :)
That's all. I hope everyone is doing well and I hope to be joining you again soon!
Blessings!