Re: I Think I Know What Went Wrong. Do read from the Soil and Health Library

Lownskater's blood pressure is a little low, but it's low-normal. Hypotension (too low blood pressure) is anything less than 90/60. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80. The lesser number is the diastolic blood pressure and indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats. The larger number (systolic) represents the amount of pressure that blood exerts on arteries while the heart is beating. Lownskater's systolic reading (104) is completely within normal ranges. His diastolic reading (63) might be a little low, but still doesn't qualify as hypotension. I respectfully disagree with you, saywhatagain, that lowered blood pressure is not normal during a fast. I'm no medical professional but I do a great deal of reading on the subject and have read numerous times that blood pressure lowers during a fast. About the insomnia, I again respectfully disagree with you. I'm pretty sure that insomnia is part and parcel of the fasting experience. It's not a bad thing, it's just that our bodies don't need as much sleep, it's already in a state of rest. I think you misread my statements about bloating, I never suggested it was normal. On the contrary I suggested that it indicated that his digestive system was alerting him that it's not tolerating well the food he's ingesting, either because of it's quality, or it's quantity. Someone could come along with expert knowledge and correct me and I will humbly accept their wisdom, but I'm a pretty experienced faster and my skin always grows pale when I fast. I personally feel, as chiron stated, that the fear aspect is the real concern in lownskater's case. Our emotions can literally manifest illness. One should enter a fast with optimism. It's really a very exciting experience. What other modalities offer you the chance to affect the best health and vitality that your body is capable of - that's great stuff. When you fast all manner of strange and weird symptoms arise. His spasms and crawling skin could be his healing crisis. He did state that he went to an emergency room twice. No doubt he confessed his fasting status and no doubt they evaluated him for problems. I know his potassium was too low, not in the danger zone, but close. He, and the hospital took steps to remedy that. I don't know enough about potassium levels to comment on whether or not his levels were alarming. Lownskater, if you're reading this I apologize for talking about you as if you're not present, I'm primarily responding to saywhatagain's post. I really hope the aftermath of this experience brings positive changes to your health and wellbeing. Please stop fasting and start reading about the exciting ways you can affect your vitality and health thru diet and fasting. You shouldn't enter into another fast until you've given yourself a better education. We'll all be here to offer support when you're ready for your next fasting adventure.