Re: Water fasting while taking medication for chronic condition

Hello!

Disclaimer: I'm a medical student, but since I'm not a medical doctor yet, my word certainly CANNOT be taken for granted. It is merely advise from one faster to another, but it is advise that I feel is based on scientific research and what I'm taught in med school.

1. Do not discontinue your medications and do not alter the prescribed dosage without consulting your doctor first! The medication for epilepsy will not break the fast or alter the process of fasting; ketosis is going to happen since you will be consuming minor to no amounts of carbohydrates. Also, your body is ALWAYS naturally detoxifying, especially when metabolizing medications; the medication is broken down (if per os, in the stomach) and then the active agents are released and go into your blood stream, while the medication's toxic waste is filtered and expelled from your body. So yes, your water fast is going to be beneficial whether or not you are on medication.

2. A cup of tea also won't break the fast, since there are very little (if any) carbohydrates in it, so you'll still be on ketosis. Even though, water fasting is considered to be ideal, drinking tea or other liquids (like coconut water) won't do any harm and you will probably reap most of the benefits of fasting! Do what you feel is most comfortable, since in your case fasting can be troublesome!

Fun fact: A ketogenic diet, like water-fasting, is very beneficial for reducing the symptoms of epilepsy and scientific evidence show that fasting has anti-seizure properties! (source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2898565/ )

Enjoy your fast!