Re: Losing Muscle Mass when fasting?

In a water only fast the muscle wasting period is only supposed to last 48-72 hours then ketosis sets in. After that very little muscle mass is lost as long as there is fuel (fat and toxins) to feed the body. However, we have discussed, but not found definitive proof that true ketosis is best achieved and maintained while the body is at rest. Since physical activity requires more frequent refueling, more muscle mass may be lost if an individual remain active while water fasting. After all, its simpler to get a quick glucose hit from breaking down muscle than the more complicated chemical process of creating ketones from body fat.
If you are willing and able to become virtually bedfast for a period of time, meaning no exercise or workouts, you could probably do an extended fast with minimal muscle wasting. However, if you have to remain active like most of us; then you are probably not a good candidate for an extended fast. You might want to consider one day a week fasts, or three days a month. This way you can reap many of the cleansing benefits of fasting without risking your muscles.
Another interesting thing I've learned is that total water only fasting is less likely to cause muscle wasting than juice fasts or any other fast where carbohydrates are consumed (like the Master Cleanse). When carbs are ingested, ketosis never sets in. When the body requires extra fuel, it pulls it from the easiest available source, first the glycogen from the liver, then the muscles.
True fasting involves very complex chemical reactions in the body. It is not as simple as just not eating and quickly losing weight. The human body is designed to be able to go without food for long periods of time. Thus the human race has been able to survive countless famines throughout history. However, to compensate for the lack of food several things happen. First of all, the metabolism slows down a great deal. Then natural fuel stores are utilized from the liver, then from body fat (ketosis), then from muscle mass, then from organ wasting. When muscle mass loss and organ wasting occurs this is no longer fasting, but starvation. The skeletal pictures of young women in the final stages of anorexia are example of deliberate starvation.
I would recommend you buy the book "The Miracle Of Fasting" by Paul Bragg, he was an athlete as well as a Naturopathic doctor and fasting expert. I'm sure you will gain a lot of knowledge and insight from this book that will help you make the right choices concerning fasting. Tweet