Fasting for Weight Loss and What Else?

Dear Timi,
Throughout history, many cultures and most of the world’s religions have advocated the virtue of fasting – not only for the obvious health benefits of dieting but also for the purpose of detoxification and purification of the body as well as spiritual enlightenment. Your thoughts?

Dear Reader,
Unfortunately, I’m neither a historian nor a theologian. So, let me give you my view on the pros and cons of fasting strictly from a dietitian’s perspective.

The human body needs a sufficient supply of nutrients – carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals – at all times. Fasting simply deprives it of its necessary fuel. Fasting also tricks the body into “fearing” that famine is occurring and the metabolism slows, so the body can survive longer on stored fat and muscle tissue. Against common belief, this is not helpful if your goal is weight loss, since the body burns fewer calories.

In other words, there is no nutritional value to fasting. In fact, prolonged fasting can be quite detrimental, especially for people with diabetes, kidney- or liver problems. Anyone who is considering taking up fasting as part of a weight loss regimen should first consult with a physician or dietitian.

While you’re fasting, your body continues to burn calories, although, depending on your activity level, perhaps at a slower pace. Once your calorie supply is used up, the body has to burn protein stores by breaking down muscle mass. Unfortunately, body fat is not as easily moved out of storage and burned as a calorie source.

Dehydration is another significant risk. Two thirds of our body weight comes from water. Even a 10% loss poses health risks, 20% loss may result in death from dehydration. Without sufficient water supply the body can’t regulate its temperature, absorb and transport nutrients or remove waste and toxins from the cells. In other words, fasting hinders the natural detoxification process instead of promoting it.

If fasting is part of your religious or spiritual belief, you may have little choice but to comply with its requirements. You should, however, make sure that you compensate for the nutritional deprivation with a highly nutritious and balanced diet outside your fasting periods.

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