Comments on: Water Fasting Benefits, Dangers & My Personal Experience

By: Jamie Larrison

Jamie Larrison — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 21:46:58 +0000

In reply to Darla.

Katie talked more about her latest fasting experience here. Fasting isn’t the best option for everyone, especially those with certain medical issues so it may be that your body isn’t ready for it yet. It’s best to work with a natural health practitioner who can give you individualized advice here! https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3OTk1OTc1NDI0NDAzNzk2?story_media_id=3270809180029195867&igsh=MXV5dGJhZTM3dGM5

By: Jamie Larrison

Jamie Larrison — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 05:19:33 +0000

In reply to Talia Gonzalez.

Katie documented her fast on Instagram and discussed some of these things there. https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17995975424403796/

By: Talia Gonzalez

Talia Gonzalez — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 23:16:06 +0000

Hi katie,
Can you discuss exercise during water fasting, is walking ok? Also, did you lose any muscle during the fasting, how were your lifts post fast??

Thanks 🙂

By: Mary Uhlir

Mary Uhlir — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 14:23:03 +0000

This comment comes years after you wrote this, so going you might still reply. I just finished a fasting mimicking diet. You said you’ve done this as well over the years. Can you speak to the differences you experienced between the two? I have not done a water only fast.

By: Val Clark

Val Clark — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 18:54:56 +0000

I had been pregnant or nursing almost non-stop for the last 17 years. I thought I had weaned my last child, so I was eager to start water only fasting again. I did a 7 day fast, then 2 months later I was doing a 10 day fast and discovered I was pregnant! I definitely don’t recommend fasting while pregnant, but if we look at other cultures, people in the poorest countries carry babies and give birth having only a fraction of the nutrition that we have access to. I was really concerned about harm to my baby, but everything turned out fine.

By: Darla

Darla — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 02:54:27 +0000

Hi Katie!
I’m on day 5 of hopefully a 7 day water fast (actually I had aprox 3/4 c of bone broth last night because I was just so tired, hungry etc.) but back to it today because I really want to complete a 7 day fast (I realize that technically I’m not but I’m close). I’ve been reading LOTS of articles, watching Youtube videos, listened to some of your podcasts, etc. Prior to starting this fast I’ve done a series of 48 hour fasts for the past 3 weeks. I’m pretty much at a weight that I’m okay with – at the start of this fast I was 120-124 – I fluctuate alot from morning to night (I’m 5’2″, but in my late 60s). Unfortunately I have not experienced the brain clarity nor surge of energy that a alot of people (including you seem to experience) I’M HUNGRY AND TIRED AND LETHARGIC!!! But I’m determined to carry on. I have a few things in common with you i.e. Hashimotos, and I’m doing this more for the autophagy than anything else, and it would seem I’m acheiving that – my BP is way down!!! Hopefully it will stay down – fingers crossed. I’m wondering if my starting weight might have something to do with why I’m so tired. Also, you stated in your post about your experience that you planned to do more 7 day fasts. Have you? Can you do an update for us? Thanks so much

By: Jamie Larrison

Jamie Larrison — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 15:20:30 +0000

In reply to Demetra. Since we aren't qualified to give personalized medical advice, that would be a good question for your healthcare provider :)

By: Demetra

Demetra — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 01:01:13 +0000

You said those who have diabetes should not do the water fast with about prediabetes and anemia.I would like to try doing a water fast.

By: Joy

Joy — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 19:22:11 +0000

Hi Katie,
I have been researching alternative therapies, foods, etc for my fam for years, but never was bold enough to take it to a blog. I was very pleasantly surprised to find your wonderful blog and have tons of respect for it.
I would like to make a suggestion for the above article. It’s one of those things that should be obvious, but I missed it. (Indeed, it may be there, but I missed it if it is.)
Please advise that there should be NO exercising during a water fast as it destroys muscle tissue. This is my first water fast, and I learned it the hard way. My fault for not doing more research.
Also, should the bone broth be salt-free? I have read elsewhere that a very salty dish is a big no when refeeding.
TIA
Joy

By: Katie Wells

Katie Wells — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 15:28:50 +0000

In reply to Rosemary. That can be tough, but you just get used to it, or if you have older kids, they can help with the cooking too...

By: Maxeen

Maxeen — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 21:13:08 +0000

In reply to Jak. How did the vision clear up and how often and long do you fast

By: Rosemary

Rosemary — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 18:28:44 +0000

Thanks for this great article. I was wondering if you would be willing to expand it to talk about how you managed to feed your kids while fasting. This has been the big thing holding me back–cooking 3 meals a day for my kids while fasting completely? That sounds really challenging. I would love the addition of some tips or your experiences with how this was for you. Thanks!

By: Katie Wells

Katie Wells — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 17:47:17 +0000

In reply to Giuseppina Bower. No I did not...

By: Giuseppina Bower

Giuseppina Bower — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 06:10:53 +0000

In reply to Iris.

Katie,
Question for you … a few months after your week long fast, did you experience telogen effluvium? Or any kind of greater than normal hair loss? if not, how did you prevent it?
I had great experiences water fasting but my fear with attempting it again is losing my hair again. Any experience with this?
Thanks!

By: Tom Winnicki

Tom Winnicki — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 02:34:57 +0000

Just wrapping up my 7+ days water-only fast. Broke my 5+ days record from 2018. Blast!!! I didn’t know you could add some Himalayan salt to the water… next year.

From what I read on this site and others, I had similar experiences. Days 1 and 2 are the hardest. You have to ‘fight’ with your stomach brain (it has few hundred million neurons), ‘telling’ it that it won’t be getting any food for several days and not to send you any hunger signals or you’ll both suffer. By day 3 you stop feeling hunger. It’s good not to be around tasty food where you can smell it and see people eat. One effect I’ve noticed, and another fellow reported this too after his fast, the pressure behind my eyes lowered. Not yet sure what that means. Will need to do more research. Better not to undertake any strenuous activity as it will tire the body very quick. It takes a lot longer for the body to convert fat reserves into energy. So if one’s job requires a lot of physical activity, it’s better to do the fast while on a holiday.

Last year (2018) I ended the fast without easing in. If I recall correct, I had 6 soft-boiled eggs, bread with lots of butter and seasoned salt (which tasted better than usual). It was a bit hard on the stomach, had some cramping, but otherwise I was fine. Also, this year (2019) I did not ease into the fast. I stuffed myself pretty full at noon last Saturday. Will start easing in on Sunday morning.

Plan to do 10 days next year.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 10:57:01 +0000

would this have any effect on people who take prescription medications?

Can you add a slice of lemon in the water?

By: Byran

Byran — Sat, 14 Sep 2019 13:34:01 +0000

Thank you for the great information! I’ve found water fasts to be extremely beneficial for my health as well, but I have always been curious about the impact on my microbiome. Do you happen to have the results of your viome tests (pre/post)?

From my understanding, during the process of autophagy the microbiome still receives nutrition through the breakdown of old cells and less resilient microbes (really good!). And there seems to be a lot of evidence that prolonged fasts can reduce immune reactions and food allergies through the same mechanisms.

But sometimes I’ve found that I have a decreased ability to process fruits/vegetables and I am curious to see if the fiber fermenters (generally firmicutes) goes down, because the lack of fiber during the period. Did you notice a change in your microbiome function or ability to process foods?

Thanks again for sharing and documenting such great information!

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 15:29:16 +0000

Hi Katie, in your opinion, would it be ok to add in an electrolyte packet (like Elemental Labs) each day of the water fast, rather than sea salt, or would you just stick to the sea salt?

By: Katie Wells

Katie Wells — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 09:12:42 +0000

In reply to K.B. I continued to take them, but talk to your doctor to see what he/she recommends...

By: K.B

K.B — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 12:25:26 +0000

I have Hashimito’s as well. Did you continue to take your meds for the duration of your fast? I’m starting my water fast today, but I don’t feel like I should stop. Just curious what you chose to do. Thank you