Just wanted to note that your reaction may not have been to the fast... but to the subsequent inclusion of a food that your system reacted to. If reactions are not noted and the diet changed, the body will sometimes change the mode of 'communication' by changing the symptom. The person will assume that the 'missing' symptom means they got better when, possibly, the symptoms may have just 'evolved' into something else.

When doing a fast and then adding foods back in, a journal should be kept. That way, if the same symptom follows a second or third fast, then you can look at what foods were added in before the symptom appeared.

I do absolutely agree that one should 'take it easy' during fasting though. This means that I don't think the body should be hugely stressed with big workouts or running. It should be a time of calmness for the 'whole system'.

This does not mean lying in bed the whole time. It means working quietly, reading quietly, moving slowly but with purpose. It is highly beneficial to do a slow moving form of exercise during this time (yoga, tai chi, etc.).

Also beneficial are epsom salt baths.

I have found, using this technique that fasts have become a fundamental way of life.

This is not to say that I haven't done fasts the other way (just going back to a regular diet immediately). It was those times that I did not benefit very well from the fasts, which is why I know what I know now.

All the mistakes I've made still count for something!

Kind regards,
KimS

After a fast, food should be added back in very slowly, one at a time (about 8 hours apart). People often seem to just return to their regular every day diet after that and then suffer for it and blame the fast.

I read through the article and the link to the "study", which was 3 doctors trying intermittent fasting and reporting on their observations. I remain respectfully skeptical until I see some real research on humans with lab work to back it up. I felt great after my fasts too. It was weeks later when the depletions seriously affected my back muscles. I'm not someone who needs to lose weight, so doing it for that reason wouldn't help me either.

BTW, Ramadan is a period of 40 days of fasting for Muslims. They fast from sun up to sun down, no food, no water, no smoking, no sex. From sun up to sun down, a Muslim would not be able to take anything in their body. I lived in a country that observed Ramadan and most of the people were Muslim. It's pretty intense. I tried it for a few days to try to show my support, but as I was living in a hot, dry, African country, I drank water during the day. Some people made fun of me because of that, so I decided it wasn't worth it. The worst part was watching pregnant women do the fasting, even though they were exempt through the Koran. They did it because they felt pressured to do so. Then, they wondered by their babies were born so small. I didn't think it was a particularly healthy thing for anyone.

Claire

A few other interesting articles about IF:
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20030607/food.asp

http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...30211072836.htm
http://lansbury.bwh.harvard.edu/ad_reviews_2003.htm

I'm not a lab rat, although I do play one on TV. But the calorie restriction response seems to work regardless of species. Traditional CR always seemed too difficult to me, but delaying eating until dinner time every other day, I think I can do that.

I'm experimenting on myself hoping I can help other people with AS. I know that AS patients often use longer fasts to get out of a flare. I tried one, it was very tough, although it did seem to help my symptoms for awhile.

"intermittent fasting reduces blood pressure [and] reduces heart rate similar to what's seen with regular exercise."

Hmmm - will this get me out of exercising? Maybe intermittent fasting would be easier. I hate exercise just for the sake of exercise.
Anne

I see you think like I do!

Actually, I noticed my swimming went much better this weekend. I don't swim much and I'd do a length, have to rest, do another. This time I was actually able to do a few before having to rest. And my breathing was amazing. I felt like I could cover 1/3 the pool before having to breathe.

I'm also sleeping really well, which is always iffy for me. It might not be related since I just go through phases with that anyway.

A collection of links about IF: http://www.connotea.org/tag/intermittent_fasting

Most of the time they just stay up all night eating and then go to work to sleep the next day... accidents go through the roof as people fall asleep at the wheel and tempers flare....

I don't think fasting is very good but Ive gone 2-3 days frequently in Ramadan and then some idiot tells me he hasn't eaten since 5AM.... poor idiot... I haven't eaten since 5AM either... 5AM YESTERDAY but I'm not walking round complaining and going to the toilet to sneak a cigarette am I?

I'm on my 4th 24 hour fast. It really isn't a big deal at this point. So I miss 2 meals every other day. *shrug* I feel good and my blood pressure has dropped a bit, which is one of the signs that CR is kicking in. Another week and other CR benefits might kick in.

I'm on my thrid week of this. Feeling quite good. My bad gastro symptoms and neurological issues have subsided almost completely. The "one meal days" aren't all that difficult any longer. Any hunger I have is easy to ignore and I feel rather sharper on fasting days.

A number of the other folks doing this have had some very spectacular drops in the blood glucose, from elevated numbers to going closer to normal.

I thought it was "old ladies lose appetite" diet?

Over the last year, I have had no desire to eat sometimes (how strange is that?)

And I have lost a small amount of weight, but also have seen much fewer
allergies needing the dreaded Claritin.

So have I been intermittently fasting? skipping meals, not feeling hungry some days, drinking extra water, and having a small snack at bedtime?
My husband thinks I am going nuts... he is nagging me.

Can I now say I am "intermittently fasting"? I have never fasted 24 hrs or more (unless ILL)... but I often only have two modest meals a day and skip dinner.
I feel better when I skip dinner! And it is easier in the summer BTW.

I am going to look into this!