Hi,


Next week I'm aiming for a 3 day to week long water fast. I feel junked up and out of balance because of fruit overeating. My candida has gone bananas!

Anyway . . my question is . . have you ever gone into ketosis while water fasting? I tried a two day fast and went into ketosis the second day (strangely). I have a very fast metabolism and at that point was very athletic and slim. I also wasn't eating that much at the time.

Do you think that its ok to continue water fasting while in ketosis? I'm wondering if the high levels of ketones would prevent the cleansing that happens during a fast. What do you think?

By the way I'm writing about ketosis that you detect by a smell of acetone on your breath, not ketoACIDosis - a long term ketosis of undiagnosed diabetes.


Thanks for reading this!


Skye,

x x x

P.S. I'm selling my copy of Eating for Beauty half price, perfect condition. PM for details

Hi SkyBlue. Good question, I am also interested in the science of fasting (most books on it seem a bit too spirtualy focused in nature).

By the way, you can also advertise your book here : [rawlovers.com]

If you are fasting you will go into ketosis.. it's a side effect of burning fat for energy (since you are not eating). Sugar based stores run out quickly.

I agree with thehulaqueen.

Dr. Joel Fuhrman, MD is considered a leader in therapeutic fasting, and in fact was inspired to enter medical school after his own 46 day fast at Dr. Shelton's Health School.

According to Dr. Fuhrman, in his book, FASTING AND EATING FOR HEALTH, "Ketosis develops within 48 hours in fasting females and 72 hours in males....As the level of ketones rises in the bloodstream they compete with glucose as a substance that can be used for energy in the central nervous system, thereby greatly diminishing the body's need for glucose, sparing protein, and preventing further acidosis caused by tissue catabolism. Through this inherent survival mechanism, the brain, muscle, and heart begin to use ketones instead of glucose as fuel. This is known as PROTEIN SPARING. In this phase, muscle is conserved and the maximum breakdown of fatty tissue and removal of atheromas and toxins occur."

In other words, ketosis is a normal and healthy function of fasting, and removal of toxins does occur during ketosis.

Regarding diabetic ketosis, he goes on to say, "...ketosis in the fasting individual differs from that in diabetics. In uncontrolled diabetics, the levels of ketones produced reaches such high levels that the acid/base balance may be overwhelmed. In the fasting individual, the body maintains control of the levels of ketones produced as a fuel source."

As a precaution, for people who haven't fasted much before, I feel I should mention that Dr. Fuhrman also says that some people can't fast. He says, "...some people have an enzyme defect call MCAD (medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase) deficiency, and it would be unsafe for these individuals to fast....Even though this condition is exceedingly rare, respiratory failure, extreme weakness, seizures, coma, or death may ensue if the individual continues with a prolonged fast....I do not recommend fasting for patients with laboratory findings of significant liver or kidney disease. Extremely weak and debilitated patients generally should not fast. Nor should patients with severe anemia, severe nutritional deficiency states, porphyria, or pregnancy. Patients who are severely malnourished, such as those with advance stages of cancer or AIDS, should not fast..."

Just thought I'd print that scary stuff cause you never know who might be reading this, and someone out there might try to fast when they shouldn't.

Best wishes to you SkyeBlue, -Ally



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 09/09/2006 09:32PM by Ally.

SkyeBlue,

I have gone into ketosis before, but only knew so because of the remarks others had on my scent. Especially that of my father who is a chemist, having dealt with ketones.

Otherwise, I do not think I would have ever known that my body entered this stage of metablolism. How were you able to recognize that your body began ketosis?

much luck

What do ketones smell like?

Your breath smells fruity....You can buy Ketoxis at CVS or any drugstore to see if yiu've entered ketosis

VeganLife,

I was told by many that it's a very sweet smell. My husban put it as "Why do you have that sweet smell all the time?"

It may sound endearing only he was literal and serious, it's a "sweet" oder that seems to come from the breath predominantly.