Active Community: Message List - Fasting and running?

Fasting and running?

guest — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:55:14 GMT

apuramedia- I wrote fairly detailed posts for each day of the fast and two posts about the aftermath. http://michaelselmer.wordpress.com/category/fasting-and-health/

Briefly, all I can say is that it works for me. The negative side-effects were temporary and minor and are detailed in the posts. Although I experienced many benefits, the one that I appreciated the most was the relief I felt from my arthritis in my hands and ankles. It vanished late in the fast and it was several months before I felt any discomfort in my joints as the arthritis returned. It is only now (after 5 months) begininng to return to the previous level of discomfort as before the fast. It seems to me that my body was cleansing the junk out of my system, including my joints. This same relief was experienced when I did a ten-day fast a little over a year ago. I tried a five-day fast (ran through that also) a short time ago and it wasn't long enough to cause much benefit. I plan to continue doing 10-days a couple of times a year. There are studies that indicate regular fasting can extend life span. I'm not interested in doing it if it negatively impacts my quality of life, but I don't feel that it has.

All the negative or doubtful comments have come from people who haven't tried it. I've been unable to find any overall negative comments on the internet from someone who has actually done a long fast. Of course there are discomforts ... even risks ... but for the some people, I think fasting would be very beneficial.

DON'T try it without study first.

Fasting and running?

guest — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 23:34:54 GMT

That's right! I totally agree with you born2run61.

Hey mpsfamily, I understand that there can be useful benefits in fasting, but is it all worth it? To be honest, it's my first time to hear someone tried going on fasting while running. You need food to keep you energized so I don't quite understand how it all works.

How was it? Did you feel any bad side effects? How about the good side of it? Were there any changes/improvements in your skills?

Fasting and running?

guest — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:50:18 GMT

I am in with Jasko123, a Hypoglycemic Runner. So you see why we are partial. When I saw this thread, I surley had to read up. I agree with NOT doing this for a prolonged period of time. I think you could end up doing some major damage to your health. If you are a lean runner and not eating enough or the correct food for your type of workouts, it could deplete your Blood Glucose levels, not pretty. I know 1st hand. Not from fasting but from not eating correctly for so many years around my runs. Fasting and working out is usually for people with more stored body fat , not for leaner people. That is why many trying to loose weight do it first thing in the morning. I would not recommend this if you do not know what you are doing or if you have underlying health conditions.

Fasting and running?

guest — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:34:43 GMT

I certainly agree with the comments about different types of fasting and possible benefits (depending on individual circumstances, situations, risk factors and so on).

It was not my intention to totally disregard the practice on an overall basis. It may be fine for some for a couple of days. In fact, my mother does some sort of 24-hour juice fast every three months or so and she believes that it assists to flush the toxins from her body, so hopefully it is of some assistance to her and others. She is in her late 60's and in great physical condition and can safely utilize short fasting experiments.

My point is that combining running with fasting (for an extended period of time) might be dangerous and certainly would not be recommended for most due to the obvious, potential health complications. I am not closed-minded to the idea on a limited, monitored basis. I am not a candidate for attempting any type of fast because I am severly hypoglycemic and have to utilize strict dietary methods to store more glycogen.

Hope this better clarifies my position. I do understand different diets and nutrition methods may or may not be appropriate based upon personal considerations.

Fasting and running?

guest — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:47:56 GMT

What amazes me is all the naysayers who haven't tried this type of fast, but feel a need to knock it. I've spent a lot of time searching the internet for negative experiences of people who have done longer fasts. I haven't found any. But there are lots of people who say they have experienced numerous positive results--physical, mental and spiritual. My experiences with 10-day and 5-day fasts have been positive and I have felt stronger and had more energy in the weeks after the fast than I did prior to the fast. It seems ridiculous to me for someone to tell ME they don't have any positive benefit. Go ahead and try to convince others ... I know better.

Fasting and running?

guest — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:52:59 GMT

Yes, but there are different types of fasts. I believe the OP's 10 day fast is probably not likey to yield any health benefits, and would agree with your assessment.

However, the short 10pm to noon fasts I perform as well as the ocassional fasted run do yield well documented benefits and cannot possibly be grouped in the same category as the fasts you are refering to.

Fasting and running?

guest — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:33:22 GMT

I am amazed this conversation is still going because it seems the disadvantages (especially with intense exercise) have been well documented. In simple terms, the liver has to use stored glycogen for energy because the body requires this and when we are not consuming enough....our system begins breaking down the reserves from other souces (fatty acids and protein). There are ways to avoid Ketosis, but I personally would not want to take the chance.

I understand some fast for detox or religious purposes, but the side effects are potentially overwhelming to include anemia, a lowered immune system and an endless array of chemical imbalances. Basically, what is true about normal functioning is magnified for increased activity, so runners require additional amino acids, iron, calcium (and other vitamins and minerals). Fasting depletes the body of these nutrients and supplements do not replace food and are not processed in the same manner. Also, many would not even be candidates for fasting due to existing medical conditions or other risk factors. It is a dangerous proposition alone and I cannot imagine combining it with running.

P.S....take note ladies...most of the research indicates that men are far more likely to derive any of the limited advantages from fasting than women.

Fasting and running?

guest — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:09:53 GMT

There are numerous benefits to doing fasted workouts. Most importantly, increased ability to store glycogen and increased ability to oxidize fat: http://www.runningonthewhiteline.com/2012/01/endurance-training-while-in-fasted.html

Fasting and running?

guest — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:59:39 GMT

Glad to hear it went well Michael! I'm in no hurry to try the fast myself, but impressed you followed through.

Fasting and running?

guest — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:18:52 GMT

if you want to run fast, dont fast. you need food if you want the energy to run fast. if you are not focusing on running fast, you could try but it could cause serious health problems