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5-7 Day Water Fast

How much muscle can I expect to lose during a 5-7 day water fast? I work out 3-4 times a week (lifting) but really want to do a cleanse for my body and spirit. I’ve tried researching how much muscle I should expect to lose but haven’t had any luck or any information on my specific case.

Any insights would be nice!! Thanks.

Stats: 5’3 female 120lbs 22 years old

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Answer

Muscle loss is more of a calorie restriction thing (dieting). Counterintuitively enough fasting is not a form of caloric restriction, as far as your body being fueled is concerned; your body just switches to ketosis, drawing energy from fat.

After 4 days your Human Growth hormone levels shoots up around 400% which protects muscle mass, while your resting metabolic rate goes up by 15%.

Answer

You won’t lose muscle on 5-7 day fast. Every “study” I’ve ever seen that mentions “losing muscle” on a fast really measures only “lean mass” and “fat mass”. Fat mass is fat. Lean mass is everything else, which includes water weight. Total nonsense. Go ahead and fast. Your muscles will be fine.

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