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5 days into fasting, cold hands and hands

Hello everyone. Been doing OMAD for 3 months. Prior to the current fast, the longest fast I've done was 2 days long. The last meal was last week Tuesday so today it's been 5 and half days that I am fasting. I take a few vitamins and take electrolytes daily + ashwagandha and that's about it. Noticed for the past few days my legs and hands feel cold. I am sitting at the office working and I am getting cold. When I walk for some time I don't feel cold anymore. However, if I am at home just doing something or trying to fall asleep or at work both my hands and feet are cold. This is quite new to me. Lost 35 kg in the last 3 months, it's getting cold outside where I am as well. I think this might be partially a reason but wonder if fasting could have something to do with it. Planning to fast till this Saturday or possibly longer, considering doing a month if I continue feeling great. As far as the energy and my mental wellbeing I am amazing, haven't felt so good in years so I would like to stick with this fast. Did someone experience this issue as well, if so what was the solution? I am thinking I might be missing some vitamins probably.

Answer

I haven’t experienced this because I haven’t done an extended fast like that, but when your body is at rest, it’s trying to conserve energy because it’s not getting any/much. That’s why your extremities feel cold - they’re literally not getting the same circulation. I don’t think any vitamins will fix this.

I’m glad that you’re feeling great and congrats on the weightloss, but please be careful! Messing with your body’s circulation is no joke.

Answer

I get cold extremities too. Think this is a common symptom when extended fasting. There are no reputable journal articles that I could find that pinpoints the cause but it’s common enough that I’m not too worried about it.

Answer

I’m surprised it took you five days to feel this - I sometimes get it on day 1 of a ‘pure(ish)’ fast i.e. no calories at all beyond the trace amounts in black coffee.

Only real solution is warming yourself up through hot drinks, warm clothes and heating the house.

Alternatively, I didn’t have the issue when I was trying a fat fast (by which I mean actually fat only - I used light olive oil). I got similar results to a proper fast with a lot less discomfort, but I know it’s not always a popular option.