Hey there everyone - I’m so glad we have a space here! I have so many questions - I’ll start with supplements - is it ok to take them while fasting? There are a few I take that help me with energy and I’d be afraid to not take them. TIA
ETA - I believe I’m subclinical hypothyroid since menopause. . . hence the supplements.
I haven’t seen anything against vitamin supplementation while fasting before, but let’s see what others weigh in on this!
Out of curiosity, what type of supplements are they? I sometimes use the emergen-c electrolyte mix that also contains some other minerals, and every once in a while I use an “airborne” tablet for a vitamin C fix (and there are other vitamins as well).
:)
Hi there - fellow hypothyroid sufferer here. YMMV depending on your personal needs and health goals, but here’s me:
I continue all doctor-prescribed meds and supplements so for me that includes the synthetic thyroid hormone replacement, birth control, vitamin D, occassional laxative and my mental health drugs. I believe the only one that requires careful consideration and oversight before continuing is insulin (for possibly obvious reasons). I’ve spent years finding the right dose for these things so I can tell when it’s “too much” - particularly the antidepressants and thyroid meds, so if I start feeling those side effects I skip a day between doses.
As for OTC, I take a probiotic, magnesium, potassium and melatonin, but I skip the multivitamin and other vitamins that say “take with food” because they give me terrible nausea and stomach pain. I also take salt when I feel weak or get a headache and recently added apple cider vinegar to my tea (sounds gross but I love it) to deal with hunger pangs.
These things I take daily and without incident - meaning I still reap the benefits of a water fast, still enter ketosis, didn’t have any negative side effects and was not uncomfortable or sick taking these things during a fast.
I recently added biotin and CoQ10 so I don’t know if they will affect my fasts yet. I also stay away from gummies, gelcaps or anything with calories to the best of my ability, and no OTC pain meds (not sure if true or not but I’ve read that on an empty stomach it can be pretty rough on your stomach lining, liver and kidneys).