So I want to point out that I am from India and the typical brands of electrolytes have dextrose or some other sugars and are not zero calorie. Also I request for some guidance if I need to take any supplements during the fast?
I don’t have any medical illness except the fact that I’m freaking fat (127kgs). I have fasted for 4-5 days a few times before and have lost a lot of fat. I am thinking of doing a longer fast ( starting with a 7 day fast). Please let me know if I should do anything except having water?
The brand that I’ve heard about (LMNT) is expensive here and i don’t think I have that on a regular basis during the fast.
Any advice is appreciated!
Hi! Check out this channel, he talks extensively about fasting:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SnakeDiet
Definitely mix up electrolytes for yourself, everything else like herbs is optional. A standard recipe for an electrolyte mixture is:
In 2 liters of water:
Potassium chloride (1 tsp)
Sodium bicarbonate from aluminum-free baking soda (1 tsp)
Sodium chloride from Himalayan pink salt (0.5 tsp)
Magnesium sulphate from Epson salt (0.5 tsp)
You can buy all of these separate and mix them together which will be much cheaper than buying a pre-mixed bag. If you buy pre-mixed make sure there is no dextrose in there or you will experience less deeps states of ketosis.
For 7 days, unless there are specific reasons for you personally, electrolytes are not necessary. The only caveat might be the temperatures in India, depending on where you are, and how that affects your needs and losses.
However, generally, 7 days is too short for an other wise healthy person to have problems. In fact, unhealthy middle aged and older men have fasted much longer under medical supervision without them, one going 102 days.
Losing weight really isn’t the best use for fasting. You are likely to put the weight back on, although it may change your fat deposit location.
Better to go for ADF and eat one day of as healthy food as possible for you at 500 calories and the next day to eat as much as you like. Then you repeat this long term. It’s specifically for people who struggle to lose weight and keep it off.
However, if you have the discipline to do a 7 day fast then I’m sure you can just adopt a healthier day to day way of eating. If a fast makes you lose weight then you’ll still have to do that afterwards anyway.
Also 7 days will take a few kgs off net of water weight, at the expense of 7 days without nutrients.
On the other hand, if you fast for health regularly, then you should be eating well outside of those days and consuming an excess of nutrients around that time. This way you gain the benefits and mitigate any long term issues.
There is no reason for electrolyte supplements. The premier fasting clinics in the world that have supervised tens of thousands of fasts don’t give such supplements. Just curious but why did you think you needed supplements?