Hi! So I found this thread and study: https://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/1152dnv/insulin_resistance_after_a_3day_fast_is/ that seems to say 3 days fasting+ have a negative effect on insulin, reduces insulin sensitivity and increases insulin resistance . First time I heard that, any insights?
Not seeking medical advice, just want to discuss this in general.
If it turns out that extended fasting is bad for overall insulin resistance, it would make sense then for smaller fasts to be common and then to use longer ones less often. That seems like a recommended protocol anyway. I am working my way toward the following: OMAD (over 2 hrs since I have a ton of calories to get in), then maybe a longer 72-100 hr fast twice a month.
Very interesting. I hope someone can shed some more light on this as I am keen to know if it’s true or not. I do rolling 72’s mostly. I have noticed the weight pile on during my refeed and come off slower during my fasts so this could explain it. Who knows. There’s so much conflicting info out there and makes it difficult to know what’s what but I appreciate you posting this. ✌️
I have done multiple 3 days fasts and it has only lowered my insulin and kept my insulin down. It’s only helped my reverse my insulin sensitivity. I still real the benefits. I would want to know more about this study because studies can be manipulated.
Ok, non scientific answer here, but the deal is, when you switch to ketosis, your muscles become very insulin resistant in order to save glycogen for your brain. You have very little glycogen available, and your brain wants all of it. It’s a very temporary thing, but this is why people on keto will eat some carbs for a day or two before doing a glucose challenge test. My understanding is that fasting and keto do improve insulin sensitivity quite a bit (probably from weight loss).
This is also the argument that the some people use against fasting and keto. Insulin resistance is basically the definition of diabetes. What’s the fastest way to induce insulin resistance? Fast for 3 days! You would have to be a moron to do that, right?!
This study really needed follow up insulin sensitivity tests as it seems quite normal for the body to show insulin resistance for a massive bolus of glucose for the glucose tolerance test after a 3 day fast. The initial glucose tolerance test after a 3 day fast when your body is slowly switching over to fat metabolism usually shows some level of insulin resistance but subsequent tests over the next few weeks to months would be needed to show if a 3 day fast really increased your insulin resistance in the long term. Poor study design imo.