Background: I’m relatively new to fasting, though I’ve done my fair share of IF and OMAD. I planned a short 48 fast to end tomorrow evening. Over the weekend, I was exposed to Covid and have come down with a sore throat. I’m hoping it’s just allergies or a cold, but the way things are going these days I don’t have my hopes set to high.
My question: Though I’m a healthy young-ish person (not overweight, somewhat athletic), is there reason to think that a relatively short fast might compromise my immune system enough that it would be prudent to break my fast until I’m certain I’m healthy again?
No, don’t fast. Covid can be a serious illness, and it is not known how can affect fasting to the recovery. I had Covid recently and I felt very tired and without energy for many days. Plus, with the sore throat it was a struggle to eat at some point. It is much better to be safer and stop instead of risk in order to do a 48h fast, that you can do at any other moment.Even if you stop now the fast and it is not Covid, you can start again in a few days..
In the same boat and while there is not much scientific research on the topic, what little I could find is that when it’s specifically virus’ that the body is fighting you do need food/carbs to fight it. I would say listen to your body and eat when you’re hungry or stick to basic IF. Starting an extended fast could possibly put too much stress in your system and again there is no research to show any benefit.