What to have on hand for my first water-only fast?

I'm just doing a 5-day fast. I thought that if you're healthy, you can almost always do a 5-day fast safely from home on nothing but water (zero other supplements). What can happen that would signal danger? What would those dangers be? Can you not just ride them out? For example if I'm feeling light headed, I've read that taking some electrolytes is often recommended. What if I didn't? I've heard this is just something you need to constantly be aware of. Don't get up quickly, and work your legs to get blood flowing. I've even heard to just avoid showering for danger of standing in place for too long (if you must shower, march in place :) For longer fasts I know there can be more complications. But really shouldn't a 5-day be safe pretty much no matter what if I don't do anything strenuous? In addition to salt, I've heard that for nausea (caused by bile getting into the stomach), carbonated water can be helpful.

Answer

You absolutely need to supplement during a fast. Electrolytes are vital for maintaining your blood solute concentration, and during the fast you’re going to release a lot of water out of your body very quickly. You will be putting yourself in danger if you drink nothing but water for five days.

Take it from me - I ended my fast after 4 days because I woke up with a heart BPM of 134. At rest. I wasn’t properly educated about supplementing with sodium, magnesium, calcium, etc. and thought that small amounts of table salt every so often was fine.

The tachycardia experience scared the shit out of me and I will be starting a projected 21-day fast on Sunday with proper supplementation on hand. Please don’t make my same mistake - supplement!

Answer

Sodium in salt will help with keeping water in your body, which increases your blood volume so you don’t get lightheaded it tachycardia. (Heart had to pump faster when it is moving a smaller volume of blood). Magnesium helps with bowel issues and temperature control and potassium staves of muscle cramps. You could just endure these issues, for the most part, but you don’t have to. These supplements don’t break your fast, they simply make it easier to get through it. Caution with the potassium, you can take too much and mess up your heart. I stick with a low dose pill or a few teaspoons of the lo salt.