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Mar 13

New Study Explores the Effects of Water Fasting for 7 Days – Men’s Health UK

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The research involved 12 volunteers, five women and seven men, and were told to consume just water for seven days. The investigation involved a comprehensive analysis of around 3000 plasma proteins measured before, during, and after fasting.

After three days of fasting, the researchers noticed that the body changed its energy sources from glucose to fat, resulting in an average weight loss between participants of 5.7 kg. This weight loss came from fat mass and muscle mass. During the follow up, after three days of returning to their normal eating patterns, the loss of muscle was almost completely reversed while the fat mass didn't return.

The researchers also noticed differences between certain proteins made within the body, which they believe can help them find and diagnose specific diseases and conditions.

The researchers assessed the health effects of 212 proteins altering during fasting across roughly 500 outcomes and sought to understand how these alterations in these specific proteins during fasting might relate to different conditions.

For example, they highlighted the connection between a protein called SWAP70 and arthritis, suggesting that the changes in this protein during extended fasting could potentially be beneficial for those with arthritis. They also identified an association between another protein, HYOU1, and heart disease, indicating that changes in this protein might have potential positive implications for heart health.

This is one of only a few studies that has found a positive correlation between water fasting and its ability to inform targeted health interventions.

'For the first time, were able to see whats happening on a molecular level across the body when we fast,' said Claudia Langenberg, director of Queen Mary's Precision Health University Research Institute (PHURI). ' Fasting, when done safely, is an effective weight loss intervention. Popular diets that incorporate fasting such as intermittent fasting claim to have health benefits beyond weight loss. Our results provide evidence for the health benefits of fasting beyond weight loss, but these were only visible after three days of total caloric restriction later than we previously thought.'

'Our findings have provided a basis for some age-old knowledge as to why fasting is used for certain conditions,' added Maik Pietzner, Health Data Chair of PHURI. 'While fasting may be beneficial for treating some conditions, often times, fasting won't be an option to patients suffering from ill health. We hope that these findings can provide information about why fasting is beneficial in certain cases, which can then be used to develop treatments that patients are able to do.'

Fasting is a contentious issues, and we don't endorse fasting for seven days. For most people, fasting for such an extended period is impractical, especially for those aiming to lose weight, as it's not sustainable to go without food for that length of time

Extended water fasts also carry risks and should be done only under professional supervision. Many individuals may find interventions such as intermittent fasting or shorter fasting methods more sustainable and a lot safer in comparison to extended fasts.

It's also important to note that this study only saw health benefits after three days of no food.

New research such as this study could help us find out more about how extended fasting impacts the body beyond weight loss, which is still unclear. But water fasting requires further investigation. For now, it's important to adjust your diet under supervision of a nutritionist or dietician so that you can ensure the safety of your health.

Kate is a fitness writer for Mens Health UK where she contributes regular workouts, training tips and nutrition guides. She has a post graduate diploma in Sports Performance Nutrition and before joining Mens Health she was a nutritionist, fitness writer and personal trainer with over 5k hours coaching on the gym floor. Kate has a keen interest in volunteering for animal shelters and when she isnt lifting weights in her garden, she can be found walking her rescue dog.

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New Study Explores the Effects of Water Fasting for 7 Days - Men's Health UK

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