To ask your opinion on 24 hour fasting

[MrsClayneCrawford]

I do this about once a month. I'll eat my last meal Sunday evening and then I won't eat again until breakfast on Tuesday morning. On the Monday I will just drink lots of water.

I do this because it makes my body feel better especially if I have over indulged. However, I've now realised that I do it to also help manage my stress. If I am stressed about an upcoming event I will fast the week before and somehow it helps me feel less anxious.

I mentioned my occasional fasting to my mum & brother who didn't like the thought of me "starving myself". Is not eating for 24 hours just to give myself a physical/mental detox such a bad thing?

Does anyone else fast? What are your opinions?

It’s not the fasting but the reasons behind your fasting that seem to be a problem. You do it to gain control and that, sorry to say, sounds like how a lot of eating disorders begin. Strongly suggest you talk to a GP.

If you fast or have long periods of hunger than your body enters survival mode more and doesn’t burn fat etc properly...I think you need to speak to a doctor or councilor about you connection between fasting and anexiety there maybe a deeper issue or the fasting could end up spiraling into or is a eating disorder.

I second what @Cherries101 says OP - the feel good factor you get from doing this is likely to be a kickback from gaining or exerting control. There is no such thing as detoxing your body or mind - the body naturally detoxes as part of basic functioning.
Perhaps the increase in water consumption is the reason you feel better doing this after a heavy weekend? An increase in hydration levels have the same results as you mention here.

I read that fasting for a day or two can apparently reboot your immune system in a good way. Will look for link.

On a side note, I intermittent fast and eat a small breakfast and then nothing until supper. It allows me to still pig out but stay within my calories (eating close to 2000 for dinner feels more than enough!).

I used to do this, every couple of weeks or so. IIRC the good feeling is from chemicals released due to gut bacteria dying.
I felt better physically and mentally. It was a period of my life where I wasn't really stressed - uni and then a couple of years of travelling - but I imagine it could be advantageous for stress levels too.

It's something practiced alongside yoga and meditation. I remember at the time there was a lot of talk about all the good it does for your body - though medical opinions seem to change pretty quickly so maybe it's no longer promoted.

As long as you are generally healthy and happy I don't see any problem with it - really unsure why pps are recommending counselling.

Is there science behind this? I might try it if so.

There's loads of science behind intermittent fasting. None of it is sufficient to decide a particular way, however very, very few studies or observations have a distinct negative of the fasting (although note the first reply)

There are various possible mechanisms that could improve health from fasting.

Ok, actually takes a few days but still interesting.

ideapod.com/study-finds-fasting-72-hours-can-regenerate-entire-immune-system/

Thankyou for all your replies. I can kinda see where you are all coming from.

I did suffer with an eating disorder in my late teens/early twenties & now at 38 I suffer with OCD & anxiety so can see how it could all be connected.

However, the rest of the time I eat sensibly & exercise so I don't see not eating for 24 hours as a big deal. I did watch a programme ages ago that did some research on fasting & it said it was good for your digestive system.

I do agree I shouldn't use fasting to control my anxiety. I'll work on that.

There's lots of science behind fasting, I have no issues with it at all and routinely intermittent fast most days.

I will probably incorporate a 24-36 hour fast combined with meditation and rest toward the end of the year, to induce autophagy and cellular clean out.

But be mindful of your reasons for fasting, as "control" alone can be unhealthy.

Sorry, cross posted