Dry fasting 3 days: results, schemes, benefits and harms, how many days you can

What is dry fasting?

Dry fasting is a method of cleansing and healing the body by refusing water. You can’t not only drink the liquid, but also come into contact with it. Therefore, before deciding to experiment, you need to prepare and learn the rules for exiting it.

There are two types of dry hunger strike - soft and strict:

A strict form of dry fasting involves complete abstinence from food and any contact with water for a selected period - 12, 24, 48 hours.
The mild form of the hunger strike allows for showering, washing, rinsing the mouth, brushing teeth and other hygiene procedures.

On the one hand, this form of refusing food and liquid seems extremely difficult, but in fact, those who have tried it admit that this method is even more comfortable than fasting on water. Let's consider the features and conditions of therapeutic fasting.

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What happens if you eat too much protein?

Protein-rich foods contain vital amino acids necessary for the synthesis of various enzymes and the formation of muscle mass. Amino acids are necessary for all plants and animals, therefore they are present in all food sources. Plants are able to produce amino acids with the help of sunlight and water, but animals (including humans) can only produce some of them. Therefore, we need to get additional amino acids from food.

You can enjoy all kinds of high quality protein sources. Some of the highest protein foods include meat and poultry, fish, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, soy, nuts and seeds. Leafy green vegetables and dairy products also contain proteins.

Is it possible to eat too much protein? Yes. Practice shows that the daily protein intake should be 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. It turns out that a person who weighs 70 kilograms needs approximately 60 grams of protein per day.

Take a close look at this recommendation and it becomes clear: most of us eat a lot of protein. However, too much protein (more than 2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day over several weeks or months) puts stress on the metabolic system and can damage the kidneys, and you obviously want to live your life with two working kidneys.

Protein shakes are good for building and maintaining muscle mass, especially if you need additional strength support during exercise. However, they may also contain many ingredients that should be avoided. For example, one serving of a shake may contain 15 grams of protein and 10 grams of sugar, which makes it palatable. If you feel like you need a protein shake, choose one that doesn't have any added sugar.

The benefits of dry fasting for women and men

Dry fasting has no fewer advantages than drinking fasting, although the method begins to work much earlier than water fasting, which is why it is becoming increasingly popular. In a short period, by giving up water and food, you can not only get rid of a couple of kilograms, but also completely “reboot” your body. In a stressful situation, he begins to work completely differently. Figuratively speaking, it returns to the original settings.

An important advantage of dry fasting is endogenous water, which is produced due to the breakdown of fat reserves. It is clean and does not require the body to expend energy resources for cleaning, whereas when fasting on water, it has to clean the incoming liquid. The digestive tract uses the saved time to its advantage - it rests and recovers.

During dry fasting, the process of destroying defective cells (autolysis) is activated faster than during water fasting. Also, an acidotic crisis occurs as soon as possible - a turning point in fasting, when the body switches to feeding from internal reserves.

So, let's highlight 6 main benefits of dry fasting :

Cleansing the body is the main benefit, and it occurs at the cellular level, but the intestines are prepared in advance;
The therapeutic effect is achieved due to the intensive production of corticosteroids that have an anti-inflammatory effect;
Swelling goes away, irritation and redness decrease;
Improves and enhances immunity;
Cell regeneration is stimulated;
The skin is renewed and rejuvenated.

Important: dry fasting is not recommended without experience of fasting on water for at least 3 days. It is necessary to make sure that the body is ready for the proposed stress.

Also, before the experiment, it is necessary to study the contraindications and become familiar with the dangers of dry fasting. Perhaps this will make you change your mind and abandon your plan.

Mechanism of action and stages of fasting

Mechanism of action of fasting

As a rule, during classical therapeutic fasting for weight loss, during which you are allowed to drink water, glycogen, which the liver had previously stored “for a rainy day,” is consumed first . Typically, this period lasts about two to three days. Then, muscle tissue and reserves of subcutaneous and internal fat are gradually used, which burn much more slowly. However, as soon as the body switches to fat burning mode, a person begins to rapidly get rid of subcutaneous fat. Thus, on the first day it is possible to lose up to three kilograms (water, glycogen, muscle tissue, fat), then up to half a kilogram of weight, most of which is lipids.

In the process of using up fat reserves, the body also gets rid of accumulated toxins. In addition, the weakest - diseased cells, which can be part of neoplasms, inflamed tissues and tumors, die and are destroyed. The liver and other organs, in turn, undergo a self-cleaning procedure.

Proper preparation for dry fasting is important!

Dry fasting is not a standard diet. It has significant differences even before the classic fast on water and other liquids. In order for the experiment to be successful and have a positive result, and also not to create discomfort, stress on the body and other unpleasant sensations, it is necessary to perform a number of preparatory measures. This:

Fasting days;
Preliminary fasting on water;
Purgation.

Before any fasting, it is important to spend 1-3 fasting days . The duration depends on how long you intend to comply with Prohibition. The idea of fasting days is to exclude heavy protein foods in the form of dairy products, meat, and eggs from the diet. It is also necessary to reduce the consumption of easily digestible carbohydrates, leaving predominantly fiber in the diet.

Fasting days are best done on fresh vegetables.

After the unloading has been successfully completed, it is recommended to start with wet fasting . This is an easier form of food refusal, which will help you understand whether you are capable of such experiments.

Several times, with a break of 1-2 weeks, do a fast on vegetables (cucumbers, for example) and a drinking fast (daily or for 24 hours), and then prepare for a dry fast by again choosing a fasting day.

Emptying your bowels before dry fasting is an important point. If you cannot induce bowel movement naturally, you can use an enema by choosing suitable products for this.

Exit

Breaking out of fasting

It is believed that the duration of recovery from a hunger strike should be the same period as the fast itself. Weight loss during fasting may be even less than during the withdrawal procedure. The selection of a course should be carried out on an individual basis, depending on the duration of the past hunger strike. So, the next day after a one-day course, you are allowed to consume almost everything, but gradually increasing the amount and calorie content of food. After a two-day fast, it is best to consume only plant foods and grains on the third day. If the course lasted more than three days, it is recommended to consume only diluted freshly squeezed juices for the first day, then gradually switch to a plant-based diet.

The exit from a long-term course of fasting days for weight loss has a special scheme and should look like this:

The first week should be spent entirely on freshly squeezed juices diluted in half. Vegetable and fruit drinks are allowed (with the exception of beetroot and grape).
The second week should be spent consuming the same drinks, but without dilution. Drinking with pulp is allowed.
In the third week, it is allowed to gradually enrich the diet with vegetable salads without oil, steamed and boiled vegetables, and cereals.

Abrupt transitions are strictly prohibited in all cases, as they can cause nausea, vomiting, flatulence, indigestion and exacerbation of chronic diseases, as well as new pathologies of the digestive system. Drinking regime must be observed in all situations.

Therapeutic fasting at home can last for different times

If this is your first experience of dry fasting, you should stop at a daily or 48-hour period. It is better to start the experiment in the evening, since by the morning it will turn out that half the journey has already been completed, but there is no particular discomfort.

Dry fasting for 12 hours

Fasting for 12 hours is, in principle, normal, so there should not be any particular discomfort. Let’s imagine that dinner was at 19:00, therefore, at 7:00 in the morning the period of dry fasting will have passed.

It is recommended to practice this form of eating regularly, since in this case a person wakes up rested, full of strength and energy. This is because the body does not expend energy on processing food that arrives late. The digestive tract is resting.

Daily dry fasting (24 hours)

Daily fasting that began in the evening without prior preparation (fasting days, wet fasting) is extremely difficult to endure, so it is better not to ignore the prescribed recommendations. If you decide to follow a 24-hour fast of food and water, you can still brush your teeth in the morning. But for this, use a soft brush and gentle paste.

During a 24-hour dry fast, the following will happen to the body:

It will be cleansed, since there will be no need to expend energy on processing constantly incoming food;
The synthesis of biologically active substances will improve in the intestines.

But there are also warnings for the period of refusal of food and water. It is recommended to avoid vigorous physical activity and replace it with moderate activity in the form of walks in the fresh air.

When you first experience a hunger strike, the likelihood of side effects such as weakness, dizziness, bad breath, and worsening mood is high. However, if you make dry fasting and a preliminary fasting day a weekly ritual, you can get rid of discomfort and significantly increase your performance. The figure also improves, immunity increases, and the risk of cancer decreases. Many people experience improvement in their skin condition and normalization of sleep.

Dry fasting for 36 hours - great benefits for the body

Surviving 36 hours is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. Having started dry fasting in the evening, exactly one day later you will again find yourself on the threshold of sleep. Well, what’s stopping you from holding out for another 12 hours, especially since you’ll be sleeping through most of this time.

Increasing the fasting period to 36 hours will help the body not only cleanse itself, but also switch to internal nutrition. This means that the processes of breaking down accumulated fat are activated, and this is a direct path to a slender and thin body.

Dry fasting for 2 days or 48 hours: what will happen to the body

Two days without food and water is a difficult test for the body, so remember to prepare and do not practice this without a clear mindset.

In 48 hours, the processes that have begun in the body will only intensify. Cleansing of the body and breakdown of fats will continue, skin color will improve, and the scales can show up to minus 4 kg. True, half of the lost weight will return immediately after the end of the experiment, but this is not scary. The main thing is that the feeling of lightness will remain.

Dry fasting for 3 days: what are the risks?

It is not recommended to practice fasting for 3 days every week. Such experience is allowed no more than once a month. This is a lot of stress for the body, equal to approximately 7 days on a drinking diet. The appearance of unpleasant sensations in the form of:

headache,
dizziness,
bad mood
loss of strength;
sleep problems,

almost inevitable. To reduce discomfort, perform breathing exercises, walk in the fresh air, and do not make sudden movements.

Nausea and vomiting during dry fasting are signs of poor preliminary preparation. It is recommended to drink a small amount of mineral or distilled water and lie down. If vomiting does not go away, you need to break the fast. Severe dizziness and lightheadedness suggest the same actions.

Dry fasting: week, 10 days

The unpleasant sensations that appeared on the second or third day of dry fasting only intensified by the fourth. During the same period, an acidotic crisis occurs, which means the body switches to internal nutrition. Now every hour in this state is useful for him, as cleansing occurs at the cellular level.

A week of dry fasting is a difficult test for the body, which is difficult to withstand without careful preparation and preliminary shorter periods of food refusal. However, by deciding to experiment, you can not only improve your own health, but also safely switch to any type of diet, for example, veganism, a raw food diet. You can also quit smoking and get rid of alcohol and drug addiction.
Many people have managed to overcome chronic diseases through dry fasting, because not only the digestive system is cleansed, but also other internal organs: lungs, blood vessels, joints.

Reviews

Most people who decide to try dry fasting note that they did not experience any significant discomfort on the first day. Usually, thoughts about food and water were distracted by other things.

On the second day, lethargy and severe fatigue usually appear. For some, the body reacted with severe sensitivity in the lips, for others with strange sensations at the tips of the toes.

On the third and last day, the sensations are divided. Some react by raising their overall tone, good mood, pleasant thoughts and mild discomfort. Others, on the contrary, turn, in their words, into a “biorobot” and perform all actions automatically, the mood and craving for processes that require an uplifting mood, for example, creativity, disappear.

But after completing dry fasting, people in general were happy because they had achieved the goal they needed and made a strong-willed decision to cleanse the body, improve their health and lose weight.

If you decide to go on such a diet, be sure to make sure that you have no contraindications, do not forget to prepare and exit, and if in doubt, consult your doctor.

Symptoms for emergency exit from fasting

Perhaps someone will plan to fast for 7 days or more, but the body will decide otherwise. It is important not to miss the alarming symptoms and start exiting dry fasting in time so as not to harm yourself.

It is recommended to start exiting dry fasting when:

A sharp increase in the feeling of hunger, when before it had practically disappeared;
Excessive salivation;
Complete cleansing of the tongue (there should be a coating on it);
Dizziness, lightheadedness;
Continuous vomiting.

Indications for the diet

Dry fasting can be prescribed according to the following indications:

Established obesity;
Presence of allergic manifestations;
Anxiety, depression, neuroses;
Trophic ulcers;
Infectious diseases, inflammation - such as pneumonia and bronchitis, unwanted processes in the prostate gland, bronchial asthma;
Diagnosed infertility;
Rheumatoid arthritis, deforming osteochondrosis, ankylosing spondylitis, polyarthritis;
Eczema and neurodermatitis, chronic urticaria, psoriasis;
Problems with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract - colitis, peptic ulcer, constipation, chronic enteritis.

When fasting, all the weakest cells in the body are destroyed. Their place is taken by stronger ones. Lack of moisture provokes the release of sick, weak, damaged tissues and cells, all non-viable particles are destroyed. The body ultimately retains the strongest cells that can flawlessly withstand all difficult conditions.

It is on these factors that the healing effect for which abstinence is carried out is based, and rejuvenation occurs. Patients who managed to endure the restrictions confirm improved well-being and increased endurance. Many people, after undergoing therapeutic fasting, note greater clarity of mind and improved performance.

Breaking dry fasting is the key to maintaining results

In order to reduce the discomfort that appears during dry fasting or to correctly complete the diet after maintaining the entire period, you must follow a number of rules.

The main rule when breaking a dry fast is that the duration is two times longer than the duration of the diet itself. If the refusal of food and water lasted 2 days, the exit should be 4;
For the first 2-3 days, you should drink no more than 1 liter of liquid, dividing it into equal parts;
At the beginning, it is recommended to consume warm water, and the first 200 ml glass should be spread over 15 minutes. Drink a few sips to reduce stress on the body;
By the end of the first day of release, you can drink teas, freshly squeezed juices with water in a 1:1 ratio;
From the second day we gradually introduce fresh vegetables and fruits into the diet;
Then add vegetable soups without salt.

It is believed that the longer the period of consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits after dry fasting, the better the result. The body's condition will continue to improve, the skin is rejuvenated, small wrinkles are smoothed out, a natural blush appears, and dark circles under the eyes disappear.

Scheme

Cascade fasting is used for weight loss. This technique consists of alternating days of abstinence from food and days of eating. With this scheme, a gradual cleansing of the body and weight loss occurs. The important fact is that it is relatively easy to endure such a period. There are several schemes for cascading hunger.

Gentle - this method is suitable for beginners. It provides for several periods: a day of fasting - 2 weeks of normal nutrition; 2 days of fasting - 3 weeks of eating; 3 days of fasting - 3 weeks of eating, etc. However, for beginners it is not recommended to fast for more than three days.
Short is a shorter cycle, during which it is recommended to spend more time in the fresh air and do gentle physical exercise. According to this scheme, you need to fast like this: 1 day of fasting, 2 days of eating; 2 days of fasting, 3 days of eating; 3 days of hunger, exit.

There are other cascade schemes developed by famous nutritionists and doctors.

According to Filonov

This scheme provides for a three-month health course. Sergei Ivanovich Filonov is a famous doctor who has been studying the features of therapeutic fasting for several decades. The essence of this scheme is as follows. First month: the first two weeks - dietary nutrition, the third week - a period of intestinal cleansing, the fourth - a strict diet with the consumption of buckwheat. Second month: first week – one day of water fasting (WF), six days of diet, second week – two days of WF, 5 days of diet; third week – three days of VG, 4 days diet; Week 4 – 5 days VG, 2 days diet. Third month: everything is the same as in the second, only dry fasting is practiced instead of water fasting.

According to Lavrova

This method is practiced with the aim of rejuvenating all organs and systems. The technique involves eliminating all contact of the body with water - you even need to wear gloves when washing anything. Preparation for the course lasts 14 days. At this time, you should not drink alcohol, coffee, sugar and its substitutes, salt, or meat. Within a week, it is important to completely switch to a plant-based diet. It is important to drink plenty of water 1 hour before the start.

Next is the diagram itself. First stage: fasting day, feeding day; second stage: two days of fasting, two days of nutrition; third stage: three days of fasting, three meals, etc., until the fifth stage.

According to Leonid Shchennikov

Dry fasting according to Shchennikov involves three stages: preparation, from 5 to 11 days of dry fasting and exit. For two days before the fast begins, you should eat only raw vegetables. It is important to follow several rules: breathe slowly and be in a good mood; move a lot, doing it smoothly; ventilate the room; shower, but do not rinse your mouth. You need to sleep from 6 to 10 o’clock, then walk from 10 to 13, then engage in mental activity from 1 to 15. From 15 to 18, classes with a trainer are recommended. Again you need to sleep from 18 to 22 o'clock, and from 22 to 6 am - spend time actively in the air.

According to Anna Yakuba

Anna Yakuba recommends alternating dry fasting and a raw food diet . In this case, two programs are recommended - for two weeks and for a month. On those days when you can eat, it is recommended to eat raw vegetables and fruits, nuts, herbs, and dried fruits. You need to eat little and in small portions. With a two-week course, the days alternate as follows: the first day is dry fasting (DF), the second is a raw food diet, the third is SG, the fourth is a raw food diet, etc.

With a monthly course, the days go “increasingly”: 1 day - SG, 1 day - raw food diet; 2 days - SG, 2 days - raw food diet, etc. until 5 days, after which - exit.

According to Porfiry Ivanov

Porfiry Ivanov developed his own system of dry fasting. He recommended fasting from Friday evening to 12 noon on Sunday. At the same time, you need to go out for this period gradually, and initially do not eat from Friday evening to 14.00 Saturday. As a result, you need to reach 40 hours of dry fasting. It is recommended to overcome hunger with kefir or warm milk. After a couple of hours, you can eat a little diet food.

How often can you use the dry fasting technique?

Dry fasting is not a diet, don’t be confused. Yes, you will lose some weight, but half will return within 1-2 days of coming off. This technique is aimed at healing the body, cleansing internal organs and improving their functioning.

It is recommended to dry fast for 24 hours once a week. Once a month, to prevent the occurrence of various diseases and improve the general condition of the body, you should fast for 28 hours. Long-term dry fasting without prior consultation with a specialist is not recommended, since it is necessary to evaluate all the pros and cons of this technique and identify hidden contraindications so as not to harm yourself.

Danger of acidotic crisis

It must be pointed out that following a diet in accordance with the rules is actually not as easy as it might seem. You have to endure hunger and thirst, which is aggravated by the psychological aspect that inevitably occurs when you refuse to replenish your resources.

During a hunger strike, a ketoacidotic crisis occurs - the condition is caused by the fact that the body does not receive either food or water from the outside. The human body will try to obtain resources to support life, using its own reserves. His metabolism changes, chemical reactions begin to take place differently.

The processes that occur during hunger strikes in the body are accompanied by an increase in the level of ketone bodies. Such products are formed due to incomplete breakdown of fats or triglycerides.

When two to five days have passed from the start of the hunger strike, your health noticeably worsens. The crisis is especially pronounced in the first attempts to cleanse the body with hunger. It is for this reason that a person feels severe weakness, lack of air and nausea - signs of intoxication of the body. In especially severe cases, pain begins.

Those people who are seriously interested in periodic hunger strikes claim that such crises become less pronounced with each subsequent time. This happens when ketone bodies are utilized. Little by little their content decreases. Because ketone bodies are energy-rich components, they act as fuel for the production of new amino acids. As a result, slow tissue restoration begins, which ultimately responds favorably to treatment.

Be sure to read: The best express diet for weight loss - basics, contraindications and types

Contraindications for dry fasting

Despite the effectiveness and positive effect of a technique such as dry fasting on the body, it is not recommended to use it for a long period (more than 36-48 hours) without consulting a specialist.

It is necessary to abandon the idea of fasting for more than 12 hours if:

Presence of cardiovascular diseases;
Peptic ulcer, liver cirrhosis, tuberculosis;
Mental disorders;
Pregnancy and critically low weight.

Side effects and possible complications

Possible complications of fasting

In addition to the advantages of fasting, it is necessary to highlight the disadvantages, which include possible complications:

Headaches (usually disappear on the second or third day);
General malaise, chills;
Nausea;
Convulsions;
Unpleasant odor from the mouth and body;
Pain in joints and muscles;
Sleep disturbance.

Possible exacerbation of chronic diseases, problems with the gastrointestinal tract. However, the likelihood of these phenomena turns out to be increased if hunger strikes are carried out incorrectly.

In rare cases, there is increased acidity of the stomach, which can lead to acute pathologies (gastritis, pancreatitis, ulcers, cholecystitis, etc.), as well as complications of existing inflammatory diseases. This problem can be prevented by a preliminary full medical examination.

How to start fasting

If you want to lose weight, then before starting a diet and after it it is very important to follow the rules of nutrition. In advance, you need to start eating natural, “healthy” foods. According to doctors, you should start following proper nutrition 2-3 months in advance; if this is not possible, then at least 14 days in advance. The most important mistake of those who want to lose weight is sudden refusal to eat, an irrational, incorrect way out of fasting. This leads to unsatisfactory results and complications.

Preliminary preparation must be carried out without fail for any video of fasting. This will help reduce the stress that the body will receive due to food refusal. A smooth entry into the diet will provide the necessary results and will not allow you to fail due to malnutrition. During preparation you need to exclude:

baking;
animal proteins;
sweets;

Pre-cleaning

The desired effect can be achieved by cleansing the intestines and digestive tract from waste and toxins. This increases the level of absorption of useful minerals, vitamins, microelements, accelerates metabolism (metabolism) and the processing of food into energy. To simplify the cleansing procedure for the body, you need to do an enema before fasting. At 16.00 you need to have your last meal, and after 19.00 carry out the procedure with chamomile decoction or take a laxative. Then you can only drink water.