The FastDay Forum

On my second week doing 5:2 and loving it so far! I did quite a bit of research into it before starting but I have a couple of questions.

1. How long does it take for your body to go into "repair" mode?

Its my understanding (and please correct me if I'm wrong) that the average persons body is in "work mode" a large amount of time, so instead of repairing existing cells the body simply creates new ones, and faulty cells have the risk of becoming cancer. That brings me to my second question

2. If the body starts to repair these cells, does the risk of cancer in humans decrease? I know studies and research into human effects is primitive still.

It's also my understanding that on fasting days, insulin and blood glucose levels drop dramatically, is this when the body begins to burn fat for energy? Third question

3. How long does it take for the body to begin burning fat and enter Ketosis? and does the 600Kal meal break this process?

Thanks!

On my second week doing 5:2 and loving it so far! I did quite a bit of research into it before starting but I have a couple of questions.

1. How long does it take for your body to go into "repair" mode?

Its my understanding (and please correct me if I'm wrong) that the average persons body is in "work mode" a large amount of time, so instead of repairing existing cells the body simply creates new ones, and faulty cells have the risk of becoming cancer. That brings me to my second question

2. If the body starts to repair these cells, does the risk of cancer in humans decrease? I know studies and research into human effects is primitive still.

It's also my understanding that on fasting days, insulin and blood glucose levels drop dramatically, is this when the body begins to burn fat for energy? Third question

3. How long does it take for the body to begin burning fat and enter Ketosis? and does the 600Kal meal break this process?

Thanks!

Gather you've read Mosley's book and seen the video/TV show (widely available on the net and rebroadcast in various countries)?
My understanding #1 --after you've used up available fuel...I personally feel I hit that after about 18 hours.
#2 That is the contention of the longevity researchers. and Yes.
#3 For me, 18 - 24 hrs. It could...but I usually work out and preburn the 4-500 that I will ingest at the end of the day.
Great questions...I'm sure others will weigh in with their expertise.

[carorees]

The term ketosis is a bit woolly. Your body is always burning a little fat and the proportions of fat/glucose change according to when and what you last ate and the kind of activity you're doing. You will start making ketones a lot earlier than they can be detected in urine, so although 3-4 days of fasting is suggested by some, it's probably a lot sooner that you are using ketones. Repair may start as soon as glucose levels start to fall and ketones rise. Certainly we know that most (all?) cancer cells are dependent on glucose and can't use ketones, so that's my guess. I suspect tompan is right about the 18 hour thing because that's about when I feel suddenly hungry, but it will depend on the size of your glycogen stores and energy consumption. I think the composition of the 600 cal meal(s) will affect how soon you return to using ketones. There is evidence that the first carbs you eat after fasting go into glycogen stores, so as long as the food is low carb I think you'll return to repair mode (i.e. low blood glucose) fairly quickly. Unfortunately there is no proof of any of this in humans...it's just speculation based on the studies that are out there plus what Dr M and his experts have said.

Thanks for the replies!

Previous fasts my 600Kal meal has consisted quite heavily of carbs, usually rice because it's quite filling - If Carbs really do go into glycogen stores after fasting then that probably isn't doing very much for me! I'll try switching out carbs or protein instead!

[carorees]

Excess protein gets converted to glucose so don't swap in too much protein! Veggies are the way to go!