The FastDay Forum

I have recently broken an arm and finger and my girlfriend is concerned that I shouldn't start this diet until my arm is healed(calcium). I'm thinking it is no big deal but would ask if anyone knows why I should wait.

Wow! That is a real bummer. I have no medical background, so I hope someone will pop up with some wisdom.

About 3 years ago I broke some bones in my foot and had to stay off it for 4-6 weeks. I was 61 at the time and taking osteoporosis medicine, D3 and calcium supplements. I was also watching my weight. My diet included some dairy (yogurt, cheese and a little nonfat milk). I healed very quickly without surgery and have had no problems since. From my experience, it would seem to me that your girlfriend might be overreacting.

Good luck, at any rate.

I'm not an expert and perhaps you should ask one but I would continue my life as normal. If 5:2 was my routine, that's what I'd do.

Hi there - I feel your pain: literally! I fell over while running and managed to break and dislocate two fingers on my left hand, just about five weeks ago. That just so happened to be halfway through my first week of fasting. In fact, my second fast was on the day I had the accident! (In all the kerfuffle of going to hospital, then passing out back at home and sleeping several hours, I just didn't get around to eating til the evening!)

So clearly, from my story and in my personal (non-medically-qualified) opinion I see no reason to avoid intermittent fasting because you have an injury. Just thinking it through logically: even if we assume you need extra calcium for repairing broken bones (which I have no idea if that's even true. Maybe you just need a normal non-deficient amount), there's no real reason you would need to be calcium-deprived just because you fast twice a week. You could just increase your calcium intake a bit on the other five days to make up for it.

With that said, if you're actually concerned about it, of course you should check with your doctor! Personally, I'm not worried about it, and having had a few x-rays now, my own injuries are apparently healing quite normally.

[carorees]

I can't see that it would be a problem. If you're worried take some vitamin D supplement and calcium or have a mineral water to drink that is high in calcium (many are).

[janeg]

People in hospital who require surgery and have fractures are still fasted. I would say go for it, just maybe be aware of calcium and protein intake as has been mentioned. Both are required for healing. Oh, and listen to your body- it's amazing how tired a fracture can make you feel- rest is important for healing too.
Hope you're not in too much pain and you heal quickly.