Modern day development has come at a price as the very real threat and effects of environmental devastation moves higher up the headlines. The level of pollutants and toxins that one is exposed to everyday is immense. …

I stumbled across your post Friday titled A Perspective on the Physiology of Fasting & Weight Loss … when searching for info. related to fasting to lose weight. You should continue writing more as I will certainly return to your site. Good …

I don’t normally comment on blogs but your post was a real call to action. Thank you for a great read….

The Herxheimer reaction is an immune response to proteins inside of spirochetes and some bacteria from rapid lysis with the commencement of treatment (seen frequently with syphyllis). It is a rash and fever.

He goes on to add his own perspective on fasting, weight loss and exercise.

Initial weight loss is largely water… [W]ater and electrolyte supplementation to correct this helps reduce some of the renal stress of fasting. After use of glycogen stores, there will be protein as well as fat catabolism. Nutrition and exercise during weight loss are necessary to build new protein (and, unfortunately, some fat) to offset this.

I would like to underscore Mike’s comment about additional water. It is essential to replace lost fluids and electrolytes during a fast. Water is also essential for increased triglyceride (fat) break down and therfore weight loss whether one is fasting or not.

Many have hailed the ‘Low Carbohydrate’ and/or Atkin’s diet as a revolutionaray weight loss plan because the body remains almost constantly in the ‘ketosis state’. Whether that is a healthier lifestyle or not (there is some evidence that it is) may be debated for a long time. However, even if you are in the ‘ketosis state’ permanently, if you consume more calories of fat and protein than your body uses on a daily basis, you will not burn stored fat and therefore you will not lose weight! It comes back to the simple equation of energy in vs energy used. A suplus input results in fat storage.