Thank you for sharing your experiences, Trav. Your lifestyle is truly impressive. For individuals with a metabolic profile like yours, prolonged fasting might not be necessary unless specific health conditions necessitate it for risk reduction. I wrote this article specifically for those facing metabolic challenges, drawing from my own experience in my mid-20s when I dealt with metabolic syndrome and prediabetes. Dr. Attia’s biohacks (experimental studies) have greatly influenced health and fitness communities for over a decade, particularly in fasting for extended periods. I have been following him since he started sharing them publicly. While he previously advocated fasting for up to ten days, I’ve observed changes in his stance recently, considering how it aligns with his own biology. He did not conduct large-scale studies and only formed his opinions by extracting some conclusions from previously published studies that were inconclusive. Out of deep respect for his work, like several other sensible biohackers, I conducted personal DEXA measurements before and after each 7- to 10-day fast, assessing fat, muscle, and bone density. Despite being older than him, I found no muscle loss during these periods. Several health and fitness-conscious people my age also followed a similar approach, and they did not lose any muscle. However, I consistently experienced a reduction in fat percentage as the body utilized stored fat. There are numerous factors causing muscle loss. For example, as it happened to me in my younger years, elevated cortisol levels caused by excessive cardio, sleep deprivation, relationship / economic issues, or emotional traumas over extended periods may contribute to muscle breakdown by impacting protein synthesis and glucose utilization. We need to understand these nuances to make our informed choices. I always increase my rest and meditation during the fasting period to lower my cortisol. It might not be possible for everyone. Therefore, as I highlighted in my story, long-term fasting is not for everyone and requires awareness, precision, and for some people medical supervision.
