Prolonged Fast Spanning Forty Days
Michel Ruge, a renowned author from Hamburg, has embarked on an extraordinary weight loss journey, consuming only vitamin tablets, teas, and occasional broth for 40 days. However, his drastic diet choice has raised concerns from medical professionals.
Dr. Ulrich-Frank Pape, chief physician for internal medicine at Asklepios Clinic St. Georg, advises against such a diet due to potential health risks. The extreme fasting regimen may not be effective for long-term weight management and could lead to significant health complications.
One of the primary concerns is electrolyte imbalances. Prolonged fasting can increase the risk of dangerously low blood sugar and electrolyte disturbances. Maintaining electrolyte balance demands careful hydration and sodium intake, but without proper management, imbalances may lead to symptoms like dizziness, confusion, heart palpitations, and even chest pain.
Heart rhythm disorders are another potential risk. Electrolyte abnormalities from prolonged fasting can cause abnormal heart rhythms, which can be life-threatening. Persistent abnormal heart rates or palpitations during a fast require urgent cessation.
Kidney problems may also arise due to dehydration or restrictive diets. Extended fasts without adequate water intake can lead to kidney damage, especially if combined with dry fasting or minimal fluid intake.
Rapid weight loss from severe calorie restriction or crash diets is associated with gallstone formation, which can cause pain and require medical treatment. Pancreatitis, although less common, can also occur in the context of malnutrition or electrolyte shifts during extreme fasting or crash diets.
Even shorter fasts show some inflammation and muscle loss, underscoring the need for caution with longer fasts. The body breaks down fat and loses muscle mass during this diet, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies, mood changes, and rebound weight gain (yo-yo dieting), negatively impacting long-term health.
Most nutrition experts recommend limiting fasts to no more than 24 hours for beginners, with close monitoring of weight, blood glucose, and symptoms. Extended fasts increase risks exponentially.
In conclusion, a 40-day fast consisting solely of vitamin tablets, teas, and broth carries serious health risks and is not safe without intensive medical supervision. Safe fasting should involve medical monitoring, hydration with electrolytes, and limited duration (usually no longer than 24-72 hours unless clinically supervised). If considering prolonged fasting for weight loss, consulting a healthcare professional is essential.
It is important to note that such an extreme diet is not suitable for weight loss and may cause a significant loss of muscle mass. The specialist in gastrointestinal diseases warns against this diet, with the primary concern being the potential health risks associated with this extreme diet. Rebuilding muscle mass after such a diet is crucial to maintain overall health and prevent the feared yo-yo effect.
The extreme diet of consuming only vitamin tablets, teas, and broth for 40 days, as chosen by Michel Ruge, could lead to kidney problems due to dehydration or restrictive diets. This fasting regimen may also result in heart rhythm disorders caused by electrolyte abnormalities, which can be life-threatening. Moreover, the lack of proper nutrition during this diet may lead to significant muscle mass loss, increasing the risk of nutrient deficiencies, mood changes, and rebound weight gain (yo-yo dieting).
