The Side Effects of a 36-Hour Fast
Dehydration
Prolonged fasting decreases satiety, which may stop you from drinking enough water and cause dehydration. A 1982 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reported that fasting for 36 hours without fluid intake resulted in significant water loss and dehydration. To avoid dehydration, drink enough water and other non-caloric beverages during fasting hours (Source).
Fatigue and Weakness
A 2013 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that the participants experienced fatigue during a 36-hour fast (Source).
Mood Changes
A 1999 study published in Physiology & Behavior indicated mood changes and irritability are common during 36-hour fasting.
Metabolic Adaptations
A 1990 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed the participants resting metabolic rate decreased after a 36-hour fast (Source).
Learn More: 16-Hour Fast: Benefits and Results [The Best Foods to Eat]
Summary: Scientific evidence suggests potential side effects of a 36-hour fast, including dehydration, fatigue, mood changes, and metabolic adaptations.
How to Do the 36-Hour Fast?
Here are the steps you need to take to try a 36-hour fast healthily.
Before You Start
- Consult a healthcare professional to ensure a 36-hour fast is good for you, especially if you have pre-existing medical issues.
Preparation
- Decide your fasting period based on your schedule and preferences. For example, you can start after dinner and break the fast with breakfast the day after next.
- Stay Hydrated: In the hours before starting the fast, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
During the Fast
- Avoid Calories: Avoid consuming calories as food or beverages during the 36-hour fast.
- Stay Hydrated: You can drink water, herbal tea, and black coffee to stay hydrated and curb hunger.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body's reactions and break the fast if you feel severe discomfort, dizziness, or other adverse effects.
Breaking the Fast
- Start with Nutrient-Dense Foods: Break the 36-hour fast with whole, nutrient-rich foods. Eat balanced meals containing lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
- Start Slowly: Start with small portions and let your body adapt to the new eating habits.
After the Fast
- Return to your regular eating habits and avoid overeating.
- Stay Hydrated: Keep drinking water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Tips for Success
- Plan activities and keep busy to take your mind off food and fasting.
- Avoid intense exercising while fasting and go walking or do yoga instead.
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So, how often can we do a 36-hour fast? Is it safe and healthy to do it more than once a week?
How Often Should I Do a 36-Hour Fast?
No one can decide the frequency of 36-hour fasting better than you, as you know your goals, health status, and comfort level.
It's no secret that individuals show different reactions to fasting, and we can't say one schedule is good for everyone.
Anyhow, if you consider a 36-hour fast, you can check the benefits, considerations, and cautions of different frequencies below.
Once a Week
- Benefits: A 36-hour fast once a week can have metabolic benefits, promote weight loss, and boost autophagy.
- Considerations: Doing a 36-hour fast once a week can be suitable for many individuals
- Cautions: In case of extreme hunger, fatigue, or other negative effects, adjust the fasting schedule or consult a healthcare specialist.
Twice a Week
- Benefits: Doing a 36-hour fast two times a week can Increase insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility and speed up weight loss.
- Considerations: 36-hour fasting twice a week is more challenging and requires gradual adaptation. Avoid it if you're new to fasting.
- Cautions: If you experience nutrient deficiency or overexertion, you must seek medical consultation.
Three Times a Week
- Benefits: Doing 36-hour fasting more than twice a week can improve weight loss and metabolic results.
- Considerations: You must be a veteran of fasting to try this frequency, as you need to consume enough nutrition.
- Cautions: Overdoing fasting can lead to nutrient deficiencies, fatigue, and disruptions to daily life. It's better to be patient and keep it slow to get the best results in a healthy way, as good things take time!
Now that we know the basics of 36-hour fasting let's compare it with other common versions of intermittent fasting, i.e., 24-hour and 48-hour fasting.
The 24-Hour vs. 36-Hour Fast
The 24-hour and 36-hour fasts are two different kinds of intermittent fasting, but they have differences in duration and effects. Let’s compare and contrast them.
The 24-Hour Fast
- Duration: A 24-hour fast includes avoiding calories for a full day, like from dinner to dinner or lunch to lunch.
- Fasting Period: A complete 24 hours
- Benefits: Better insulin sensitivity, weight loss, and metabolic improvements
- Feasibility: Good for individuals who have experienced 8-, 12-, and 16-hour fasts and look for more challenging fasts
- Frequency: Depends on personal status and goals, but can be done once or twice a week or more
Learn More: 24-Hour Fast: How to Do It? Is It Good for Weight Loss? [Expert Guides]
The 36-Hour Fast
- Duration: A 36-hour fast includes one whole day plus an additional 12 hours compared to the 24-hour fast.
- Fasting Period: A continuous 36 hours, from dinner to breakfast on the day after tomorrow
- Benefits: It has the benefits of a 24-hour fast, with better cellular repair due to autophagy.
- Feasibility: Better for those more experienced in fasting, and can be super challenging for beginners.
- Frequency: Once a week or less
Which one should I choose?
- Goals: If you aim to lose weight and gain metabolic benefits, you can use both fasting methods. If you seek autophagy benefits, a 36-hour fast is more suitable.
- Comfort Level: A 36-hour may not be so comfortable for beginners, and a 24-hour fast or shorter periods can be better.
- Lifestyle: Your daily routine and lifestyle determine which fasting method better works for you.
- Consultation: If you consider these longer fasting periods, you need to consult a healthcare specialist first to avoid health issues.
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The 48-Hour vs. 36-Hour Fast
The other extended fasting period we’re about to compare with a 36-hour fast is the 48-hour fasting. Although both are versions of intermittent fasting, they have some differences we’ll address here.
The 48-Hour Fast
- Duration: A 48-hour fast involves avoiding caloric foods and drinks for two days.
- Fasting Period: A complete 48 hours
- Benefits: Better insulin sensitivity, weight loss, and boosted autophagy
- Feasibility: Best for veteran fasters, and can be highly challenging for beginners.
- Frequency: It's less frequent for its strict nature, maybe once a month.
The 36-Hour Fast
- Duration: A 36-hour fast involves 36 continuous hours of avoiding calories.
- Fasting Period: 36 hours, from dinner to breakfast on the day after tomorrow
- Benefits: Better insulin sensitivity, weight loss, and boosted autophagy
- Feasibility: Better for those more experienced in fasting, and can be challenging for beginners.
- Frequency: Once a week or once every two weeks
Which One Should I Choose?
- Goals: Both methods provide autophagy and better weight management, but the 48-hour fast may offer longer or more effective autophagy.
- Experience: You need to be experienced in fasting to try any of these two methods.
- Comfort: The 36-hour fast may be more comfortable for those who want the benefits of an extended fast without committing to a full 48 hours.
- Consultation: You must seek medical consultation before both approaches to see if your body allows extended fasting periods.
Speaking of our body status during fasting, what really happens in our body during long hours of fasting?
Learn More: 40-Hour Fast: Does It Work? [Benefits and Side Effects]
What Happens in Your Body If You Fast for 36 Hours?
Avoiding calories for 36 hours activates various physiological changes in your body. Let’s see what they are.
- Hour 0-6: The body begins to use glucose received from recent meals to provide energy. Insulin levels gradually decline, so the stored glycogen is broken down and used to provide energy.
- Hour 6-12: The body gradually uses all the glycogen stored, so it turns to stored fat for energy. Fat molecules are broken down into fatty acids. The liver tries to convert fatty acids into ketones as alternative energy sources.
- Hour 12-18: Ketone production increases, and fat becomes the main source of energy. Autophagy is initiated.
- Hour 18-24: More ketone is produced, which improves mental clarity and insulin sensitivity as insulin levels decrease. Fat loss increases as the body relies only on fat for energy.
- Hour 24-36: Autophagy increases. Metabolism tries to adapt to energy energy-saving. Hunger hormones like ghrelin may decrease, lowering the feelings of hunger.
We have mentioned autophagy a lot in this article. It’s time to get into its details and find out why it matters so much.
36-Hour Fast and Autophagy
A 36-hour fast can stimulate autophagy, which recycles damaged or dysfunctional cells. Simply put, it’s a cellular cleanup process that improves cellular health and longevity.
Autophagy can happen during a 36-hour fast because we consume fewer nutrients and produce less energy. But why all this is important?
Autophagy, this cell cleaning process, can lower the risk of many diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and metabolic conditions.
It can also improve metabolic health, immune function, and cellular resilience.
Autophagy is a gradual process that doesn’t happen all at once, but it takes time to peak and provides health benefits. It usually takes 12-24 hours for the autophagy results to appear.
What about weight loss? Can a 36-hour fast lead to weight loss and help us shed some extra pounds?
Learn More: [Expert Guide] 20-Hour Fast Results, Side Effects, and How to
36-Hour Fast and Weight Loss
Yes, a 36-hour fast can boost weight loss because of the following processes that appear during this extended fasting period.
Caloric Deficit
Consuming fewer or no calories can simply lead the body to use stored fat to provide energy, which means fat burn and weight loss.
Fat Burning
During fasting, when glycogen stores are emptied, the body begins to burn fat instead of carbs, which leads to weight loss.
Insulin Sensitivity
Fasting can improve insulin sensitivity, meaning that the body can better control blood sugar levels and reduce excess fat, which helps with weight loss.
Appetite Regulation
Fasting can trigger hunger hormones like ghrelin and reduce appetite, which means less calorie intake during eating windows and better weight control.
Important Considerations: Weight loss during a 36-hour fast comes from both water weight and fat loss. However, rapid weight loss in the early days after fasting is often due to water loss. Your metabolism, overall diet, and activity level determine how much and how fast you can lose weight.
Will a 36-Hour Fast Put Me in Ketosis?
Yes, a 36-hour fast can put your body into ketosis, where the body uses ketones as an energy source instead of glucose from carbohydrates.
Now that we’ve learned all about the fasting process, we need to talk about another important phase, which is breaking the fast. We need to know what to eat and how to eat to make the most of the 36-hour fast.
What Should I Eat After 36 Hours of Fasting?
- Break the Fat with a Small but Nutritious Meal: The first meal must be small and easily digestible so the body and digestive system can adjust.
- Hydration: Gradually drink water or herbal tea to rehydrate your body.
- Balanced Nutrition: The meals after the fast must contain various macronutrients—protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates—to provide sustained energy.
Foods to Eat
- Proteins: Lean protein sources like chicken, turkey, fish, tofu, or legumes
- Healthy Fats: Avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil
- Complex Carbohydrates: Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, or whole wheat bread
- Vegetables: Various colorful vegetables
- Fruits: Fresh fruits like berries, apples, or oranges
Foods to Avoid
- Highly Processed Foods: Sugary snacks, fast food, and heavily processed foods
- Excessive Sugar: Sugary drinks, candies, and desserts
- Fried and Greasy Foods
- Large Portions
There is also another essential consideration. So far, we have discussed how to start and do the 36-hour fast, but not everyone can do such long fasts. Who can’t? Let’s find out.
Learn More: Carnivore Diet Fasting: Types, Food List & Meal Plan
Who Should Not Consider Doing the 36-Hour Fast at All?
Although fasting is generally safe, some special groups need to be cautious and consult health specialists before starting fasting. Here’s a list of sensitive groups:
- Those with Underlying Medical Conditions
- Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
- Children and Adolescents
- Individuals with Eating Disorders
- Those Who Had Recent Surgery or Illness
- Those under Specific Medication
- Highly Activity Individuals (Athletes)
- Individuals with Low Body Weight
- Sensitive Individuals
To wrap up, I’ve provided essential tips for a successful 36-hour fast.
Tips for a Successful 36-Hour Fast
Here are the tips for a successful 36-hour fast.
- Consult a professional.
- Choose the right time.
- Drink lots of water.
- Use electrolytes if needed.
- Start with shorter fasts and let your body adapt to the fasting situation.
- Have a balanced and nutritious meal before starting the fast. Include protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
- Keep yourself busy by reading, working, meditating, or taking light walks to stay occupied and not think too much about food.
- Monitor your body’s reactions and changes to modify if needed.
- Break the fast with small, nutritious meals, and avoid overeating.
- Eat whole, nutrient-dense foods when breaking the fast. The meals should contain lean proteins, vegetables, healthy fats, and complex carbs.
- Avoid sugary or processed foods after the fast.
- Avoid intense exercises during fasting. You can try light exercises like stretching, yoga, or walking during fasting.
- Break the fast if you notice extreme symptoms like dizziness, extreme fatigue, mood swings, or excessive thirst.
- Rest and sleep during fasting.
- Have a positive mindset about fasting.
- Follow a flexible approach.
- Avoid overeating during the eating periods and have your regular eating patterns.
- Be patient and let your body adapt to the new situation.
Summary
The 36-hour fast is another version of intermittent fasting tried by those more experienced in fasting. This kind of prolonged fasting can boost metabolic health, help weight loss, and renew cells.
Plan carefully based on your goals and needs to avoid nutrient deficiencies and health issues. Also, remember to drink lots of water on and off the fasting period to avoid dehydration.
FAQ
The following Q&As address the most frequently asked questions about the 36-hour fast.
How Much Weight Can You Lose on a 36-Hour Fast?
The amount of weight you can lose on a 36-hour fast depends on various factors. However, studies show participants lost about 3.5 kg after four weeks of 36-hour fasting. Adding physical activities to fasting can boost the results.
Does a 36-Hour Fast Burn Belly Fat?
Dr. Mindy Pelz believes that a 36-hour fast can start fat burning by burning belly fat.
Is a 36-Hour Fast Long Enough for Autophagy?
A 36-hour fast can initiate autophagy, which usually includes two to four days of fasting. Autophagy begins when glucose and insulin levels drop significantly, which can start with 36- to 72-hour fasting.
Is a Monk Fast and a 36-Hour Fast the Same Thing?
The 36-hour fast, aka monk fast, includes fasting for 36 hours. In the monk fast, you only fast once a week.
What Is the Best Time of the Week to Fast for 36 Hours?
Although you can choose when to fast, some say it’s better to start on Monday after dinner and finish with breakfast on Wednesday morning.
Can Everyone Do a 36-hour Fast?
No, you need to avoid a 36-hour fast or consult a healthcare pro first if you’re new to fasting, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have underlying medical conditions, have eating disorders, are under special medication, do intense physical activities, or have low body weight.
Is a 36-Hour Fast Different from Intermittent Fasting?
No, the 36-hour fast is a strict kind of intermittent fasting.
