The stages of water fasting with particular focus on entry and re-feeding. Tips around how to incorporate hemp oil and hemp seeds into a water fast.
Go to comments (70)The Brothers Green team regularly practice fasting and thrive from the nutrients that come from consuming the range of The Brothers Green raw hemp foods leading up to the fast.
The 8 Stages of a 72 Hour Water Fast
- 48-36 Hours Before the Fast - Prepare Your Body with Hemp Seed Oil
- 12 Hours Fasting - Enter the Metabolic State
- 18 Hours Fasting - Switch to Fat-Burning Mode
- 24 Hours Fasting - Autophagy
- 48 Hours Fasting - Increase Growth Hormone Levels
- 54 Hours Fasting - Insulin Levels Drop to Lowest Point
- 72 Hours Fasting - Generation of New Immune Cells
- After the Water Fast - The ‘Refeed’ with Hemp Seeds
Preparation
Stage 1 - How To Begin a Water Fast
What you eat before the fast can set up the next few days for a greater chance of success. The 48 - 36 hours before the fast are important to prepare the body and mind. Beginning to implement a 16 hour fast for the day or two before will give your body time to adjust and then cut down the intake of energy intensive food to process. By eating light, wholefood meals (fruits and vegetables) and not consuming any processed foods you will allow your body to better capitalise on the benefits of the fast and make the most of the experience for autophagy and cell renewal.
Hemp Oil
Hemp Seed Oil is high in polyunsaturated fats, low in carbs, perfect to enter a ketogenic state. In the 2-3 days leading up to your fast, increase your usual 1 TBSP daily serving to 3 TBSP a day. The Brothers Green Hemp Seed Oil is perfect because it's cold-pressed, unprocessed, Omega-3 rich healthy oil.
The Water Fast Itself
Stage 2 - 12 Hours Fasting
By 12 hours fasting you’ve entered the metabolic state called ketosis (Anton et al., Obesity 2018). This is when your body starts to break down stored energy and starts to burn fat.
Stage 3 - 18 Hours Fasting
By 18 hours you’ve switched to fat-burning mode and are generating significant ketones (Anton et al., Obesity 2018).
Stage 4 - 24 Hours Fasting
Within 24 hours your cells are increasingly recycling old components and breaking down misfolded proteins linked to alzheimers and other diseases (Alirezaei et al., Autophagy 2010). This is the process called autophagy which we need to begin immune system regeneration.
Stage 5 - 48 Hours Fasting
By 48 hours fasting without any/ very few calories, carbs or protein, your growth hormone level has increased up to five times higher than when you started your fast (Hartman et al.,1992).
Stage 6 - 54 Hours Fasting
By 54 hours your insulin has dropped to its lowest level point since you started fasting and your body is becoming increasingly insulin-sensitive (Klein et al., 1993). This is where those with type 2 diabetes (insulin insensitivity) begin to see the body naturally re-sensitise to insulin.
Stage 7 - 72 Hours Fasting
By 72 hours water fasting your body is breaking down old immune cells and generating new ones (Cheng et al., 2014).
Maximising the Fasting Benefits
Stage 8 - After the Water Fast - The 'Refeed'
What happens after a water fast - the ‘refeed’ - is one of the most important parts of the fast as this is how your body will regenerate your system. After multiple days without any food your digestive system needs something simple and easy to process. The best food to break a fast is light fruit such as watermelon or a smoothie is the best way to start. This is giving your system a chance to get used to food again before beginning on solid foods. Usually waiting 2-3 hours after your fruit or smoothie is enough time before reintroducing solid food. Although it can be tempting to get stuck into an indulging feed, you won’t regret giving your body time to readjust. This ensures you don’t upset the system and can get back to your normal routine. Your first feed will taste amazing!
I find that my appetite is never as strong as before the fast, the fast can reset our idea of hunger. This gives our mind the understanding that just because our stomach is empty, it does not mean our bodies need more food. It can make it a lot easier to introduce an intermittent fasting regime or healthier diet as it resets your hunger and taste buds.
Hemp Oil & Hemp Seeds
The Brothers Green Hemp Seed Oil & Hemp Hearts are the ideal food for the transition back into eating. They are light, versatile and easy on the gut. The high polyunsaturated fats and low carbohydrates profile will keep your body in ketosis and prolong the benefits of your fast.
Brad enjoying the 'refeed' at Gre3n Superfood after his 72-hour fast.
Fasting While Working & Working Out While Fasting
When Brendon and I did our water fast we aimed to fast for 72 hours. Consuming nothing but water, tea and black coffee for three days. We had our last meal on Monday evening and then we didn’t eat again until Thursday evening. During this time we also:
- Worked three full days
- Went to the gym three times
- Walked up the Rapaki Track at Otautahi’s Port Hills
- Attended a Bikram Yoga session at Flow Hot Yoga Christchurch
- Ran around Hagley Park, Otautahi’s largest park
All while not eating. This is not exactly necessary, but we wanted to highlight the fact that we do not always need to eat to operate. Our body stores energy (yes, that’s what fat is) for us to use in these times, however, we never have access to this stored energy because we keep topping up our fuel tank with food.
As a matter of fact, one of the most surprising outcomes of the fast is how much more focused you are, and how much work you can get done when you’re not having to prepare and consume a meal three times a day. Your body is the most complicated and intelligent machine that we have ever discovered. You’re not going to fall over and die if you don’t eat for 12 hours - I’m not sure how we would have made it this far otherwise. Especially when we have so much energy stored around our body.
My favourite part… it’s so simple! Just drink water and don’t eat… I dare ya!!
Our 3 Water Fasting Tips
1. Share the Experience and Results
Practice with a friend, group or partner. This means you have someone to share the experience with and they can keep you on track. It is always easier knowing that someone else is going through the same experience and you will both be able to share the benefits.
2. Keep Your Schedule Free
Don’t plan anything too strenuous or physically difficult. Enjoy the last 24 – 48 hours of the fast at home (weekends, days off, quarantine etc.) and try not to plan any social engagements around a meal. Instead you could go for a walk or have a cup of tea.
3. Keep Your Mind Busy
Although you don’t want to be doing anything involving food, it is a great time to read, study, do some mindfulness or complete those tedious jobs that you have been putting off. You will see that you will have a lot more time in your day, so planning to get some of these activities and jobs done will pass the time quicker.
4. Use Hemp in Transition Periods
Before & after the fast are the key times for getting the most benefits. Food with high fats and low carbs are perfect. Drink hemp seed oil and eat hemp seeds! Click here to explore The Brothers Green product range.
Fast Series Part 4: Eight Steps to a Successful Water Fast
Comments (70)
I am currently 28 hrs in to a 30 day fast. I will report back in 1 month.
54 hours into the fast, feel good not hungry at all since started, reckon could go longer than the 72 hours but out the following day on 15 mile hike so going to fuel before. Information on this page was super helpful thank you!
i am 40 hours into an attempt @a 72 hour water fast, the electrolytes must be helping in my water because i feel fine, over half way there now.4lb gone @36hrs.
I am wrapping up my 72 hour fast. The first 24 hours was a little bit tough because my body wanted to eat at the times I’m used to eating.
I began this journey by fasting a week prior by doing a 16/8.
And I was mentally preparing myself to go into a 72 hour fast.
What’s amazing is you have so much clarity, energy, and you’re really not hungry. So this is an incredible way to reset you gut, cleanse and create new stem cells.
Our bodies are an awesome machine!!! Thank you God!
Great info on the stages, just at the end of a 78 hour fast longest I’ve done yet.I work on site as a civil engineering carpenter so quite a physical job, really surprised how easily I’ve done it.I’ve had more energy than I do when I’m eating regularly.When I’m not fasting I’ve been on a strict keto diet since January.So I’ve felt strong anyway but as I say really surprised how great I feel could definitely go longer.
I just did a two day fast. I tried to go for three but got nauseous on the third day and stopped about six hours into the day. However, reading this article and a few others actually helped me stay with it. Knowing the benefits in stages was very helpful. So thank you. I will be trying again soon.
Hello, hello, love this article. Tomorrow morning I’ll be completing my 79 hours fast. Definitely going to look into the products you sell. Do you have a distribution in the UK? Thanks!
prolong water fast 72 hrs how many times in a month ?
Hello brother I found your information on the physiology of fasting very interesting. I am in a partial state of ketosis, eating mainly fruits vegetables and nuts at the end of the day. I have begun my 3 day fast today. I’m afraid but determined to make it, especially with the information I’ve acquired about what stages the body enters as the fasting progresses.
Hello thebrothersgreen.co admin, Your posts are always a great source of knowledge.
I’m in my second day of the water fast , I’m so hungry with a little bit of energy but I’m hanging in there . I’m only drinking water no coffee/ tea at all .will complete my 3 day . Thanks for the information
Dear thebrothersgreen.co admin, Your posts are always well-supported and evidence-based.
To the thebrothersgreen.co owner, Your posts are always well-formatted and easy to read.
I am so glad I opened this page when looking up pros and cons of extended water fast. Lots of the information on the net points readers away from water fasts and raises alarms for health concerns. I am on day 3 of water fast and I feel good. A bit less energy when exercising, but I woke up for the past two days ready to face the day, without alarm clock, and with mental clarity. Reading many of the comments gives me encouragement to continue further and allow my body to reset its metabolism, energy consumption, and ultimately change my eating habits. I am reading a book “Drop Acid” by David Perlmutter MD which is also eye opening and gives me a great place to start a healthier, more energetic, and enjoyable future. Stick to it, it’s well worth the challenge.
Interesting article with interesting feedback.
I’ve been water fasting for 7 years. Just once a year. Last year my usual 72 hour fast was so easy I went on to complete a 4th day. Year after year it gets easier and more enjoyable. My family too is now involved.
One important thing to dive deeper on that is HUGELY important. When the old cells are burned they release toxins. Some are heavy metals. You do not want these released into your bloodstream for reabsorption. For that reason it is important to add a “binder supplement” once ketosis starts.
The cautions with binders…
Use a proper binder that does not need food for it to be expelled. Something that can be expelled through urine.
Use binders for toxins and heavy metals.
Best I have found to suit is a liquid Silica and powdered Chlorella devolved in water.
I also maintain my daily dose (3 drops) of a deep earth Iodine (the only type I would recommend) to promote the necessary cellular activity being activated by your fast..
Finally, AFTER YOUR FAST IS BROKEN follow up with a liver cleanse and liver supplement. There are many so pick one right for you.
Parasite cleanses are also incredible. they do not require fasting but they do require a total lack of sugar and grains (which feed parasites). Using good quality antiparasitic teas for a week or two (yes along time with out bread lol) .
Again, use binders that capture the toxins that the parasites release as a defence mechanism. NOW YOUR PROAND PREBIOTICS WILL ACTUALLY WORK!
I started the fasting regimen in desperation with astounding results to my health. My immune systems now kicks ass and I have noted my brain function (no brain fog anymore), energy, stamina and skin. It is the only reason I continue to do because the results are simply undeniable.
Good luck to all of you. And congratulations for taking your health into your own hands.
Happy Friday, I was so happy to find your instruction/information on the right and safe way to start fasting and recorrecting your body in and better healthier way. I wanted a safe way to do a 3-day water fast and then get into happy healthy eating. Thanks so much for helping me out I would like to keep your posted on how it goes while following what I read. This is important for me to do this because I’m getting ready to have a knee replacement and I want my body to be ready for it and also to have a great recovery process.
This is a great read. I had started my water fast already when I found your site. Part of my motivation to keep on track is looking online for inspiration and I found it here this time. I short fast regularly and long fast at least once a year, so I’m going to include help oil in my prep on the next one. Thanks for the tip. Great to hear from fasting legends in Aotearoha too. Otautahi is my hometown.
thanks for the information youssefweb7-online forever
Hi, I am on day 2 of a 3 day water fast. I am hungry, but feel pretty good. Just laying low and drinking green tea and lemon water. I am hoping to build new stem cells to ward off my auto immune response to winter.
I fortified well before I started and plan on breaking the fast with a smoothie, including hemp seeds. This isn’t easy LoL 🤠
How often can you do the 80 hour fasts? I have been doing them once a week and I love it, but is it safe to continue?
It is great to connect with so many water fasters! I am at the end of my first day of at least 7 days only water with a bit of himalayan salt. I feel a long fast period but not sure how long yet. I did several fasts before and the longest on water (and herbal tea) was 3 days, but I feel really confident in my body. I prepared by intermittent fasting 6/18 eating only greens. Excited about the journey ahead!
Joyah Sol
I’m currently on day 6 of a H20 fast & undecided about how long I’ll remain on it - hopefully 21 days. I’ve only H20 fasted once b4 in my life. The last time was years ago. I did 15 days & on day 16 I refed w/far 2 much food - the story of my life.
I’m a 72 yr old food addict who’s been fighting food & “dieting” all her life!! I’ve tried everything out there but never able 2 maintain the loss & not yo-yo w/my weight. Heretofore, my goal has only been 2 lose weight but now my focus has changed. Here’s how:
I’m a Christian & thruout the Bible people have fasted & prayed 2 achieve a goal. Jesus, Moses, Elijah, David, Daniel & Nehemiah are just a few who did it.
Now rather than my goal being just 2 lose the weight, I want 2 increase my intimacy w/God. This is the game changer. For me, the fast has become the gift & the weight loss is the bonus that comes with it.
In Phillipians Paul says “I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me”. I thought about this & it made sense. 6 successful days on H20 w/my urge 2 binge on junk controlled tells me that I can do this…. but only in His strength.
Day 3 was the hardest but it was smooth sailing starting day 4. 2 say that I’m abundantly grateful is an understatement!! 😊
This time when I refeed, I’ll start with a bit of watermelon & gradually increase 2 a whole food plant based diet & include small amts of salmon & other healthy protein.
I wish all of u success in ur endeavor!! Stay safe & healthy! 🤗
Thank you so much for this information.I am planning to do a fast,maybe starting with 2 days.I feel like my relationship with food is becoming unhealthy because of stress.I find myself spending money on junk food and eating when I am not hungry,so I think it’s time I reset.I am starting with the intermittent fasting for 3 days before I get into the 2 day water fast.I will come back on here to update.
Thank you so much for this information.I am planning to do a fast,maybe starting with 2 days.I feel like my relationship with food is becoming unhealthy because of stress.I find myself spending money on junk food and eating when I am not hungry,so I think it’s time I reset.I am starting with the intermittent fasting for 3 days before I get into the 2 day water fast.I will come back on here to update.
Hey all, I’m on day 9 of a 10 day water only fast. Feeling pretty good. Days 3 or 4 always feel a bit ropey for me but it gets better. I’ve been exercising throughout, but not strenuously and working 5 days a week. I have clarity and feel I’m functioning normally, but I can feel a little tired from time to time, but that always lifts. One of the side effects of fasting is of course weight loss and I’ve already dropped over 8kg, losing all that lockdown weight gain thankfully.
My longest water only fast was for 2 weeks. A friend had fibromyalgia and after 2 weeks all her pain she’d suffered for 3 years was gone and now she manages much much better. I did it because I could.
(BTW I wouldn’t recommend doing 2 weeks straight off the bat, I’ve been fasting for 20 years and have embraced extended fasting over the past 3 or 4 years).
The awesome effects of autophagy (eating those damaged cells which age us), Immune system reset, and the production of new stem cells. Can’t get much better than that!
I try to do 3 to 5 day water only fast occasionally throughout the year as a top up. Intermittent fast during the week with one 24 hour fast a week. Except on holiday and some weekends I eat and drink as I please.
My energy is great, my skin is great, and best of all I feel great. Just hit 60 years old, told I look Like I’m in my forties, and I agree! :-)
Keep it up everyone, you won’t regret the end results. It keeps you younger for longer.
Hey all, I’m on day 9 of a 10 day water only fast. Feeling pretty good. Days 3 or 4 always feel a bit ropey for me but it gets better. I’ve been exercising throughout, but not strenuously and working 5 days a week. I have clarity and feel I’m functioning normally, but I can feel a little tired from time to time, but that always lifts. One of the side effects of fasting is of course weight loss and I’ve already dropped over 8kg, losing all that lockdown weight gain thankfully.
My longest water only fast was for 2 weeks. A friend had fibromyalgia and after 2 weeks all her pain she’d suffered for 3 years was gone and now she manages much much better. I did it because I could.
(BTW I wouldn’t recommend doing 2 weeks straight off the bat, I’ve been fasting for 20 years and have embraced extended fasting over the past 3 or 4 years).
The awesome effects of autophagy (eating those damaged cells which age us), Immune system reset, and the production of new stem cells. Can’t get much better than that!
I try to do 3 to 5 day water only fast occasionally throughout the year as a top up. Intermittent fast during the week with one 24 hour fast a week. Except on holiday and some weekends I eat and drink as I please.
My energy is great, my skin is great, and best of all I feel great. Just hit 60 years old, told I look Like I’m in my forties, and I agree! :-)
Keep it up everyone, you won’t regret the end results. It keeps you younger for longer.
I thought a water fast only consisted of water. Not stimulants such as coffee and tea. 🤷♀️
I thought a water fast only consisted of water. Not stimulants such as coffee and tea. 🤷♀️
I’m currently on Day 2 of 7 water fast and the hunger pangs are getting crazy. I tried the juice fast for a month several years ago but I don’t remember getting this hungry back then (though I do recall feeling sluggish the first 4 days of it). Right now I’m only consuming water the entire day and I find myself watching food recipes on youtube mostly to fend off boredom. I don’t know if I’ll make it to Day 7 but I take comfort in seeing some comments saying it gets somewhat better by Day 4 so I’m really really really looking forward to that.
Hello fasting fellow, so nice to become part of the fasting community. It’s my first 3-day water fast – on day one so I still feel great. Very excited to see what happens on day 3. I might continue or really slow down the referring process.