Whey Protein and Fasting
Has anyone ever taken (Whey) protein during a fast? If so, why, and what were your experiences with it?
Last week I fasted three days on water. It was challenging but I wanted to do it and am very pleased with myself for doing it. I lost about 8 kilos, going down from 87 kilos to 78 1/2. I am slender in body form but over the years have managed to build up a lot of stubborn body fat around my waist. Although I exercise regularly the fat in this area did not diminish until the fast. My goal is NOT to reduce the fat in this area but to get RID of it altogether.
So, I am water-fasting this weekend as well. As a matter of fact I have been looking forward to it. I have prepared myself by eating only fruits today (Friday, 18-06-10). After 18:00 this evening I will not eat again until Sunday 18:00.
My only concern is that last week when I water-fasted I lost a lot of muscle size. I considered taking whey protein this time but have decided against it for two reasons. One, the duration of the fast is only for 48 hours and taking whey protein might subtract from the benefits I am to receive from fasting; two, I’ve been informed that the body will use protein as fuel when its supply of fuel from food is not available.
If my information is correct the reason that I lost muscle size in my last fast was because my body started taking protein from my muscles in order to use it as an energy source. Obviously I don’t want my body using whey protein as an energy source, rather, I want it to use the accumulated fat around my waistline.
Answer By Tom Coghill
You did not lose muscle mass during a two day fast. You did lose water. When you go to the gym your muscles pump up. A few hours later or a day later the muscles reduce in mass. They are just as strong but they have less fluid. Fat has 3600 calories per pound that is easy to break down and is designed as a energy storage so why would your body use valuable muscle tissue that only has 1817 calories per pound and is hard to break down. Your body also has reduced salt levels and that reduces cellular water retention.
A high quality whey supplement is good during juice fasting if you want to train hard and get cut. During water fasting it defeats the purpose. You are living on pure protein and that does not seem like a good plan to me. I did a fast on egg white with 4 hour of hard training a day. Wow was I cut after 20 days. Whey will do the same. You will not have the mass but you do get cut. (muscle definition)
Cindy Pa-ac 
Amy Seery 
Totes Boots 
Grace Fawoye 
Clay Lapre 
My sincere thanks and appreciation for your answering my inquiry with information that is direct and understandable. Because of already being slender in body form I do not need to lose weight in any area of my body except my waistline.
I have decided NOT to take a protein supplement while fasting. After making this post I came across this information (http://www.falconblanco.com/health/fasting.htm) “It was theorized that protein loss during fasting was harmful and that a fast should be supplemented with protein. Fasting with protein became known as the Opti-fast. Fasters took nothing but water and a protein drink. Sadly, several people died. Protein digestion during the fasting state created an overload of urea and the blood become acidic. In this condition, the organs become more damaged instead of healing. To the body, fasting is a natural process. During water or juice fasting, the protein levels of the blood remain constant. Although protein is being utilized, a person fasting 40 days on water will not suffer a deficiency of either protein, vitamins, minerals or fatty acids. In the breakdown of dying and diseased cells, all essential substances are available while fasting for reuse within the body. These dead cells are utilized in a systematic manner.”
For the present, fasting on the weekends fits best in my life. Yesterday, Friday, I ate only fruit. This gave me enough energy to work and it cleaned out my system a bit also. Next week I think to eat only fruits both Thursday and Friday in preparation for fasting Saturday and Sunday.
Hi Tom,
Pleasure to post here. Though it is my 1st time posting
I’m a avid believer of fasting…
I’ve scourge through this website since i encountered it since my search for fasting information and i dare say i have absorbed at least 90% of everything here
My track record though is unbelievably sorrowful if i might say.
A 10 days lemon fast and a 7 days water fast…
I 1st knew fasting through a forwarded email in a PDF attachment on health that touches on a minute aspect of fasting…
I was immediately intrigued and started my Lemon/maple syrup 2 years ago…
The effect was astounding…
A brief history of myself is that im a severe alcoholic and i smoke like a chimney…But everything changes since i embarked on my 1st fast…
Not only am i rid of all the detrimental habits, but i’m also so much more focus on what I wanted to do all my life
I’m sincerely planning to join you in Philippines soon and continue to spread your case studies and results to like-minded people..
During my fervent quest on fasting, i encountered a problem that i couldn’t find any answers…
I’m positive that you would have the answer…
Pls refer to my question i post to you via email
Hi Rex
That is a great story of fasting through addiction, if you want to write it up we can punish it. We work 60 hours a week with a team to promote fasting and healing.
Too much work, too little time but one day at a time we build.
Love to have you out.
Hi Tom,
I’m flattered. Though mine may not be a fantastic story as compared to many others, I would love to share once i resolve some issues with my ISP (Internet Service Provider). Let me write it up and post to you which might take some time. Understand you have a very busy schedule thus I’m very grateful for your prompt reply. I have already drafted a response to your queries but unable to sent it out (ISP problem). For now, I’m only able to post via a terminal at my workplace. Hopefully, My ISP is still interested to keep me as a client and fix the problem soon.
R.E.X Tan