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AnnaLeptikon comments on [question] Recommendations for fasting - Less Wrong Discussion

5 Post author: Gunnar_Zarncke 30 August 2014 12:36AM

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Comment author: AnnaLeptikon 30 August 2014 06:23:36PM 1 point [-]

The general problem of fasting and extremely reduced intakes is that the metabolism slows down. Also you first lose a lot of muscles, then a bit of fat - when going on eating normal you burn less than before (because of less muscles) and therefore gain more fat. So for your body's composition I would say: Don't do it. (There is this great German book called "Die Physik des Abnehmens" = "the physics of weight loss" in which a physicist explains all this things very nicely)

However: I personally tried fasting for the mental effect, I was able to concentrate even better than normal, I liked the feeling of being "independent" from food and of being able to get through all of this things. (But I will not do it again because I try to get less body fat :) )

Comment author: falenas108 31 August 2014 08:58:32PM 0 points [-]

As a physicist, I would not trust a book about weight loss by a physicist unless they also studied nutrition at an academic level.

Actually, I wouldn't trust a book about weight loss by anyone who hasn't studied nutrition at an academic level, that field is incredibly hard and it's too easy to simplify.