# Will fasting clear out your arteries? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 18, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434 "2005-05-18T16:56:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/21 "2013-08-16T22:05:44Z")
Again, what are the toxins? Name a few. Provide a few legitimate cites for that wall of text. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2013, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/22 "2013-08-16T22:16:33Z")
> [@Lancando](#): > > Undigested food along the intestinal tract and fat is digested first. This is a myth. There is no accumulation of “undigested food” or poop in your colon, nor a dread pileup of toxins that require fasting to eliminate. > [@](#): > > Expect total insomnia as well as having no energy, nightmares, hallucinations, fear, yellow liver bile stains on the backside of your underwear. Body odour, bad breath and foggy/fuzzy vision. What a great advertisement for fasting and “detoxification”. > [@](#): > > Now the good part that reverses aging, turning grey hair back to it’s original colour and putting the zip back in you step and if you are a man feeling like you are 18 again. You might “feel like you are 18 again”, but if your body and breath stink and there are stains all over your underwear, the women will run in the other direction. > [@](#): > > Here’s the thing, your body signals you it’s time to eat. Listen to your body - don’t fast. > [@](#): > > Don’t laugh, my girl friend said my poo smelled like baby poo. Well, maybe not _all_ women run away. But look what you’re left with. > [@](#): > > You can argue it with all the reasoning, knowledge and intelect that you can muster but experience prevails every time. We don’t need no steenking facts. We’ve got the steenking breath and B.O. > [@](#): > > The colin is the hotbed of toxins stored in the body and when you get there the hallucinations begin, the fear and feeling of being near dead. This could explain a lot about **lekatt**. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/23 "2013-08-16T22:25:38Z")
“Don’t laugh, my girl friend said my poo smelled like baby poo.” I laughed ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/24 "2013-08-16T22:26:24Z")
> [@Lancando](#): > > Don’t laugh, my girl friend said my poo smelled like baby poo. That’s not exactly a ringing compliment. Have you ever actually smelled baby crap? It’s no rose garden, let me tell you. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/25 "2013-08-16T22:27:43Z")
I’m more interested in hearing about the difference between fermenting and rotting. And if I starve for 5 days can I chow down on a bunch of peaches and get smashed? And (more seriously) is there a low calorie fast that can keep my brain alert? Because I need my brain for my job–the rest of me can starve for all I care. If I sip some glucose will the rest of my body hog it before it gets to my brains? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/26 "2013-08-16T22:30:45Z")
I’m more interested in hearing about the difference between fermenting and rotting. And if I starve for 5 days can I chow down on a bunch of peaches and get smashed? And (more seriously) is there a low calorie fast that can keep my brain alert? Because I need my brain for my job–the rest of me can starve for all I care. If I sip some glucose will the rest of my body hog it before it gets to my brains? Because I don’t want that. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/27 "2013-08-17T00:00:42Z")
What I’d like to know is how one suffers total insomnia _and_ nightmares. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/28 "2013-08-17T00:46:33Z")
That’s called hallucinating, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/29 "2013-08-17T00:52:02Z")
Guys, cut him some slack… he’s up to 60 books now. ---
**Author:** ![Lancando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/71c47a/32.png) [@Lancando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancando)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/30 "2013-08-17T20:30:05Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Again, what are the toxins? Name a few. Provide a few legitimate cites for that wall of text. Mercury, teflon, residue from drugs and medication, pesticides, pollution, parasites, animal growth hormones, bacteria, viruses, etc. i would humbly suggest searching any liver or kidneys detoxes and see the list of substances removed. I would not list and thereby endorse any particular reference as any mis-information would have to be identified and explained. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/31 "2013-08-17T20:32:05Z")
> [@Lancando](#): > > Mercury, teflon, residue from drugs and medication, pesticides, pollution, parasites, animal growth hormones, bacteria, viruses, etc. i would humbly suggest searching any liver or kidneys detoxes and see the list of substances removed. I would not list and thereby endorse any particular reference as any mis-information would have to be identified and explained. I would humbly suggest that, since you made the claim, that _you_ provide the cites. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/32 "2013-08-17T20:38:14Z")
Teflon is not a toxin. Neither are viruses, bacteria or parasites. Mercury can only be removed with a specific treatment, fasting won’t do it by itself. Residue from drugs and medications(same thing really) is what is left by the liver(if any truly is left) and is easily secreted. Pollution is quite a catch-all phrase, be specific. Animal growth hormones(if present) have little or no effect on humans, we’re different species. The liver and kidneys do just fine on de-toxing the body. Why is it that followers of fasting, natural diets and such still need to de-tox? Or is it the toxic levels of cash accumulating in bank accounts they seek to cure? ---
**Author:** ![Lancando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/71c47a/32.png) [@Lancando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancando)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/33 "2013-08-17T20:41:03Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > More “rotting in your bowels”. > Zombies do need brains. I stand corrected, “rotting in the intestines”. ---
**Author:** ![Lancando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/71c47a/32.png) [@Lancando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancando)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/34 "2013-08-17T20:43:39Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And could you please tell use where the colan is? The colon is located where my editor used to plant his colon before I fired him for mis-spelling colon. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/35 "2013-08-17T20:46:26Z")
> [@Lancando](#): > > The colon is located where my editor used to plant his colon before I fired him for mis-spelling colon. Thank you. Cute. Do you have any cites for your many claims? ---
**Author:** ![Lancando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/71c47a/32.png) [@Lancando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancando)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/36 "2013-08-17T20:50:27Z")
> [@The Great Sun Jester](#): > > I’m more interested in hearing about the difference between fermenting and rotting. And if I starve for 5 days can I chow down on a bunch of peaches and get smashed? > > And (more seriously) is there a low calorie fast that can keep my brain alert? Because I need my brain for my job–the rest of me can starve for all I care. If I sip some glucose will the rest of my body hog it before it gets to my brains? Vegetable juice fasts with carrot juice as 50% of the cocktail. Celery, beets or tomatoes, etc. I have a “Greens” attachment that allows me to extract juice from dark leafy greens and spinach to add in. Starvation is when the body digests healthy tissue. If I wasn’t “strving” after 45 days I don’t believe you are going to starve over 5 days. You will discover a food addiction I suspect. Sorry not enough alcohol to get a buzz. ---
**Author:** ![Lancando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/71c47a/32.png) [@Lancando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancando)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/37 "2013-08-17T21:03:13Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > Your brain needs glucose. All the time, every day, over 125 grams of it a day. > > Your body cannot make glucose from fat like it can from carbohydrates or protein. In the abscence of dietary protein and carbohydrates your body will perform gluconeogenesis on your muscle tissue to get the glucose you need to survive. The body isn’t particular about what muscle it uses, and your cardiac muscle is just as bioavailable as skeletal muscle, so long term fasting is not a good idea. Have a visit to your local emergency room and check out a few anorexics that are being admitted when their organs are beginning to fail. You might observe a lack of muscle mass that occured prior to their needing to be hospitalized. If your theory is correct then could you please explain to me why my blood glucose levels remained at 72 mg/dl? This is the minumum level for “fasting” blood glucose levels. It may dip slightly below this initially while the body adjusts but stabilizes at this number for the duration no matter what you body is using for energy to fuel warmth and brain function. Levels below this number occur in type I Diabetics and they become confused and are at risk of slipping into a coma if it drops to 36 mg/dl. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/38 "2013-08-17T21:15:30Z")
> [@Lancando](#): > > Have a visit to your local emergency room and check out a few anorexics that are being admitted when their organs are beginning to fail. You might observe a lack of muscle mass that occured prior to their needing to be hospitalized. > If your theory is correct then could you please explain to me why my blood glucose levels remained at 72 mg/dl? This is the minumum level for “fasting” blood glucose levels. It may dip slightly below this initially while the body adjusts but stabilizes at this number for the duration no matter what you body is using for energy to fuel warmth and brain function. Levels below this number occur in type I Diabetics and they become confused and are at risk of slipping into a coma if it drops to 36 mg/dl. Muscle tissue, not fat, is utilized to produce glucose. ---
**Author:** ![Lancando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/71c47a/32.png) [@Lancando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancando)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/39 "2013-08-17T21:26:43Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > This is a myth. There is no accumulation of “undigested food” or poop in your colon, nor a dread pileup of toxins that require fasting to eliminate. What a great advertisement for fasting and “detoxification”.You might “feel like you are 18 again”, but if your body and breath stink and there are stains all over your underwear, the women will run in the other direction.Listen to your body - don’t fast. Well, maybe not _all_ women run away. But look what you’re left with.We don’t need no steenking facts. We’ve got the steenking breath and B.O. This could explain a lot about **lekatt**. 🙂 The intesinal tract is a long tube that is lined with fibers that absorb nutrients from food that is paasing through it. When you see a guy with a great big bulging gut but not a lot of body fat what do you think that is? A clogged intestine. Undigested food clogs these fibers preventing the effecient absorbtion of nutrients causing the person to still feel hungry they continue to over eat thus exasperating the problem. The body has three cycles or functions each day. Injestion, absorbtion and elimination. If the body is interupted during elimnation with more injestion, which then requires more absorbtion then the body loses the opportunity to effectively eliminate the food waste. It then gets stored as “undigested” food by-product. Please reference any decent material on Natural Hygeine. Fit for Life - Harvey Diamond as my recommendation. It’s easier to crack “wise” than to crack a book. You will read how even the way we combine food when we eat it can turn it into undigestibale toxins. Breifly, it has to due with foods that require stomach alkaloids as opposed to acids for proper digestion and the “toxification” that occurs when both are being released with the same meal. Get some protective gear and go to your back yard and mix an alkaloid with an acid. Just make sure you are alone. No “innocent” parties need to get harmed. Now imagine that occurring in your stomach and call it indigestion. Enough! If you really want to know you will investigate for yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Lancando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/71c47a/32.png) [@Lancando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancando)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434/40 "2013-08-17T21:28:51Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > This is a myth. There is no accumulation of “undigested food” or poop in your colon, nor a dread pileup of toxins that require fasting to eliminate. What a great advertisement for fasting and “detoxification”.You might “feel like you are 18 again”, but if your body and breath stink and there are stains all over your underwear, the women will run in the other direction.Listen to your body - don’t fast. Well, maybe not _all_ women run away. But look what you’re left with.We don’t need no steenking facts. We’ve got the steenking breath and B.O. This could explain a lot about **lekatt**. 🙂 One more point. My friend was inthe hospital for colon cancer. A sack arounf the colon was nicked releasing deadly toxins that almost killed him. Conv [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fasting-clear-out-your-arteries/304434.md?page=3)