The problem with “fake fasting”

In the TV series “Modern Family”, Cameron is a man who is tired of having some extra pounds. Then he decides to do a “juice fast”, and his husband decides to do it alongside him. After a few days, they feel like they’re starving, and they start to feel a range of different emotions, especially Cameron.

When they finaly reach the point where they can’t take it anymore, comes a funny scene where they finally get to eat, by eating dog food without knowing it’s dog food.

So, what’s the main problem here about this “fast”? And why am I referring to this as a “fake fast”? Well, it comes out that, actually, a “juice fast” or any fast which includes any kind of carbohydrate in it isn’t actually a fast. Because according to the biochemestry definition, getting into a fast state happens specifically when there’s no carbohydrate getting inside the body, and then the body won’t be producing as much insulin and will start to produce tons of glucagon, which is the hormone produced when sugar levels go down.

With this information it’s pretty clear that in a “juice fast” it’s impossible for a individual to get into a fast state, unless it’s specifically sugar free artificial juice (but the sweet taste of a artificial sweetener by itself also can be enough to spike insulin levels, studies say). Any other “fast” that includes any carbohydrate in it isn’t a fast.

The only way somebody could eat food without getting out of the fasting state is if the person eats only carbohydrate-free foods, like meat, eggs, butter and oils. Eating like this, there’s a constant fast state despite the eating.

In a fast state, the human body is capable of switching it’s metabolism and adapt to the lack of carbohydrates. In this state, there’s no such thing as emotional explosions, strong hunger or feeling dizziness. In the situation described in the first paragraph of this article, all these side effects caused by this “fast” only happen because there’s no fast state actually happening.

Then, should you fast right away? Should you get into a diet that simulates fasting, like the ketogenic diet? The answer is: maybe. The best way of knowing what’s best for you is doing research, and not only having opinions based on popular knowledge or TV series, even awesome TV series like Modern Family. Also, it can be very important to go to a good nutritionist, that will be able to explain pretty much everything about fasting.