Delhi Water Minister Atish Marlena, who was on an indefinite hunger strike over water scarcity in the national capital, was admitted to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital on June 25. Health Her condition worsened. According to AAP X Update, her blood sugar level dropped to 43 in the middle of the night and 36 at 3 am, following which she was advised to be admitted to hospital immediately. “She has not eaten anything for the last five days and is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding the Haryana government release of Delhi's water quota,” the post read.
What happens to your body in fasting mode and how fast do you lose weight?
A complete fast involves abstaining from not only food but also water in some cases. Weight loss “Diabetes can occur during this period, but it may not be the only cause,” says Dr Pooja Pillai, consultant physician and diabetologist at SPARSH Hospital, Bengaluru.
“Weight loss depends on an individual's weight, basal metabolic rate, existing comorbidities, General health“Glycogen stored in the liver and muscles is the body's first energy store. Since glycogen is bound to water, initial weight loss is primarily due to water loss. This can result in a rapid loss of 2-4 kg in the first few days. Once glycogen stores are depleted, the body will start burning fat for energy,” explained Dr Pillai.
On average, “people may lose around 0.5 to 1kg of weight per day while fasting,” Dr Pillai noted, adding that “this may vary depending on an individual's body composition.”
Weight loss begins within one to two days of starting the fast, said Dr Sudheer Kumar, a neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad. “The weight loss continues as the number of days of fasting increases. One study found that people who fasted for five days lost about 4-6 per cent of their body weight, those who fasted for 7-10 days lost about 2-10 per cent and those who fasted for 15-20 days lost 7-10 per cent. This is assuming that people are healthy and do not have any chronic diseases including diabetes,” Dr Kumar pointed out.
It is important to note that once normal feeding is resumed, most of the lost weight will be regained within the next three months.
Fasting can lead to rapid weight loss, but it comes with serious health risks, including lowering blood sugar levels.
Short-term side effects include headache, gastritis, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and hypoglycemia. Long-term side effects include: Multiple nutrient deficienciesmuscle wasting and organ damage,” Dr Pillai said.
The human body can survive for surprisingly long periods of time without food, even up to several weeks, depending on an individual's build. “Typically, a person can survive without water for around three to seven days, depending on environmental conditions and physical activity levels,” Dr. Pillai points out.
Complete fasting can lead to rapid weight loss, but it comes with significant health risks and should not be undertaken lightly. Strict medical supervision This is to mitigate potential hazards and ensure safety,” Dr Pillai said.