Hi everyone,
Has anyone tried a prolonged water fast to see if it improves their IBS symptoms?
If so, what was your experience?
I'm thinking of building up to a 7-day fast, gradually.
Previously, I tried a "juice cleanse" (I made it to 9 days) because the bloating was getting worse. Considering I have issues with sugar, it makes sense that it only made things worse.
Thank you,
Eniko
I have tried for one day only. I didn’t find that it helped, sorry. Seven days sounds rather a long time and it’s likely you would need medical supervision.
I’ve tried one-day fasts multiple times in the past, but I always waited months before trying again because I never noticed a positive difference. Instead, I usually ended up feeling really bloated by the end of the fast.
But last month, I did two 24-hour fasts just a few days apart, and something felt different. It didn’t help with the bloating, but for the first time since my gallbladder removal, I stopped experiencing that intense hunger pain—whether from eating and still feeling painfully hungry or from waiting too long to eat.
Yes, 7 days is a lot, but I hope that if my body gets used to fasting, it will be a piece of cake.
I am a little off topic in my reply to you . I read you had SIBO and your GB removed. I had SIBO , gas, cramps, d for around 6 years which changed to c and my bowel was stretched. elongated and floppy. Had my GB out 6 months ago due to cholecystitis caused by a blocked bile duct. My IBS symptoms disappeared and I was always hungry.My weight was fairly constant before, but I have put on half a stone due to eating more.Now on a mission to stop over eating and return to my previous healthy weight. Did your diet change after GB removal and did you gain weight? Thanks.
Oh wow, I’m glad to hear that your SIBO issues have resolved! I've been thinking that I might have problems with my bile duct since the surgery hasn’t resolved my SIBO.
YES!! I was very thin until 2023 (the year of my surgery), but because I’ve been feeling hungry all the time, I started eating a lot and gained 7 kg. I still look normal, but I’m not happy with my new body.
If you don’t want to try fasting, I can recommend something else I just tried for bloating. I drank a cup of beetroot juice every morning for four days before eating, and it reduced my appetite even further.
Thank you for the beetroot tip. I am still a healthy BMI, but prefer to be 7 lbs lighter as I was before.My SIBO was treated with antibiotics which worked well. We still can make gallstones, despite having the gall bladder removed. Starvation diets and serious fasting is bad for those without a gall bladder.I read that a low fat diet is best with frequent small meals, in order to avoid stones reforming. I certainly ate far more since my GB has been removed. I am going to try a,low fat diet Mediterranean diet, no butter, no chocolate, no cakes or buscuits, small amount of carbs and only a very occasional glass of wine. Aiming to lose a pound a week or pound a fortnight. I will try a slow fix. Good luck.
No....I wouldn't want to go without water for any length of time, it's crucial for our bodies and it keeps the bowels moving. I'd have headaches and feel tired if I didn't drink water.
What I meant is that I only drink water while doing it. Actually, you can have coffee too, if I'm not mistaken.
Fasting from water is highly dangerous for the body. It could result in kidney damage, constipation, kidney infections and collapse. The body can’t function without a regular amount of water. It is highly unlikely to be causing your IBS unless the minerals in your local water are an irritant. Try filtering your water instead using a carbon water filter.
I think you will find that you SHOULD NOT fast for more than 2 days without medical supervision as this could cause problems with your organs.
I might try to find someone to help with this. Thank you!
Yes, I think you should to be on the safe guard. I wish you well
well there’s a Reddit page where many people fast for 2+ days . I can’t see how it would cause organ damage , if your dehydrated your lacking essential minerals even vitamin d anyway.
I didn't say it would cause organ damage, I said it could do. Read NHS not Reddit
I don’t have much faith in NHS. After several years of symptoms and baffling symptoms no one picked up several out of rnager markers in my blood tests. Short google search found many studies showing all same link. I supplemented accordingly good for emergencies very poor for overall health unfortunately it’s fumbled all to drugs what make money…
I don't think many people have much faith in nhs lately Starfish, but I also like to read what they say. Healthline also said you should be monitored if you want to fast for 7 days because it could cause organ failure. I do wish you well and hope you eventually get yourself sorted.
I have sorted myself out. It’s why I post here getting the right amount dos vitamin D and essential minerals as ‘cured’ me
That's great news. Well done
Does anyone know if bottled water affects different to tap water? I only drink still bottled water after living in Spain for many yrs and getting used to it
Hi
First tell your practitioner your plans, see what they say… make sure you prep by eating clean whole foods before you start for at least 1 week prior then maybe mono juice day before it maybe not fruit .. keep a journal.. fasting is great for the body as it allows healing while abstinence from eating.. do not gulp water down, have a colonic enema night before cleaning the colon will also help… bottled water with slices of chosen fruit steeped for 4 hours is beneficial watch A Healthy Alternative for factual support and information
Do not over exert yourself read meditate and watch things of positivity abstain from social media and negativity, the mental peace and clarity will allow your mind to become stronger and more focused..if religious 🙏🏽 and read some testimonies
Throw out any processed foods so after your fast you are not tempted to reach for them
And continue clean eating ..as the aim is to heal your gut so no longer consuming a diet that is destroying your enzymes micro biome helpful bacteria etc..
Fasting is a positive approach to the start of a new way of life … changing how and what we eat is a battle but over time with support and determination you will witness improvements in your body, and soul
Thank you for your kind and caring words! I really appreciate it.
I don't have a practitioner at the moment, but I will look for someone experienced in fasting.
I eat clean food most of the time. Occasionally, I enjoy a piece of cake, but everything I eat is made from scratch, including the sauces. My digestive system is very sensitive to everything, so I don't have much of a choice. I've had digestive issues since I was very young, and I have a niece with similar problems, so I guess it's somehow in our DNA. But I will never give up on improving it!
The mono juice diet with vegetables is actually a good idea. I will also definitely make sure not to eat too many acidic foods in the week leading up to it.
The colonic enema is causing a lot of pain, so I'm not sure I'll be able to do that.
I'm planning to incorporate everything you mentioned, like meditation, positivity, etc. I’m sure it will help me get through it.
I’ve even planned what I would eat after a 24-hour fast—it’s very important. I tend to experience a lot of pain eating animal products after fasting, so I will definitely avoid them.
I want to do this fasting because I've been dieting for years and it hasn't made a huge difference in my life. Hopefully, with healing, I’ll experience less pain from eating fiber, for example.
Thank you again for your kindness.
All the best,
Eniko
fasting is great especially short periods. Overall you would be far greater benefited from adequate vitamin d and essential minerals .
I have been taking them for a while and there is no difference. I also eat healthy and unfortunately, it’s not enough in my case.
How much do you have IU of vitamin d and do you know about elemental magnesium
I tried different dose of vitamin ds. Right now I have been using a liposomal spray and my daily dose is about 4000 IU. I also take high dose of vitamin b-s. I have tried lots of forms of magnesium. The liposomal one helped me with sleeping. I also take l-glutamine.
I can’t drink water direct from the tap it gives me terrible diarrhoea
I tried a couple of days I think it was? it was a while ago now, and started getting burning pains in my stomach before the end, so stopped early and ate something easily digestible which settled the pain fairly quickly. No idea what was wrong because I'd tried 24-hour fasts in the past with no issue before getting IBS, but wouldn't recommend, but of course everyone's unique.
It sounds like acid. I will try it as last resort. 
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