THERAPEUTIC FASTING

Abstract

Abstract. Twenty obese patients were studied during total fast or on a diet of about 200 calories. The weight reduction was almost the same during the different periods. It was easier for the patients to eat 100 g lean meat a day than to receive no calories at all. In none of the cases was hunger any problem. Complications in the form of oedema, weakness, hair loss, and in one case polyneuritis were observed during total fast, but never when small amounts of protein were given. Repeated analyses were made of the ketone bodies in blood and urine, breath acetone, plasma free fatty acids, plasma triglycerides, plasma cholesterol, blood lactate, blood glucose, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, serum urate, plasma proteins, and electrolytes in serum and urine.