The risks of the Daniel Fast stem from starving the body of necessary nutrients. The Daniel Fast is a religion-inspired fast, or period of self-imposed semi-starvation, meant to increase spiritual awareness. The Daniel Fast allows fruits, vegetables and water. No other beverages are allowed, and sweeteners, dairy and leavened products are forbidden during the fast.
Drop in Energy and Blood Sugar
When pastas, leavened breads and animal proteins are suddenly removed from the diet, a shift in energy production begins. In the book "Biochemistry," the authors report that human carbohydrate reserves are used within one day. Even though the Daniel Fast allows fruits and vegetables as a source of carbohydrates, the shift in each individual's dieting methods may be enough to put the body in starvation mode. This shift may cause a fluctuation in blood sugars and energy levels. To maintain bodily function, the metabolic rate, or rate at which food and fat is burned for energy, will decrease, as reported in the book "Biochemistry."
Lean Muscle Degeneration
After a massive change in dietary habits, such as the Daniel Fast, the body will think it is being starved. With a lack of ingested proteins, the body will burn fats and use those fatty acids to support the function of the major organs. Once this source of energy is depleted, which is dependent on initial body mass and fat content, the body will start using skeletal muscle mass for energy. The skeletal muscles are a raw source of lean protein and can be used by the body for energy and substance in times of semi-starvation. A study published in the journal "Lipids in Health and Disease" showed a remarkable decrease in protein levels and HDL, or the good cholesterol, after a 21 day Daniel Fast.
Susceptibility to Illness
Although the Daniel Fast does not incorporate true starvation, those on a Western diet prior to the fast may be shocking their system. The process of using proteins and fatty acids for energy results in a build up of ketones, which can lead to an acidotic state. During acidosis, the kidneys and lungs are overtaxed trying to remove the additional acids from the body and restore a state of pH balance. While the body is working to maintain an energy source and remove acid waste, the immune system is left behind. The Daniel Fast study reported in "Lipids in Health and Disease" isolated the fact that the soldiers of the immune system, the white blood cells, dramatically decrease in volume during this fast.
References
- Daniel-fast.com: What is the Daniel Fast?
- McGraw Hill: Starvation
- Vanderbilt University: To Fast or Not to Fast?
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Food Intake and Starvation Induce Metabolic Changes
- PubMed.gov: Effect of a 21 Day Daniel Fast on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Men and Women
- McGraw Hill: Acidosis and Alkalosis
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