Therapeutic Fasting

The study conducted by G. Rooth and S. Carlström involved 20 obese patients who underwent either a total fast or a diet of approximately 200 calories. The weight loss achieved was similar in both groups, but patients found it easier to consume 100 g of lean meat daily than to fast completely. Hunger was not reported as an issue in any case. However, complications such as oedema, weakness, hair loss, and polyneuritis were observed during total fasting, but not when small amounts of protein were included in the diet. The study also involved repeated analyses of various metabolic parameters, including ketone bodies, plasma free fatty acids, and blood glucose, among others.