Actually, you started therapeutic fasting because you wanted to feel good. It was supposed to heal you and help you detoxify. So far everything is going well, if only there weren't these massive headaches during fasting. What can you do about it and where does the headache even come from? Let's take a close look at that today!
It is supposed to be healthy, relieve the intestines and restore the acid-base balance. And quite besides also still a few kilos purzeln - in theory the chamfering cure sounds simply fantastically.
In practice, however, you feel listless, lacking energy and have a terrible headache.
You're not alone in this, by the way. Headaches are one of the most common side effects of fasting cures.
But the good news is that you can do something about it. If you follow a few tips and tricks, the headache will quickly disappear and you can devote yourself to fasting.
Table of contents
Why do you get a headache when you don't eat?
If you go without food, the head starts throbbing because the blood sugar game drops. Likewise, headaches are a symptom of hunger.
The throbbing in your head is also a sign that your body is changing metabolism. This can increase uric acid levels and cause headaches.
Uric acid is broken down by our kidneys; if they have too little fluid available, the concentration in the body remains high.
And since you are abstaining from solid food during fasting, this very phenomenon occurs.
If you already have frequent headaches when you don't eat, even without fasting, have it checked out by a doctor. In your case, it could be very important to eat regularly. Maybe a fasting cure is not a good idea for you.
What can you do to prevent fasting headaches?
If you regularly reach for the coffee cup, i.e. drink at least one cup every day, you should already wean your body off it one to two weeks before the actual fasting cure.
Caffeine withdrawal is the most common cause of headaches during fasting.
With this measure, you can start the fasting period completely unencumbered.
If it's already too late for that, you'll just have to push through. Caffeine headaches usually last 3 days on, then they disappear just as quickly as they came.
But beware: coffee withdrawal can Blockages favor. The body is used to coffee as a laxative. If you suddenly stop drinking the hot beverage, your digestion may go on strike.
Drinking plenty of fluids and eating a large amount of fiber - from vegetables, for example - can help manage this problem.
If you get used to caffeine before fasting, your digestion will return to normal after a while. How long it takes varies from person to person. If in doubt, talk to a doctor about this problem. Also at the pharmacy there are many products that can support you.
Constipation is exactly the opposite of what we want to achieve when fasting!
Why no coffee during fasting?
Coffee can have a stimulating effect on the body. It helps to stay awake and focused and provides energy. But that's exactly what fasting wants to avoid: the body should get rest and relaxation - not more stimulation!
Also, caffeine has been shown to increase hunger pangs during fasting. And that's not what you want either!
So if you want your fast to go as smoothly as possible, you should cut out coffee before and during your fast.
There are many other delicious drinks that do not contain caffeine or stimulants - such as herbal teas or mineral water with lemon juice.
Some fasting guides say that you can drink coffee. However, you should do without it. The point of fasting is to rid yourself of indulgent toxins. If you don't eat solid food, the acidity of coffee can irritate your stomach.
And the intense flavors of the hot drink also do not fit into the Lenten season, when we learn to listen to our bodies.
By the way, a throbbing head can also be a sign, That you are going through sugar withdrawal right now!
How to start with Buchinger therapeutic fasting!
What to do about headaches during fasting?
As soon as you get a headache, grab a big glass of water. There's a good chance you have a headache due to dehydration.
Rosemary tea, and ginger tea are effective against fatigue and stimulate the circulation.
You should do this if you have a headache during fasting:
- Drink enough
- Do not drink only water
- Make sure you get enough minerals
- Completely empty the bowel
- Reduce stress
- Fill up with fresh air
- Do not overestimate yourself
Drink enough
If you experience dizziness, aching limbs, skin rashes or headaches while fasting, it may also be because you are not drinking enough.
If you do not drink enough fluids, toxins and metabolic waste products cannot be removed from your body.
The lack of fluid causes the blood vessels in the brain to contract. The result is a headache.
Especially during fasting, your body needs a lot of liquid. Make sure you drink about 3 liters per day - slowly throughout the day. You can drink teas, water, diluted vegetable juices, vegetable broths. About one third of the liquid should be water.
Do not drink only water
Water is important during fasting, of course, but it shouldn't be the only thing you drink.
The minerals and trace elements your body needs are contained in herbal teas, diluted vegetable juices and vegetable broths. Thus, your body is supplied with important vitamins, minerals and trace elements during fasting.
If you drink too much water, every time you go to the toilet you also flush out many minerals, such as sodium, magnesium, potassium. If you also take laxatives, you increase this effect.
Therefore, make sure you drink enough fluids, but don't overdo it with pure water.
Make sure you get enough minerals
Fasting can also cause headaches due to mineral deficiency. Sodium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C are particularly affected. Especially when fasting lasts longer than four days, this can happen.
If you want to prevent this side effect, you can take minerals as a preventive measure. It also helps to salt the vegetable broth - at least this will replenish your sodium stores.
There are special dietary supplements that can provide you with the missing minerals. You can either take these base citrates as a capsule or stir them into vegetable juices as a powder.
Others swear by alkaline baths with sea salt and Baking soda*. By the way, you don't have to buy expensive products for this, a Alkaline bath additive you can easily make yourself.
Empty the bowel completely
Headaches can sometimes be caused by constipation or diarrhea during fasting.
With many humans the digestion comes during the chamfering cure confused - no miracle, since solid food is omitted.
When digestion comes to a standstill, stool residues often remain in the intestines. That is why most fasting cures are initiated with laxatives.
Keep an eye on your digestion. Enemas can help with constipation, which, by the way, can also be done at home.
Reduce stress
Stress hormones can also cause headaches during fasting. Stress causes blood vessels in the brain to constrict, which leads to headaches. Therefore, it is important that you relax during fasting and find ways to effectively relieve stress.
Take some time for yourself every day: Go for a walk in nature, treat yourself to a relaxing massage or do yoga and breathing exercises.
Everyday worries, excitement and too much effort have a very negative effect on the body. Even more so if you do not eat solid food during this time.
That is why many do not fast at home, but retreat to a monastery, fasting hikes or a fasting hotel. The advantage in this is also that one is among like-minded people and can support each other.
If you are fasting at home, don't let yourself get out of control. Plan fixed periods of rest where you retreat to meditate, walk and relax.
Can you lose weight with fasting?
Get fresh air
Fresh air can also help with stress-related headaches and digestive problems. If possible, do some exercise in the fresh air every day during your fast, such as jogging or walking.
This not only provides your body with oxygen, but you can also distract yourself from everyday life. A change of scenery helps many people get back on track!
The more you move, the better it is for your circulation. This stimulates the body and can make fasting much easier. Exercise of any kind gets the circulation going, which leads to more oxygen in the tissues and expels waste better.
If you stay on the sofa, you will feel weak, get a bad mood and a headache. The success of fasting will not happen and you will be left with a bad feeling.
The preferred form of exercise while fasting is walking. Walk briskly and as long as you like. Breathe deeply and enjoy nature in all its glory.
A walk through the forest naturally has a much more intense effect than one along the road.
Do not overestimate yourself
Fasting is a challenge for your body, no matter how fit you are. Especially if it's your first time, don't push yourself too hard and make sure you get enough rest in between.
It helps to observe your body well during the fast and listen to its signals. If you feel that you are exerting yourself too much and need a break, take it!
It's always better to take regular breaks than to completely burn yourself out trying to do more than you can handle.
Stop fasting if headache persists
In some cases, the headache comes from an underlying condition that existed before the fast. In this case, you should definitely talk to a doctor and stop the fasting cure after consultation. You are in particularly good hands with a special fasting doctor!
Special case: headaches during interval fasting
Things are different when you get a headache during interval fasting. Except for the word "fasting", these two methods have nothing to do with each other.
Intermittent fasting means that you eat in intervals - the most common is the 16:8 method. You fast for 16 hours a day, the remaining hours you can eat as usual.
By the way, it is anything but rare that headaches occur during the changeover to Intermittent Fasting. You should follow two tips
- Eat fats
- Drink enough
Fats against headaches
During the time of food intake, you should pay attention to what you eat. It makes no sense to go for candy bars and the like now. Try to absorb the calories from fats. Then the body is not dependent on sugar as an energy source. Sugar causes your blood sugar level to drop rapidly, which can lead to headaches.
Healthy fats keep blood sugar levels steady and prevent those blood sugar headaches. Considered particularly good: Canola oil, olive oil, hemp oil, linseed oil, nuts, seeds, avocados, fatty fish and olives.
7 weeks interval fasting in the self-test!
Drink enough
We have already had this topic. Even with interval fasting, dehydration is the most common cause of headaches. Those who drink little have slower digestion and ensure that the body can not work smoothly.
The same applies here: water, teas, fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Instead, little coffee and no alcohol.
If you find it hard to drink enough, set reminders or always have a water jug within reach.
Our conclusion
In any case, fasting headaches should not be taken lightly. If the tips here don't help, you should reconsider your fasting regimen - in consultation with a doctor!
This is especially essential for Intermittent Fasting. It may happen that such a rhythm does not fit into everyday life and causes undesirable side effects such as headaches.
In this case, it makes sense to find another method or to back out.
Good luck!
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