Interesting experiment I inadvertently did.
On Good Friday during Holy Week, I fasted from sun up to sun down.
And even though I had a balanced dinner and took my sleeping herbs and aminos and progesterone, I woke up at 3am. Finally went back to sleep and woke up again with a HOT FLASH which I haven’t had in months! Then when it was time to get up in the morning I was naturally exhausted, but I could tell my waking temperature and pulse were low and my hands and feet were cold and clammy.
All signs of hypothyroid even though I had brought balance to all of this with progesterone, walking, weights, balanced calories and T3 and a thyroid glandular.
What’s my point?
Even doing all of the right things that have helped bring balance for months, none of it could help recuperate what one day of fasting had done.
The lack of fuel had slowed my metabolism so much that it set me back.
But I can see how these negative aspects can be overlooked because though I woke up tired, within minutes I felt full of energy and clear headed. And of course, I lost a couple of pounds, yes even in that short amount of time.
I am not sharing this to say this is what happens to everyone. In fact one day of fasting should not throw a person’s body into such a state of imbalance but I believe I am still in a phase of healing my body from years of under-eating and poor liver function. The average healthy person should be able to go without food intermittently without quite the backlash that I experienced. But I am sharing because I know, my circle of listeners and readers are more closely aligned with suffering through imbalances and health issues than with thriving and this could be helpful for those who suffer with insomnia while gaining the benefits of fasting.
And so if it my experience sounds familiar this could be why;
In my last podcast episode with Dr Tabrizian he mentions a discovery and a paper put out out by the World Journal of Diabetes stating;
Estrogens and their main action in the body is probably the sustained control of core energy metabolism. 🤯🤯🤯🤯
The effects of estrogens on glucose and energy handling are mediated through four coordinated actions: (1) Protection and facilitation of insulin secretion and function in the control of glucose availability to tissues; (2) Modulation of energy partition, favoring the use of lipid as the main energy substrate when their availability is higher than that of carbohydrates; (3) Functional protection through antioxidant mechanisms; and (4) Central effects on whole body energy metabolism and homeostasis maintenance.
read paper HERE
This is AMAZING! And pushes against the mainstream narrative in general, if you ask ANY medical professional to describe estrogen this is the answer; “Estrogen is a steroid hormone that plays a key role in the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics.”
Just as with progesterone; “Progesterone plays a crucial role in regulating the menstrual cycle, preparing the uterus for pregnancy, and maintaining pregnancy.”
How can so many “experts” get it so wrong? While those statements are true, how could they skip over such important functions of those two ‘sex’ hormones.
The paper from the diabetes journal forgets to mention that when progesterone doesn't balance out estrogen, regulating glucose metabolism might not work properly. This shows how important it is to keep a balance between these two hormones.
So what does this have to do with my fasting experience?
In individuals experiencing metabolic issues such as insulin resistance, insomnia, inflammation, obesity, or high stress levels, skipping meals, fasting for extended periods, or eliminating entire food groups like healthy carbohydrates can trigger the body's fight or flight response. This leads to the release of emergency hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, aldosterone, and epinephrine. These hormones signal the body to down-regulate thyroid function, disrupting the usual calm energy production processes. Such disruptions in metabolic function may potentially impact estrogen metabolism, as discussed in the paper. Contributing to yet more estrogen imbalance and hormone dysregulation.
While the paper may simplify the role of estrogen in energy metabolism. Thyroid hormones, insulin, and mitochondria also play crucial roles in regulating metabolism. Estrogen's effects on glucose metabolism are part of a complex interplay involving multiple hormones and cellular processes. While the paper highlights estrogen's influence, it's essential to consider the broader context of metabolic regulation, including the contributions of thyroid hormones, insulin, and mitochondrial function.
My fasting experience underscores the complexity of metabolic regulation. In individuals with metabolic issues like insulin resistance or obesity, fasting can trigger a stress response, leading to hormonal imbalances and disrupted energy production. These disruptions may affect estrogen metabolism, emphasizing the interconnectedness of hormonal, metabolic, and physiological processes.
This serves as yet another reminder to approach fasting or low-carb diets with caution. While fasting may offer short-term benefits, it's important to consider the potential long-term consequences before adopting this approach as a regular practice.
"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul." -3 John 1:2
Great post!