Safety of 72-Hour Fasting Without Medical Supervision

Risks and Considerations of Extended Fasting

Prolonged fasting (>48 hours) can lead to hypoglycemia with blood glucose levels potentially dropping below 60 mg/dl, which requires immediate breaking of the fast, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 2

Individuals with diabetes are at particularly high risk of severe complications during extended fasting and should be strongly advised against unsupervised fasting, according to the American Diabetes Association 2
Those with liver disease, especially Child class C cirrhosis, should not attempt fasting as it may lead to complications including encephalopathy, ascites, and elevated bilirubin, as stated by the European Association for the Study of the Liver 3
Patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding should avoid extended fasting, as advised by the European Association for the Study of the Liver 3
Liver transplant recipients should only fast under meticulous medical supervision with modified medication regimens and guaranteed fluid intake, as recommended by the European Association for the Study of the Liver 4, 5

Safe fasting requires the ability to monitor blood glucose levels multiple times daily, especially for those with any metabolic concerns, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 2
Individuals must be prepared to immediately break their fast if hypoglycemia (blood glucose <60 mg/dl) occurs, as there is no guarantee levels won't continue to drop, according to the American Diabetes Association 2

Individuals interested in fasting should consult healthcare providers before attempting extended fasts, particularly those with any underlying health conditions, as advised by the American Diabetes Association 2
For those determined to fast, proper education on self-monitoring, recognition of warning signs, and when to break a fast are essential safety measures, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 2