Effect of 1-week fasting on some blood values in man

Abstract

Närvänen S, Frankberg-Lakkala H, Meurman JH. Effect of 1-week fasting on some blood values in man. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1994; 54: 301-4.

Fifty-eight voluntary and healthy subjects (mean age 42.3 + 11.2 years) participated in 7-day supervized fasting trial during which only fruit and berry juices, tea and water were consumed. Venous blood was drawn before and after 1-week fasting and 3 months after the termination of the trial. The subjects' body weight and blood pressure values were also recorded. The results showed a statistically significant decrease in blood thrombocyte counts after 1-week fasting (p < 0.05), while a significant increase was observed in serum beta-hydroxybu-tyrate and alanine aminotransferase activities (p < 0.001). All other blood values, including glucose and creatinine, remained stable throughout the trial.

Key Words:

• blood chemistry
• fasting
• metabolism