Water Fast Coaching and Nutritional Therapy

Dr. Tallis Barker | Extended Water Fasting Specialist | Registered Nutritional Therapist | Associate Naturopath

Extended Water Fast Coaching | Dr. Tallis Barker

ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORT · ONLINE WORLDWIDE

Water Fast Coaching with Dr Tallis Barker

If you are planning an extended water fast, already fasting, or want experienced support with preparation and refeeding, I offer one-to-one coaching throughout the whole process.

My coaching is built around the fast you are actually doing. We prepare carefully, stay in regular contact as the fast develops, make decisions when circumstances change, and work through the refeeding period afterwards.

Extended fasting is not appropriate for everyone. Medical conditions, medication, nutritional status and other individual factors may need to be considered before fasting.

Water fasting is simple in principle. Longer fasts are rarely quite so simple in practice.

Questions can arise before the fast even begins: how to prepare, how long to fast, whether medication or an existing health condition changes the picture, and what practical arrangements need to be made.

Once the fast is underway, other questions appear. Energy levels change. Symptoms come and go. Sleep, digestion, hydration, mood and physical sensations can all fluctuate. Sometimes everything develops exactly as expected; sometimes the original plan needs to be reconsidered.

The purpose of coaching is not simply to encourage you to keep going.

It is to give you an experienced point of reference throughout the process: someone who knows prolonged fasting well, can help put what you are experiencing into context, and can help you decide what makes sense as the fast develops.

A longer fast is not automatically a better fast. The important question is what is appropriate for the person actually fasting.

Not necessarily. Many people manage shorter fasts independently, particularly if they are healthy, experienced and already know how their body responds.

Coaching becomes more useful with longer fasts, first extended fasts, complex health histories, medication, previous difficulties, or uncertainty around refeeding.

People often come to me because they are unsure how to interpret what is happening during a fast, whether the original plan still makes sense, or how best to manage the return to food.

For some, a single consultation is enough. Others prefer regular support throughout the fast and refeeding period.

The longer or more complex the fast, the more valuable experienced support can become.

Single Consultation — $140 USD

Every full coaching relationship begins with a 60-minute individual online consultation, but you can also book the consultation completely on its own.

We can use the session to discuss your particular situation, including:

  • previous fasting experience
  • the fast you are considering
  • your reasons for fasting
  • relevant health history and medication
  • preparation
  • possible fasting length
  • concerns arising during a fast already underway
  • refeeding
  • whether full coaching would actually be useful for you

The consultation also includes email follow-up for immediate questions arising afterwards.

If you decide to continue into full coaching, the $140 consultation fee is deducted from the full coaching price.

There is no obligation to continue.

Full Coaching for Any Length of Water Fast

We use the consultation to establish the initial plan and look at the practical preparation for the fast ahead.

This includes your previous experience, health history, aims, timing, fasting length and any individual factors that may affect the way you approach the fast.


Regular video check-ins

You have 15–20 minute video calls each day, except Wednesdays and Sundays. On Wednesdays, support continues through live chat.

These conversations provide an opportunity to discuss how the fast is developing, raise questions and consider whether anything in the original plan needs to change.

Unlimited email and text support

Questions do not always wait for the next scheduled call.

You can contact me by email or message as issues arise during the fast.

Emergency contact access

Full coaching clients also receive a direct contact number for urgent fasting-related concerns.

The purpose of this support is not to push you towards a predetermined number of days. Sometimes the right decision is to continue; sometimes the plan needs to be adapted.


A fast does not end simply because the last fasting day is over.

The transition back to food is an important part of the process, particularly after a longer fast, and initial refeeding support is included in every full coaching package.

As a general guide, the supported refeeding period lasts approximately one third of the length of the fast, although the actual approach depends on the individual fast and how you respond.

There is no additional coaching charge when the fasting period ends and refeeding begins.


• Products & Procedures – Essentials for comfort & safety
• How to Break a Water Fast – Step-by-step refeeding guide
• Dealing with Detox Symptoms – How to navigate issues including nausea and headache

Every full coaching package includes support during the fast and through the initial refeeding period afterwards.

Example: For a 14-day fast, payment covers both the fast itself as well as about five days of refeeding afterwards. No further payments are required once the fast has ended and refeeding begins.

If you have already paid for your initial consultation, the $140 consultation fee is deducted from the prices below.

Length of fastPrice
(includes the refeeding period)
3-day fast (+ refeeding)$350
5-day fast (+ refeeding)$400
7-day fast (+ refeeding)$500
10-day fast (+ refeeding)$650
14-day fast (+ refeeding)$850
21-day fast (+ refeeding)$1200
28-day fast (+ refeeding)$1500
30-day fast (+ refeeding)$1600
40-day fast (+ refeeding)$2000
Other lengths of fastPrice to be agreed

* PRICE INCLUDES BOTH THE FAST AND THE REFEEDING PERIOD AFTERWARDS
* Payment plans available

Dr Tallis Barker, D.Phil., NT.Dip., Nat.Dip. has more than fifteen years of personal fasting experience and has worked with over 1,000 clients internationally, supporting water fasts ranging from 3 to 40 days.

He is a registered Nutritional Therapist with the Federation of Nutritional Therapy Practitioners and a registered Associate Naturopath with the Society of Naturopaths.

His work in extended fasting also includes published case research, teaching and international speaking.

Some clients come to me for their first extended fast. Others have already fasted independently and want more experienced support for a longer or more demanding fast.

Many also come with persistent or complex health histories.

Over the years I have worked with clients living with digestive and gut problems, SIBO, post-viral illness and Long Covid, autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, chronic fatigue, cancer, metabolic and hormonal concerns, reproductive health problems and a wide range of other long-standing health issues.

These situations need to be considered individually. The name of a diagnosis alone does not tell us whether fasting is appropriate, what length of fast makes sense, or how a particular person will respond.

For that reason, I do not use a single standard fasting protocol for everyone.

Water fasting coaching does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment, and medical input may be necessary in some circumstances.

Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I have now completed a 7-day and most recently a 21-day water-only fast while working with Dr. Tallis Barker. There is no way I could have done these fasts successfully on my own. Tallis is very knowledgeable, understanding, and kind. He guided me through the whole process—pre-fast, during the fast, and post-fast—so that I felt safe and confident throughout. I would never attempt a long water fast without his guidance. If you are going to do a fast, I highly recommend working with Dr. Tallis Barker.
Posted on Google Google
Shawn M profile picture
Shawn M
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Tallis is a fantastic water fasting (and dry fasting) coach. Having suffered from long covid for almost a year, I underwent a 4 week fast under his guidance. He always reassured me, explained everything and guided me before, during and after the fast. Thank you Tallis - I will definitely use you as a coach for any future fasts. I cannot recommend him enough.
Posted on Google Google
honey badgers profile picture
honey badgers
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Tallis was so helpful for my fasting experience; the support was absolutely necessary for me to succeed. It was just what I needed to get through it, he was more than informative, and very personable to work with. He was also flexible when I had some scheduling difficulties. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone interested in pursuing fasting for their health needs.
Posted on Google Google
Megan Mann profile picture
Megan Mann
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Tallis is a trusted expert who makes the water fast experience safe and successful.
Posted on Google Google
Eben Gregory profile picture
Eben Gregory
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Tallis helped coach me through a 40 day water fast recently. His daily guidance was strengthening, informative, and encouraging. He is very in-tune with the human body along with the fasting experience. Tallis provides a calm and steady hand through an experience that can be jostling and shaky. I can say that I needed him, for certain. And I’m not sure if I could have done it without him. I would recommend Tallis to anybody. Thank you for your work, Tallis.
Posted on Google Google
Shaun Hunt profile picture
Shaun Hunt
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Tallis is a wonderful fasting guide. I was lucky enough to have his guidance over a 37-day water-only fast, and having the support of his expertise and his belief in my ability to complete the fast got me through some very difficult moments. Tallis is unusual in having a deep knowledge of the literature and science of fasting coupled with a sense of humility, lightness, and spirituality about the discipline. At every step of the way Tallis was able to recognize and explain any side effect I experienced, and I was able to shed any fear that I had thanks to his guidance. Our video calls were a real lifeline, and I absolutely would not have wanted to go through this process without such a kind, warm-hearted expert virtually by my side.
Posted on Google Google
Claire Lehmann profile picture
Claire Lehmann
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I've completed both 21 and 14 day fasts with Tallis this year. I would never have been able to accomplish either fast without Tallis! He's incredibly knowledgeable and easy to speak with. I appreciate that he is not only there for you during the fast, but also helps with the before and after. I always felt like I was in good hands and he put to ease every concern or question I had. For anyone who is wondering if they should take the leap, do it! It has been an amazing experience.
Posted on Google Google
Jennifer Palomares profile picture
Jennifer Palomares
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
This is my second 7 day water fast experience with Tallis. First was pretty difficult because I was in really bad shape from Long COVID but in the long run it was a critical component of regaining health. This second was a year later was to reinforce and strengthen my healing trajectory. I’ve told Tallis both times he deserves a humanitarian reward for virtually holding the faster hands with encouragement, hope, and his extensive knowledge about the process. I’m about two weeks post fast and I’ve already noticed some hanging on symptoms disappearing in regards to my heart beat and to odd muscle twitches. I’m so grateful I found him! And hope to do this yearly as it has become a sacred process.
Posted on Google Google
Erin Moug profile picture
Erin Moug
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I recently took on a 40 day fast with Dr. Tallis’ help. Whether you’re motivated by the Spirit or just addressing physical issues I would highly recommend Tallis. He helped me navigate the unknown and truly put my anxieties at ease with his experience and willingness to get help get through. We are fundamentally outside of the initial re-feeding window. He blessed my fast and my exit path. Many blessings!
Posted on Google Google
Peter P profile picture
Peter P
Verified by Trustindex
Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

No.
Someone who is healthy, experienced and undertaking a relatively short fast may feel perfectly comfortable fasting independently.
Coaching becomes particularly useful for longer fasts, first extended fasts, more complex health histories, previous difficulty with fasting or refeeding, or simply when you want an experienced point of reference available throughout the process.

There is no single ideal length.
Previous fasting experience, health history, medication, nutritional status, body composition, your reasons for fasting and how you respond during the fast all matter.
I therefore look at fasting length individually rather than applying the same protocol to everyone.

Yes.
The $140 consultation can be used entirely as a standalone session. There is no obligation to continue into full coaching.
If you subsequently decide to continue, the consultation fee is deducted from the full coaching cost.

Full coaching includes preparation, regular video check-ins throughout the fast, unlimited email and text support, emergency contact access and support through the initial refeeding period.

Yes.
People sometimes contact me after beginning a fast independently because questions or difficulties have arisen.
For urgent situations, a Premium Consultation can usually be arranged within 24–48 working hours.

That depends on the individual situation.
A consultation allows us to look much more closely at your health history, current circumstances and what you are hoping to achieve. Where medical conditions, medication or other relevant risks are involved, medical input may also be necessary.

Support through initial refeeding is included in full coaching.
Once refeeding is complete, you can finish there or continue working with me through personalized nutritional therapy if you want longer-term support with your diet.

Yes. Consultations and full coaching are provided online, and I work with clients worldwide.

If you are considering a 3-day water fast and do not need one-to-one coaching, Tallis’s online course provides structured guidance through preparation, the fast itself and refeeding.

Check out the
Complete a 3-day water fast
Online Course!

This video + pdf bundle provides you with all you need to know in order to safely, successfully and smoothly carry out your first 3-day water fast. If you already have a little experience, there are plenty of additional tips to help you go deeper into water fasting.

Have a general question about water fasting, preparation or refeeding?

You are welcome to leave your question in the comments below and I will answer when I can.

Answers in the comments provide general educational information rather than individual medical or fasting assessment. Questions involving medication, diagnosed conditions or individual suitability for prolonged fasting may require a consultation and, where appropriate, medical advice.

99 responses to “Extended Water Fast Coaching | Dr. Tallis Barker”

  1. Danielle Spartz Avatar
    Danielle Spartz

    Hi Dr. Tallis – very interested in signing up for a consultation for SIBO, but couldn’t help but notice in looking at your website. Water fasts also address hormonal imbalances and chronic illness- If I were to work with you to do the fast because I just can’t deal with SIBO anymore, would it address hormonal imbalances at the same time?

    1. Hi Danielle,
      Thanks for writing. The quick answer to your question is ‘yes’, but I’ll write to you more in detail via email, since I see you’ve signed up for a single consultation.
      Looking forward to connecting soon,
      Tallis

  2. Hi, was recommended by my sister to see if water fasting could help me. I have now read through more or less your whole website but not found the issue I’m interested in.
    Before I sign up for a 1:1 consultation – I have a vesicovaginal fistula due to radiation treatment many years ago. Do you think fasting can help with tissue regeneration/closing the whole?
    Thanks,
    Dina

    1. Hi Dina,
      Thanks for writing. To answer your question, I think there are different layers of likelihood concerning how quickly fasting can help you. Tissue regeneration is more likely to occur before closing of the fistula, and the whole pace of healing for an issue like this is going to be determined by more fundamental factors, including your general state of health: both past and present. Sorry not to be able to be more specific here, but we’d need to delve into the details to get a better idea. At the very least, fasting is going to lower the likelihood of infection and other complications in the future, and in the best case scenario it might be able to close the fistula itself. (Again, we’d need to talk about the specifics of your case to get a better idea how likely this is, and how much fasting you’d need.)
      Hope this helps,
      Tallis

      1. Thanks for such a fast response! I need to think some more…

  3. Hi D.Barker,
    I found your yt and your website two days ago and it’s amazing. I’ve just completed 17 days wf on my own, but about 11 months ago I did 26 days under Loren Lockman’s supervision, so I had some knowledge to try one on my own. I’m 28 years old but I developed a lot of issues over the last 8 years (PCOS, skin issues, achne, hormonal disbalans and more). I healed a lot but my main health problem is dysbiosis, IBS with almost constant painful bloating and discomfort. It really ruins my life. I’m comming from disfunctional family and my mother died from cancer in 2020 and it was a big trauma for me. Is it possible that I can’t heal myself from digestive issues with wf and raw food diet because the cause is mental aspect? I think we heal a lot of emotional trauma with wf, and I consider doing another one under your supervision as soon as I recover from the last wf, maybe in the summer. What do you think? What is your experience with patients with severe IBS and how long do I need to fast to heal it? (Sorry for my english, it’s not good but I’m trying my best!). Thanks for answer and your precios time, in advance! Much Love, Ana

    1. Hi Ana,
      Thanks for writing – there’s no need to apologise for your English. You express yourself perfectly clearly. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been suffering from so many health issues at such a young age. Yes, emotional/psychological elements often do lie underneath physical illness, but my experience is that the vast majority of my clients can heal from IBS IF – and this is a big ‘if’ – they get both their dietary and fasting protocols right. In fact, an article of mine recently appeared in a peer-reviewed journal on this subject:
      https://jpmhh.org/archive/volume/11/issue/2/article/25641 (Journal of Preventive Medicine and Holistic Health)

      I’ve had many clients come to me after having had no success with water fasting, either by themselves or under the supervision of someone who has very fixed ideas about diet and fasting. This includes clients who first worked with Loren. My experience is that no single diet is the best for all people at all times. You have to look at the individual client, their individual symptoms, and put aside dogma. The same applies to fasting protocol – you can’t just follow the same plan for everyone and expect optimal results!

      If your last extended fast was ‘only’ 17 days, there shouldn’t be a need to wait much longer before considering another extended fast. However, if you’ve been suffering from chronic IBS and if your current diet isn’t working for you, it’s true that you could be suffering from absorption issues which might complicate your fast. This would require a longer discussion (which also includes a more in-depth look at your past health issues) more appropriate in a full consultation. If you’d like to do so, you can sign up here:
      https://waterfasting.org/online-coaching-and-consultations-for-water-fasting/

      I do think you have every reason to be hopeful about using water fasting to help you recover your health. However, it really is important to go about this in an individualised manner!

      All the best,
      Tallis

      1. Thank you very much for your quick response and kind words. I really appreciate every help in this moment. I’m not ready for the new fast because I finished one a few days before, 17 days on my own. I think it wasnt enough and one longer will help me overcome this terrible issue. I really believe in natural hygiene and to me it is clear that if all other spaces don’t cook ther food, why would it be appropriate to men. But maybe you are right that there is a place and time to adopt that diet. I’m only sure that I’ll never again eat animal products, they destroyed my health in many ways. I woder does your refeeding plan contain animal products? I’ve read the article and saw that you started with carrot juice with the female with Sibo. That makes sense. I also agree that Loren has the same refeeding plan for everyone and his plan made me sick and in pain for four months after fast. After this last fast I feel better eating orangies and cucumbers, but still have discomfort and pain in my gut. Because of all that, I started doubting water fast and you gave me a hope, because I really tried everything over the past 5 years and nothing really worked. The goal is not only to be simptom free, but to maintain the highest levels of health to the end of the life. Thanks for everything and I will continue to follow everything you do and in few months when I recover from the last fast, hope to work with you.
        Much love,
        Ana

        1. Hi again Ana,
          The natural hygiene arguments make a lot of sense theoretically – the problem mainly tends to occur when applying them to someone whose health has already been damaged. Yes, it logically makes sense that if all other animals eat raw, then we should too. However, for many people with gut issues, raw food is harder to digest than cooked food (this is a gross simplification, but more or less true). And then there are food sensitivities, some of which can be worse or better when eating raw or cooked. The reality is that homo sapiens (and neanderthals) have used fire – presumable also to cook – for hundreds of thousands of years. Over that time we’ve adapted, using cooked food to increase the spectrum of our diet.

          Also, some of the hygienist theories are unfortunately inconsistent and simply untrue. For instance, if you want to argue that we should never eat meat because of our human biology, then how do you explain the fact that our closest evolutionary cousins – chimpanzees – not only eat grubs but also go out on concerted hunts for meat? Yes, of course they’re primarily vegans, but they don’t exclude animal flesh as a matter of principle – ie dogma. My own clinical observations are that some people can thrive on 100% fully plant-based, but other people do need a certain amount of quality animal products in order to thrive. The problem occurs when our minds get clouded by dogma, and we ignore what our bodies are saying to us. For example, I have a recent client, a long-term vegan, who actually started strongly craving meat after her fast. She tried it, felt really good physically. And now she’s in a huge dilemma, because it’s become clear that her fully plant-based diet is part of the cause of her health issues…

          My own refeeding approach is to start with fruit and vegetables, and then see where the body wants to go. If I have any dogma at all, it’s to try and avoid dogma, and listen instead to what the body is saying – because a lot (if not most) of the time we believe we’re listening to our bodies but actually we’re not!

          Looking forward to hearing from you again when the time is right for you to be thinking about another fast,
          Tallis

          1. Thanks again, Tallis.
            No doubt you have a lot of knowledge and experience and thanks for sharing with us. Me personally never crave meat, egs and dairy since I stopped having them. They always made me constipated. Sometimes I crave cooked potaoes or other vegetables when I cook for my husband but I think it is mental, emotional think, the smells remembers me of my childhood and the times when my mother cooked foor me. I really enjoy being raw vegan but I just wonder if my gut can hendle it. On some days I feel great eating whatever of raw food I want, on some days it makes me terribly painfully bloated, so I must stay in the bed. Sometimes I think it’s not about food I eat, but about my digestion mood on that day. That confuses me a lot. Anyways, I think the water fast is the way so as soon as I get better, I’ll do another, longer one! Thanks a lot again!
            With love,
            Ana

  4. Hi! The last time I did a seven day fast, I lost a lot of hair (it was coming out by the handful). It took over a year for it to grow back. I’m wondering what you suggest so that this doesn’t happen in the future?

    1. Hi Anonymous,
      Thanks for writing. There can be multiple reasons for hair loss through fasting. Some come from the positive impact on stem cell regeneration, but hair loss can also occur as a negative symptom driven by hormonal or nutritional deficiency. Given that in your case a 7-day fast caused hair loss (it happens more frequently after 21-40 day fasts), I’d definitely want to exclude the negative possibilities before you think about fasting again. However, to get to the bottom of this issue would require a much longer conversation – the kind we’d have on a full consultation.
      All the best,
      Tallis

  5. Good day my son has just finished a 14 day water fast he now seems very anxious slow moving and lacks drive he doesn’t even wants to take a shower, also he seems to have a slow reaction to questions. Should i be concerned???

    1. Hi Antom,
      Thanks for writing. I’m afraid it’s very difficult for me to say anything without having worked together with your son through his fast, and without knowing his full health background. In general, energy should start picking up soon after breaking the fast. If this doesn’t happen, it usually indicates a problem with either (1) the refeeding protocol, (2) breaking the fast at the wrong time, or (3) health issues prior to the fast which have not fully resolved through the fast and which are now becoming aggravated by returning to a regular diet.

      Besides this, I’d need to have a full discussion with your son in order to understand what’s going on. The bottom line is that fasting can and should be a powerful force for positive change. But equally, it can and often does get complicated when someone – especially someone with health issues – is fasting without adequate knowledge.
      Hope this helps,
      Tallis

  6. hi
    not sure if you can help,but if so i,ll be happy to enroll
    male 67,on no medication,non smoker,non drinker for some years now
    but have nerve problems in feet/calves
    had every test going but nothing is showing as relevant
    recent bloods all normal apart from low tsh
    suffer and have done so with anxiety for many years and feel everything is amplified with anxiety
    question,,,,would fasting be helpful with this and the neuropathy
    thank you
    jon

    1. Hi Jon,
      Thanks for writing, and sorry about the slow response. I just got back from summer vacation. I’ve worked with many clients suffering from peripheral neuropathy issues, and fasting tends to offer a lot of relief for many people. I recently had a client similar in age and lifestyle to yourself (no meds, no smoking/drinking) who healed from similar symptoms on a 21-day fast. I know thqt probably sounds like a long time, but he even did it with no prior fasting experience. I wouldn’t want to suggest that you need exactly the same protocol – we’d need to look into your case history in a lot more detail first – but I do want to motivate you towards fasting, and experiencing the powerful healing which extended fasting can offer.

      If you’d like to set up a consultation to discuss things further, you can reach me via the coaching page of the website here:
      https://waterfasting.org/online-coaching-and-consultations-for-water-fasting/

      All the best,
      Tallis

  7. Hi Dr. Barker,

    On Tuesday night I came down with the flu. It’s not a stomach flu but I lost my appetite. I thought it would be a good chance to try a water fast. So all I’ve had since Wednesday at noon is water, unsweetened electrolytes, and some mineral drops, some homeopathic medicine (ColdCalm)

    It’s now early Saturday morning and I realized that I haven’t taken my antidepressants or BP medication since Wednesday.

    I suffer from high blood pressure which has gotten pretty unpredictable over the past few months. I’ve had increasing issues with random dizziness which does not seem to be related to a drop in blood pressure. I have issues with digestion where I seem to get bloated no matter what I eat. And, while my body tends to run hot, recently I have felt an overheated sensation which doesn’t go away! (Separate from the low fever I had/have with the flu.)

    I’m wondering if you could comment on how many errors in judgement I’ve made, but I do feel that I’m listening to my body.

    Thanks,

    Arif

    1. Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip. Avatar
      Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip.

      Hi Arif,
      Thanks for writing, and apologies for the delay in responding. Fasting with meds is always potentially tricky, and should ideally involve guidance both from your doctor as well as from a water fasting expert like myself. The fasting symptoms you describe (such as dizziness) can involve multiple causes, and blood pressure may or may not be involved.
      Listening to your body is extremely important both in fasting and in life! The difficulty is that most of us have already lost a lot of that connection and either can’t feel or misinterpret what the body is actually saying.
      Hope you’ve recovered from the flu by now!
      All the best,
      Tallis

      1. Thanks for your reply Dr. Barker,

        tldr: My unplanned 4-day water-fast had dramatic effects on my weight management and eating habits. Cold-turkey withdrawal from an anti-depressant is continuing.

        Before I go into the results of my actions from last week, I wanted to clarify that there are only two types of dizziness that I was referring to above. Neither are related to fasting.

        One is something I had been experiencing with increasing frequency over the past 2 years. At first it seemed to be related to a drop in blood pressure, but with a BP cuff I learned that my blood pressure always went up during those episodes. It could be some kind of vertigo too – not sure. I have been pursuing medical assistance with that but there are no answers yet. I haven’t experienced this again since completing the fast.

        I attribute the other dizziness I mentioned to the deliriousness that accompanies a fever during the period I was unwell last week. But it could also be contributed to by the antidepressant withdrawal.

        Moving on to the fast: I fasted for four days. It was an unplanned fast that I decided to take on when I realized I didn’t have much appetite, which I attributed to the flu. I had never specifically intended to go into ketosis but clearly that happened.

        I added unsweetened electrolytes and baking soda to the regimen. I started the electrolytes on day one. The choice to use baking soda came on day three when I suspected that the kidney pains I was experiencing were due to acid in my urine from high ketone levels. That seems to be helping

        By day four, my face had lost a lot of the doughboy appearance I’ve developed over the last few years. After breaking my fast, I noticed a dramatic difference in what it means to be hungry and what it means to eat. What I mean is, I was fortunate not to have hunger pangs at any time during the fast. And now, I still haven’t been eating in response to hunger. Ok, there is a certain craving to put something in my mouth sometimes. But it’s not connected directly to sensations in my body. So I’m cautiously trying to avoiding eating except when I think I’m actually hungry. My caloric intake is still rather low, but there is no deprivation going on. I have a lot of extra weight to lose (if I want to) so there isn’t really a pressing need to eat calories. So far I’ve been consuming salad, protein/fat (tuna, chicken, salami, cheese, olive oil), some broths, carefully selected health bars that don’t have preservatives (I bought IQ Bars and Aloha bars in the stores last week). I did eat a small amount rice the last couple of days. I continue to drink lots of water as I fight off the residual congestion and dry sinuses from the flu (or from the keto flu, or whatever).

        I am having trouble sleeping: I attribute this mostly to the withdrawal from antidepressants and to having a residual cough from last week. I don’t realy have any evidence that the “withdrawal” is responsible for poor sleep.

        I am currently taking no medications (even ones I’ve been prescribed). Let’s see how that works out!

  8. I am finishing a 10 day water fast tomorrow and considering going right into a 30 day diet of intermittent fasting 20 with a 4 hour eating window. Does this work or should I take some time to adjust after reintroducing food?

    Also,I have been considering doing a keto/paleo/carnivore diet (not sure how strict yet) to stay in ketosis.

    1. Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip. Avatar
      Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip.

      Hi David,
      Thanks for writing. Congratulations on finishing your 10-day water fast. When I’m working with clients, I put a big emphasis on ‘listening to your body’ – and especially during refeeding. Having a ‘plan’ for what to do after a fast is a mental construct which may or may not have anything to do with what your body actually wants. Truly listening to your body isn’t easy, though, when there are habits, plans and other distractions of life clouding your mind. In short, you could try IF, but it’s not for me to say whether it’s what your body actually wants.

      In terms of wanting to stay in ketosis after the fast: that also sounds like a mental construct… One thing I’ll say is that there’s no need to stay in dietary ketosis when you’ve already become much more deeply fat-adapted through your fast.

      Hope this helps,
      Tallis

  9. How can water fasting make a bladder infection worse at first ? Why does that happen I just want to understand it so I know what I’m getting myself into

    1. Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip. Avatar
      Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip.

      This is a very complicated question which I can’t answer fully here, as the situation really varies from person to person – and I don’t want readers to draw general conclusions from individual cases. To summarise, though, the symptoms of a bladder / UTI infection can worsen due to the fast eliciting additional acidity and general toxicity passing through the urine or as a quasi Herxheimer reaction. It’s extremely important to be able to know how far to allow symptoms to develop. In an ideal world you push through and allow the healing process to lead to a recover, but this isn’t always possible – in which case pushing too hard can lead to a deterioration of the underlying situation.
      Tallis

      1. That makes perfect sense thankyou! That’s why when I did a 6 day water fast it wasn’t getting better and felt kinda worse bc all of those acids being released since I know I have lots and lots of toxins stored within me
        So is water fasting a good idea for me at all right now ? I really don’t know how else to get rid of this infection though

        1. Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip. Avatar
          Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip.

          Hi again,
          Like I said in the last reply: this is a complicated question which I can’t answer fully here, as the situation really varies from person to person. This is exactly where a full consultation should come into play – in order to look at the full range of factors driving your specific case. Only after taking the full picture into consideration would it be responsible for me to say whether water fasting might be a good idea for you right now.
          Hope this helps,
          Tallis

  10. I’ve had a chronic bladder infection that doesn’t go away nothing has worked only managed.. could fasting rid it for good ?

    1. Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip. Avatar
      Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip.

      Hi Nicole,
      Thanks for writing. Fasting can certainly help to resolve chronic bladder infections. However, as is true for any form of UTI, things can also get tricky when fasting, with symptoms often worsening before they get better. When I’m working with a client, it’s important to be able to distinguish when you should push through and when you should stop, and this is something which is hard for someone to assess alone.
      Hope this helps,
      Tallis

  11. I’ve heard mixed reviews on the impact of fasting on bone health. As an experienced faster and also one recently diagnosed with osteoporosis, now I’m concerned about attempting an extended fast. I would think that fasting would improve bone density? Your comments would be most helpful going forward.

    1. Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip. Avatar
      Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip.

      Hi DEB,
      Thanks for writing. You’re right about the pros and cons of fasting on bone health. Although the final results of an extended fast are likely to lead to higher bone density (due to stimulating osteoblasts), the fast itself is likely to draw on it. This is because the body uses bone tissue to balance acids in the blood (using the phosphate ion of the calcium phosphate which comprises bone tissue). One underlying reason for osteoporosis is chronic tissue acidity, which forces the body to constantly draw on bone tissue – and during the fast itself this process becomes intensified. However, fasting is likely to lead to a long-term reduction of tissue acidity after the fast, allowing the body to subsequently accumulate more bone tissue in the future – also combined with the beneficial effects of fasting on osteoblasts: the cell which lays down bone in the first place. It would be a question of understanding the specifics of your case in order to determine the best approach to fasting: to find the safest and most effective middle road to future bone health.

      All the best,
      Tallis

      1. Thank you so much for this clarification! I can now do the research necessary before I proceed. I sincerely appreciate your knowledge and insight. And your willingness to share.

        1. I’ve recently completed a 3 day fast, trying to rekindle my fasting practice. I was derailed by covid 3 + years ago and now some long covid issues. Along with other general health issues, and knowing that a truly long fast will not be supported in my circumstances, I am wondering if a series of shorter fasts of,say, 7-14 days will eventually arrive at the level of healing experienced during the prolonged fasts of 20+ days.

          1. Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip. Avatar
            Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip.

            Hi Deb,
            Without having the in-depth knowledge acquired through a full consultation, it’s very hard to say anything definitive. For someone who is totally healthy, I’d say that two 14-day fasts are broadly ‘equivalent’ to a single 21-day fast. But when there are complex, chronic health issues involved, it’s also going to be influenced by the specific symptoms involved. Some symptoms really do need a longer fast in order to heal. Perhaps most importantly, though, some people with chronic health issues such as Long Covid can actually do damage to themselves by fasting for too long, pushing their already burdened immune systems beyond the limit. So, for someone like you, it’s going to be a complex situation which needs a lot of thought in getting it right!
            Tallis

  12. Christopher Robert Graham Avatar
    Christopher Robert Graham

    How do you regualte the amount of water intake is required during a water fast? What about eliminating mucoid plauque during your fasts, do you see these eliminations?

    1. Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip. Avatar
      Dr. Tallis Barker, D.Phil., Nat.Dip.

      Hi Christopher,

      Thanks for your questions. The whole point is NOT to ‘regulate’ water intake. It’s to get out of your head – and what it ‘thinks’ is right – and listen to your body. The problem is that most people have largely lost a good, solid connection with what their body wants – and this includes water intake. It’s my job to help clients tune into this, so they do know how much to drink! There’s no fixed amount. It’s largely individual, and it also fluctuates from day to day.

      Mucoid plaque can be eliminated on fasts, but it tends to take place beyond the first two weeks of fasting, if at all – because not everybody carries mucoid plaque.

      Hope this helps,
      Tallis

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Discover more from Water Fast Coaching and Nutritional Therapy

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading