What are the key nutrients and herbs for intermittent fasting?

When you’re doing intermittent fasting, this is less important. But, when you do prolonged fasting (48-72+ hours), this becomes very important. Most people going into a prolonged fast are already deficient in at least one nutrient. A fast can then exaggerate this deficiency. 

A nutritional deficiency could create symptoms such as:

• Dizziness 

• Feeling faint

• Feeling tired

• A rash 

• Muscle cramps 

• Palpitations 

• Feeling cold  

Taking nutrients or herbs goes against the true definition of fasting, which is drinking only water, eating nothing, and not taking any nutrients or herbs. But, there are not enough calories involved in taking nutrients or herbs to bump a person out of ketosis or affect the benefits of fasting.  Taking nutrients may not only help prevent a nutrient deficiency, but it may also help enhance a person’s antioxidant network. 

Key nutrients for fasting:

1. Electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, sodium, and chloride) 

2. B vitamins (nutritional yeast) 

3. Trace minerals (zinc, selenium, and iodine)

4. Vitamin D (sun, cod liver oil

5. Vitamin C 

2 nutrients you probably don’t need for a fast:

1. Iron 

2. Calcium 

Herbs for fasting:

• Green tea 

• Garlic

• Wheatgrass juice powder  

• Turmeric