Absolute Contraindications
There are certain conditions in which water fasting is strictly contraindicated, as it may worsen health or lead to serious complications. Individuals with any of the conditions listed below should not practise water fasting. Water fasting is contraindicated in the following cases:
- severe underweight (BMI below 18.5)
- active pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis
- bronchiectasis
- severe systemic blood disorders
- type 1 diabetes
- recent myocardial infarction or recovery after a major heart attack
- severe heart failure
- active chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis
- acute or chronic kidney failure
- jaundice (hepatic or obstructive)
- breastfeeding period
- malignant cardiac arrhythmias
- diseases associated with severe protein loss (e.g., active systemic lupus erythematosus or Cushing’s syndrome)
- treatments that cause significant protein breakdown (e.g., high-dose corticosteroids or cancer treatments)
- metastatic cancer (stage IV)
- severe osteoporosis
- stroke within the last 6 months
- any condition requiring bed rest
Note: If you have one or more of these conditions, you should not practise water fasting. Medical evaluation and advice are required in such cases.
Relative Contraindications
There are also situations where water fasting is not strictly forbidden, but must be approached with caution and only after individual evaluation. In these cases, medical advice is necessary before starting, to determine whether fasting is appropriate and under what conditions.
Caution is required in the following situations:
- ischemic heart disease
- cardiac rhythm disorders;
- moderate heart failure
- severe low blood pressure
- gallstones
- gastric or duodenal ulcers
- chronic venous insufficiency
- type 2 diabetes
- gout
- febrile conditions
- kidney stones
- thyrotoxicosis
- childhood or advanced age
- pregnancy (up to the sixth month only, and only with medical evaluation)
Note: If you have any of these conditions, please call +40 332 802 834 to discuss your situation. Together, we can determine whether fasting is suitable for you and under what conditions it may be practised.