Answers about safety, preparation, refeeding, and how to begin your water fasting journey with Penlago.
We accept a few people each month. Reserve your spot now.
Here are 20 commonly asked questions about extended water fasting—especially what people worry about. At Penlago we provide on-site nursing, daily vital checks, and access to doctors. If you have further concerns, we will answer them personally once you apply.
Yes—when done in a controlled environment. At Penlago, you will be monitored daily by our nurse (weight, pulse, blood pressure, hydration) and a doctor is on call. We also use criteria to determine whether someone should stop the fast early. Safety comes first.
These are warning signs. If you experience severe dizziness, near-fainting, or confusion, we pause or end the fast and begin a supervised refeeding plan immediately. Light symptoms may improve with extra rest, electrolyte adjustment, or slight water intake changes.
Some lean tissue loss is unavoidable, especially when fasting, but much of the early “loss” is water and glycogen. Because of our protocols and the shorter timeframe (7 days), actual muscle protein breakdown is minimal if you’re healthy. We monitor signs and take protective steps (rest, gentle movement).
You must disclose all medical conditions and medications in your application. Some conditions (diabetes type 1, kidney disease, severe heart disease, etc.) may disqualify you. In certain cases, under medical supervision, modifications may be possible—but never guaranteed.
We require participants to be in stable health. Contraindications include: pregnancy or nursing, BMI under a threshold, active eating disorders, serious chronic illnesses, or recent surgeries. If your application falls into grey zones, our medical team may request your doctor’s clearance or decline.
Typically 2.5 to 4 liters (or 80–135 oz), depending on body size, climate, and activity. We may adjust that based on your vitals, and sometimes add electrolytes in minimal doses under supervision.
No — standard supplements usually break the fast or interfere with metabolic processes. The exception: in rare cases, under doctor supervision, trace electrolytes or minerals might be administered if imbalance is detected.
You may experience:
These usually pass or diminish, but if any symptom becomes severe, we intervene.
You can stop fasting at any time. Our protocol includes a safe, guided refeeding sequence. Stopping isn’t failure—it’s safety.
Short-term fasting does not “break” metabolism when done properly. In fact, it may temporarily increase metabolic efficiency. The risk comes from repeated extreme fasts or poor refeeding. We guide you to resume food gently to avoid damaging effects.
Three to five days ahead, reduce heavy foods, processed carbs, caffeine, sugar, and meat. Eat lighter, whole-food meals. Hydrate well. This softens the transition and minimizes shock to your body.
We use a slow, phased approach:
Refeeding syndrome involves dangerous shifts in electrolytes when food is reintroduced too rapidly—especially after long fasts. Because we supervise the break carefully and monitor your labs, this risk is mitigated at Penlago.
No strenuous exercise. Gentle walking or light stretching is okay, but we discourage anything demanding (jogging, heavy lifting) to reduce metabolic stress and risk of injury.
Hunger usually peaks in the first 24 hours and then recedes. Many guests say by day 3 the hunger “wave” passes and they feel a calmer baseline.
We don’t recommend doing 7-day water fasts frequently. In most cases, once or twice a year (or less) is safer. Frequent extended fasts can strain organs, deplete nutrients, and destabilize metabolism.
Your body loses sodium, potassium, magnesium during a fast. While we don’t routinely give large electrolytes (which might interfere with the metabolic effects), we monitor labs. If we detect imbalance, we intervene cautiously and gradually.
Yes, you may talk, journal, meditate, walk. But we encourage minimal screen time, distractions, or social demands so your inner silence deepens.
Emotional fluctuations are normal. Irritability and mood shifts often arise early. Most people calm by day 3–4. Staff are trained to help redirect you (breathing, journaling, walks).
Fasting is hypothesized to stimulate autophagy (cellular cleanup) and reset immune response. Preliminary evidence supports this, though human data are limited. What we do know is that rest, metabolic pause, and detox can help regulate inflammation.
We take any cardiac symptom seriously. If you report palpitations, shortness of breath, or chest pain, we pause the fast, check labs & ECG, and provide medical care until you’re stable.
Some people experience anxiety, low mood, or emotional surfacing. Because fasting is intense, emotional reactions can emerge. At Penlago we have supportive staff, quiet counseling, and protocols to step back if mood becomes unsafe.
Imbalances could lead to muscle cramps, arrhythmias, or neurological symptoms. That’s why we monitor bloodwork and intervene early if levels drift out of safe ranges.
Age is less important than physical health. Healthy older adults may fast, but they require extra medical oversight. We examine your lab work, heart health, bone density, and more before acceptance.
Medications, especially for blood pressure, insulin, or diuretics, complicate fasting. These must be thoroughly reviewed. Some need adjustment or temporary cessation under physician supervision; some conditions disqualify.
If improperly done, yes—in rare cases. Risks include chronic electrolyte depletion, kidney stress, hormonal disruption, or gut flora disruption. That’s why we emphasize medical safety, limited frequency, and solid refeeding.
We hope this helps you understand the realities, risks, and safeguards of a 7-day water fast.
If you don’t see your question here, feel free to mention it in your application or reach out directly—our team is happy to clarify before you decide.
We accept a few people each month. Reserve your spot now.