In the process of reading about this topic, I saw a fairly recent report about a Jain girl who died shortly after ending a long fast. Coincidentally, I wonder if "refeeding syndrome" is commonly understood to be a risk. If not, I'd like to raise awareness about it, because this syndrome may be avoidable, as an unintended consequence of faith based fasting (or a complication of eating afterward, that is).
Although her
story indicates an especially long period of fasting, there is medical literature that describes the risk of refeeding syndrome to involve much shorter periods as well. NICE
guidelines (which are referred to in a medical journal
also) list 'criteria for determining people at high risk of developing refeeding problems'. These may include little or no nutritional intake for more than 5 days, and subsequent fasting beyond 10 days is a high risk criterium in itself.
Briefly, their recommendations say that "people who have eaten little or nothing for more than 5 days should have nutrition support introduced at no more than 50% of requirements for the first 2 days"... and "using only 5 kcal/kg/day in extreme cases (for example, BMI less than 14 kg/m2 or negligible intake for more than 15 days) and monitoring cardiac rhythm continually in these people"... by the way, she is said to have passed away due to cardiac arrest, two days after refeeding (which I presume was related to this syndrome).
Likewise, the Jain practices of Atthai (fasting for 8 days), and Masakshman (fasting for 30 days) would involve higher risks for refeeding problems, respectively.
There are other risks (or benefits) to be aware of, to say the least. Many are discussed in a related forum topic: intermittent fasting (Philosophical Vegan... especially pages 2 through 4 there). Maybe less is more, but feel free to discuss fasting from another perspective here also, thanks.
PS,
I've since looked up an additional
story about that "tragic and accidental death", in which it is concluded that "health information on the dangers of prolonged fasting" could "effectively protect minors". I'd just like to add that this kind of accident can happen to people of all ages, and under less extreme circumstances (as the health information suggests).
Take care.