I started my 40 days fasting, can you help out? Thank you in advance.

Hello everyone, Gris here from México. 37 Gay Male, living with HIV + as undetectable, being struggling with weight my whole life, depression, anxiety, suicide and drug abuse (Meth). I am stating a 40 days fast and I am align it with my faith, only taking 1 meal a day after sunset. Mostly taking 1 can of tuna, greens like lettuce, cabbage, a bit of rice, habanero sauce, salt, pepper and as dessert having a fruit with chili powder. I would love to have some kind of guidance, I know it's been rough the last couple of years for all of us with Covid, all the hate and now the war. I am starting this 40 days to help myself learn some self restrain, get healthier, lose some weight and as an offering to God. ¿What should I know or do, or avoid during my fast? ¿How can I help my body even more? ¿If there is someone living with HIV/AIDS like me, and you have been fasting is there anything I should know? I have social anxiety so it's really hard to get out and talk to people, so reddit it's been great for me. If you don't mind helping out a stranger that is in dire need of a little bit of kindness, please be kind and respond to my post. For you dear reader and your loved ones I hope you stay healthy, at peace, strong, on your path and get tons of love from this amazing beautiful life, with love from México.

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I think you should be quite careful about consuming a can of tuna everyday. The mercury levels in an occasional can of tuna are insubstantial, but if it is your main source of sustenance everyday, you may be in danger.

The CDC says to limit your dose of mercury to .3mcg/kg in order to stay in “minimal risk.” If you’re 100kg, then you’ll want to limit to 30mcg/day.

The average can of Albacore Tuna has about 50mcg of mercury.

I don’t know whether ingesting mercury on full stomach vs. empty stomach matters, but I think either way, you will be ingesting a suuuuuper high dose of Mercury with nothing to cushion it. (Again, not sure if the other food cushion even matters with heavy metals.)

Please consider limiting your tuna consumption.

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Good for you! I hope it goes well, it seems like most call that OMAD for one meal a day. I’m fasting for 4 days, just liquid. It’s been pretty good and given me more confidence and made me feel generally healthy and in more control of my life and my diet. Reddit, and this page have been very helpful and supportive. I don’t have any info on the hiv stuff but as long as you still take any meds and talk to your doctor if you have issue it’s probably All good. Good luck 👍

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It’s good to hear that you are doing something positive to improve your mind and body.

I would call what you’re doing one-meal-a-day (OMAD) with calorie restriction (CR), or perhaps a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD).

I’m no expert, but any research I’ve read starts with healthy subjects. I haven’t seen any research with immune-compromised subjects.

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sounds like you are choosing to do something healthy for yourself, amazing!!! i HIGHLY recommend the book The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung he gives you a lot of really amazing tips about losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle …. i find extended fasting actually really helps me with depression (depression is related to inflammation and fasting and low carb diets reduce inflammation & i’m also assuming would really help keep your HIV under control) … make sure you read about electrolytes and are getting enough if you’re eating that little. anyways just wanted to stop by to recommend the book and say good luck!!!

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I don’t have any tips for you but want to offer my encouragement…..wishing you lots of strength, perseverance, learning, and positive self-reflection on your journey :)I think all of us are connected in this world in that we all wish to lead healthy lives while trying to navigate through all the obstacles. You’ve got this Gris, with love from British Columbia 👍