Why Are My Mineral Levels Rising Even Though I’m Fasting?!

My MRAN (Magnet Resonance Analyzer) device indicates that some mineral levels in my body (blood, tissues, fluids, etc.) are actually trending upwards several days into my water-only fast. This seems odd. Is it possible for calcium, zinc and copper levels to rise in the body during a fast?

Yes, it’s possible for calcium, zinc, and copper levels to fluctuate during a fast, although the specifics depend on several factors, such as the duration of the fast, overall nutritional status, and the body’s metabolic responses. Here’s how these minerals can be affected:

Calcium:
- During a fast, blood calcium levels are generally regulated tightly by the body. The parathyroid hormone (PTH) helps maintain calcium levels by mobilizing it from bones if needed. This means that even if you’re not consuming calcium, your body can keep levels stable by using calcium stores from the bones. However, long-term fasting or very low-calcium diets could potentially deplete bone calcium.
Zinc:
- Zinc levels may rise slightly in the short term due to the breakdown of proteins (from muscle tissue, for instance) as part of the body’s energy response during fasting. Since zinc is involved in protein structure and function, fasting may lead to increased zinc release into the bloodstream initially. However, prolonged fasting may lead to zinc depletion if intake isn’t restored.
Copper:
- Similar to zinc, copper is stored in tissues and released into the bloodstream during metabolic stress or fasting. Short-term fasting might cause a transient rise in serum copper levels, but longer fasts without adequate replenishment could eventually reduce overall copper stores.

In summary, while these mineral levels may increase in the short term due to the release from body stores, prolonged fasting without intake could eventually lead to depletion. The body’s response will vary depending on pre-existing nutritional status and the duration of the fast.

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