metabolism

Question
Hi Melissa, I've written to you in the past on a similar subject, and I've appreciated your response.  I'm a healthy, lean male, who exercises regularly and eats a low carb diet which excludes highly processed foods.

I've been fasting intermittently.  I notice that on my fasting days my resting pulse is noticeably lower (maybe 60 bpm or lower) than on days I'm eating a lot.  Also, my average pulse has seemed to become lower overall.  Is this a sign that my metabolism is slowing-due to the fasting.

Thanks,
Alan

Answer
Alan,
Lower pulse on fasting days definitely reflects slower metabolism.
Lower overall pulse could be due to excessive fasting permanently lowering your metabolism, or it could simply be due to increased physical fitness.
Some signs that excessive fasting is damaging your body include: feeling cold, developing chapped lips, paleness of the inside surface of your lower eyelid and gums, being able to pluck hairs from your head easily, and in extreme cases, growing fine, downy hair in previously hairless areas such as feet and hands.
A sign that your heart rate is due to increased cardiovascular fitness is the speed at which your heart rate increases in response to exercise, and the speed at which it decreases when you stop exercising. If you're very fit, your heart rate will increase immediately and drastically (increase to your normal exercising heart rate within a minute or two), and will fall quickly (30 beat per minute decrease or more) as soon as you stop exercising.
If you're concerned, definitely check with your doctor.
Melissa

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