The Blackfoot chewed grass as a means of extended endurance in ceremonies involving prolonged fasting.
A diagnostic fast refers to prolonged fasting (from 8-72 hours depending on age) conducted under observation for investigation of a problem, usually hypoglycemia.
After prolonged fasting, the body begins to degrade its own skeletal muscle.
This treatment is usually all that is necessary for an isolated episode of hypoglycemia, such as from prolonged fasting or strenuous exercise without adequate food.
Adults with the mildest degrees of congenital hyperinsulinism may simply have a decreased tolerance for prolonged fasting.
The consequences of prolonged fasting are not trivial.
Modern medicine has also repeatedly found prolonged fasting to be unhealthy for the human body.
Gautama underwent prolonged fasting, breath-holding, and exposure to pain.
When hypoglycemia occurs because of an isolated, short-term cause such as prolonged fasting or strenuous exercise, further medical treatment is usually not needed.
When he awoke, his body was still weak, but it was a weakness from prolonged fasting and thirst-soon cured.