Sonam Wangchuk Loses 8.2 Kg in 18 Days: Doctors Explain the Health Risks of Prolonged Water-Only Fasting

Environmental activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has reportedly lost 8.2 kg in just 18 days during his ongoing water-only hunger strike, raising serious concerns among medical experts about the effects of prolonged fasting on the human body.

Doctors say while the body can adapt to short periods without food, fasting for several weeks forces it into survival mode, eventually causing it to consume muscle tissue to keep vital organs functioning.

Sonam Wangchuk's Rapid Weight Loss Raises Medical Concerns

According to reports, Wangchuk has been consuming only water during his protest.

Medical experts say losing more than 8 kg in less than three weeks is medically significant and suggests the body has progressed beyond burning stored fat and is now breaking down muscle proteins for energy.

Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, an internal medicine specialist, explained that the concern is not just the amount of weight lost but what the body sacrifices during prolonged starvation.

Initially, the body uses glucose circulating in the bloodstream, followed by glycogen stored in the liver and muscles. Once these reserves are exhausted, it begins burning fat before eventually breaking down muscle proteins to produce energy.

This process can weaken physical strength, reduce muscle mass and place the body under severe metabolic stress.

What Happens to the Body During Prolonged Fasting?

The human body follows several stages to survive when food intake stops.

Stage 1: Blood Glucose Is Used

During the first several hours, the body relies on glucose already present in the bloodstream to supply energy to the brain and muscles.

Stage 2: Glycogen Stores Are Depleted

Within approximately 24 hours, stored glycogen in the liver and muscles becomes the primary energy source.

These reserves generally last for one to two days.

Stage 3: Fat Becomes the Main Fuel

Once glycogen is depleted, the body begins breaking down stored fat.

The liver converts fat into ketones, which help supply energy to the brain and other organs during prolonged fasting.

Stage 4: Muscle Breakdown Begins

Fat alone cannot meet all of the body's nutritional needs.

As fasting continues, the body starts breaking down skeletal muscles into amino acids to produce glucose required by vital organs.

This leads to loss of lean muscle mass, weakness and reduced physical function.

Why Rapid Weight Loss During Fasting Can Be Dangerous

Doctors caution that dramatic weight loss during prolonged fasting is not simply fat loss.

The initial drop usually comes from water and glycogen depletion, but continued fasting results in significant muscle loss.

Potential complications include:

• Loss of muscle strength
• Weakening of the immune system
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Low blood pressure
• Low blood sugar
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Dehydration
• Irregular heart rhythms
• Organ dysfunction in severe cases

Since the heart itself is a muscle, prolonged muscle breakdown may also affect cardiac function.

Medical experts stress that extended hunger strikes require continuous medical supervision even when the individual continues consuming water.

The Hidden Risk After the Fast Ends

Doctors warn that restarting food after prolonged fasting can be just as dangerous as the fast itself.

A condition known as refeeding syndrome can occur when the body suddenly begins processing carbohydrates again.

This rapid metabolic shift may cause dangerous drops in phosphate, potassium and magnesium levels, potentially leading to heart complications, breathing problems and neurological issues.

To minimise these risks, nutrition should be reintroduced gradually under medical supervision.

Why Medical Monitoring Is Essential

While intermittent or short-term fasting is generally safe for healthy individuals, experts emphasise that water-only fasting for several weeks is fundamentally different.

By the time an individual loses several kilograms within a short period, the body has often exhausted its energy reserves and begun breaking down muscle tissue to sustain essential organs.

Doctors say this stage indicates severe metabolic stress and requires close observation to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.

Key Highlights

• Sonam Wangchuk has reportedly lost 8.2 kg during an 18-day water-only hunger strike.
• Doctors say prolonged fasting forces the body to burn fat before breaking down muscle.
• Rapid weight loss may lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and heart complications.
• Extended fasting can weaken immunity, reduce muscle mass and affect vital organs.
• Refeeding syndrome is a major risk when eating resumes after prolonged starvation.

FAQs

Why is losing 8.2 kg in 18 days considered dangerous?

Doctors say such rapid weight loss usually indicates that the body has moved beyond burning fat and has started breaking down muscle tissue, which can affect overall health and organ function.

What happens first when a person stops eating?

The body initially uses glucose in the bloodstream, followed by glycogen stored in the liver and muscles. Once these reserves are exhausted, it begins burning fat and later muscle.

Can a person survive on water alone?

Water can help prevent dehydration, but prolonged fasting without food eventually causes nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss and metabolic complications that require medical supervision.

What is refeeding syndrome?

Refeeding syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur when food is reintroduced too quickly after prolonged starvation, causing dangerous electrolyte imbalances.

Why is muscle loss during fasting a concern?

Muscle loss weakens physical strength, reduces immunity and can affect vital organs, including the heart, increasing the risk of serious medical complications.