Vikram Desai Vikram Desai Asked 5 months ago

How long does liver glycogen last during fasting?

I've started intermittent fasting for health benefits, and I'm curious about how the body uses its stores. I wanted to know, how long does liver glycogen typically last during a fasting period before the body switches to other fuel sources?

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6 answers

Ananthakrishnan Iyer Ananthakrishnan Iyer Joined May 2026 5 months ago
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Liver glycogen typically lasts for about 12 to 24 hours during a complete fast. My grandmother always advised eating a slow-digesting meal like ragi before a religious fast to maintain energy. However, for any long fasting plans, please trust your doctor's advice on what is safe for your body.

Suresh Prabhu Suresh Prabhu Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

The glycogen stores in the liver are limited and usually run out within 24 hours of fasting. Before attempting any prolonged fasting or extreme diet, please get your blood sugar and liver profile checked for safety. It's always best to let a doctor verify if your body can handle it.

Nisha Deshmukh Nisha Deshmukh Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

Usually, your liver glycogen stores will last for about 18 to 24 hours. If you are doing short 16-hour fasts, your body handles it quite easily without completely running out of energy. Just remember to hydrate well with water during the fasting window to keep your organs happy.

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Consult a gastroenterologist

Shreya Sen Shreya Sen Joined May 2026 5 months ago

I read that liver glycogen is usually gone within 12 to 18 hours of fasting, which made me so anxious when I tried intermittent fasting! I was constantly worried about my blood sugar dropping too low. If you feel dizzy or weak, please don't push yourself too hard and eat something.

Ritika Goel Ritika Goel Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

According to my physician, liver glycogen is depleted in approximately 12 to 16 hours of fasting, depending on your physical activity levels. After this point, the liver begins gluconeogenesis to maintain blood glucose levels. If you have any underlying metabolic conditions, consult your doctor before trying extended fasting.

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Rajinder Singh Rajinder Singh Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

It generally gets depleted within 18 to 24 hours of fasting, after which the body starts using other energy sources. If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, long fasts can affect your system, so please get your routine checkups done. Lifestyle changes should always be safe and gradual.

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