Safety

The Sardine Protocol is not for everyone, and short fasts are not free of risk. This page is public on purpose — safety information is never gated.

Who should not fast

• People with a current or historical eating disorder
• Pregnant or lactating women
• Children and adolescents
• People with type 1 diabetes
• People taking medications that require food (consult your prescribing clinician)
• People with advanced cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease
• People with a history of gout flares triggered by purine-rich foods

When to stop a fast

• Severe lightheadedness on standing that does not resolve with electrolytes
• Resting heart rate below your baseline by more than 15 bpm
• Any chest pain, syncope, or new arrhythmia
• Severe muscle cramps unresponsive to electrolyte replacement
• Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down

Not medical advice

This site summarizes primary research and applied practice. It is educational. It is not a substitute for personalized advice from a qualified clinician. If you are unsure whether a sardine fast is right for you, do not start one.

The detailed exclusion criteria and refeed safety protocol are published in docs/08-legal-and-safety.md and will be expanded into this page in a follow-up session.