Intermittent fasting – briefly
Going back to the time of Hippocrates, observers noted that fasting could stop seizures. This led Dr. Russell Wilder to test fasting to treat people with epilepsy.
For some people, “intermittent fasting” means time-restricted eating. This could mean eating only within a specific window of four, six, or eight hours a day, such as noon until eight o’clock in the evening. For others, “intermittent fasting” means periodic eating, eating nothing for at least twenty-four hours, which is what I do now and then.
This article reviews the book “Fasting Can Save Your Life” by Dr. Herbert Shelton, MD, originally published in 1964. Briefly, you can gain health and build strength without eating. You are nourished not by what you eat, but by what you absorb, assimilate, and excrete. Shelton points out that fasting:
- is not starvation,
- gives your digestive system a rest, and
- is optimal individually, that is twenty-four hours of drinking water and tea is healthy for some, while fasting for a longer time can be better for others.
The purpose of fasting is to let the digestive system rest, which can improve digestion. Weight loss is a side effect. Dr. Jason Fung, MD, describes fasting as a therapeutic option in this seventy-one minute video. He includes details in his twelve-minute podcast about fasting and longevity.
Except in Russia, there are few if any clinical trials that prove that fasting works to gain health, but who would sponsor such a clinical trial? Has anybody ever done a clinical trial to prove that water is a cure for dehydration? Is there a clinical trial that proves that prunes have a laxative effect?
Drs. Longo and Mattson refer to the clinical applications of fasting, particularly for the ageing.
The term “intermittent fasting” can also refer to the practice of limiting the number of hours in the day that you eat. This sort of intermittent fasting restricts eating to a specific window between specific hours of the day, such as eight in the morning and four in the afternoon. This may or may not be practical for you. This gives the digestive system a daily rest of sixteen hours. This method requires self-discipline. I have never tried it myself, but some people enthusiastically claim that it works for them. Try it for yourself and see.
Dr. Otto Buchinger and his clinic near Hanover, Germany have been offering therapeutic fasting since 1920.
If you have a medical condition, see a doctor.
References
Shelton, Dr. Herbert MD, “Fasting Can Save Your Life“, 1964, American Natural Hygiene Society, online
Shelton, Dr. Herbert MD, “Fasting and Sun Bathing“, 1950, self-published
Fung MD, Dr. Jason, “The Complete Guide to Fasting: Heal Your Body“, Victory Belt, 2016
Fung MD, Dr. Jason, “Learn intermittent fasting – the video course!“, :56 in a series
Fung MD, Dr. Jason, “Fasting Secrets To Lose Weight & Actually Keep It Off“, 1:30 video
Ehret, Arnold, “Rational Fasting“, Health Research, 1996
Sircus OMD DM, Dr. Mark, “Fasting for Dummies“, article
Sinclair, Upton, “The Fasting Cure“, M. Kennerley, New York, 1911, pdf, online
Trall MD, Dr. Russell, “The True Healing Art“, Fowler & Wells, New York, 1880
Thompson, Connor, “Intermittent Fasting: The Science Of Intermittent Fasting“, self-published, 2018
Pearson, R.B., “Fasting and Man’s Correct Diet“, Health Research, 1921, pdf
Cott MD, Dr. Alan, “Fasting-The Ultimate Diet“, Bantam Books, 1975, archive
Mattson, Longo, and Harvie, “Impact of intermittent fasting on health and disease processes“, Ageing Research Reviews, 2017 Oct;39:46-58
Longo and Mattson, “Fasting: molecular mechanisms and clinical applications“, Cell Metabolism, 2014 Feb 4;19(2):181-92
Anton, Mattson et al., “Flipping the Metabolic Switch: Understanding and Applying Health Benefits of Fasting“, Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018 February ; 26(2): 254–268. doi:10.1002/oby.22065.
Cole DC, Will, “Intermittent Fasting Activates Autophagy to Repair the Body“, :37 video
Thurlow, Cynthia, “Intermittent Fasting: Transformational Technique“, :13 video
Maloof MD, Dr. Molly, “Intermittent Fasting When Stressed & Understanding Blood Sugar Spikes“, 1:07 video
Asprey, Dave, “How to optimize your gut and brain bacteria“, :07 video
DietDoctor, “Intermittent fasting: Clinical pearls and precautions“, 1:27 video
Cole DC, Dr. Will, “Intuitive Fasting“, ;47 video
Scher MD, Dr. Bret, “Intermittent fasting: Clinical pearls and precautions“, 1:27 video
Longo, Dr. Valter, “How To Get All The Health Benefits Of Fasting Without The Hunger“, 1:24 video
Hadith, Forty, “Fasting and Ramadan“, :45 video
Macario, Susan, “Intermittent Fasting“, article
Hunninghake MD, Dr. Ron, transcript of interview about intermittent fasting
Thurow, Cynthia, “How to Make Intermittent Fasting Work For You“, Chris Kresser, :57 video
Northrup, MD, Dr. Christiane, “Do You Know the Benefits of Intermittent Fasting?“, article
Thurlow, Cynthia, “The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting“, :48 podcast
Jockers DC, Dr. David, “Intermittent Fasting, Autophagy and Cancer“, :58 podcast
Timpone, Patrick, “We Had to Fast For Only Two Days To Get the Answer to A Question“, 1:15 podcast
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