“Fasting is the greatest remedy — the physician within.”

Fasting, defined as a period of partial or total food restriction, is an ancient healing strategy rooted in various cultural, religious, and health traditions. This practice poses a challenge for the brain, triggering an adaptive stress response that can potentially reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The transition to the “fasted state” typically occurs within 12-24 hours, influenced by metabolic health and the size of the last meal. During this phase, the body shifts from processing incoming nutrients to burning stored energy, a process known as catabolism. In metabolically flexible individuals, stored glycogen and triglycerides become efficient fuel sources. Conversely, metabolic dysfunction diminishes the ability to burn stored fat, resulting in strong cravings, low blood sugar, and irritability.

It’s crucial to recognize that fasting, akin to exercise, requires an adjustment period, typically a few weeks for the body to acclimate. As you persist with fasting, your ability to endure longer periods without food will improve, aiming for the achievement of a monthly 24-hour fast.

Exploring various fasting styles is recommended to discover personal preferences. Intermittent fasting (IF) is a widely-used term, denoting time-restricted feeding on a fixed schedule. A standard fasting approach involves restricting feeding between 12 pm and 8 pm at least 5 days a week. Our recommendation is doing two 18+ hour fast per week and doing a 24 hour fast once a month, occasionally extending to 36 hours (4-12 times a year), and challenging mental boundaries with a 48-72 hour fast every couple of years.

Fasting stands out as a potent tool, offering numerous health benefits. Allowing the digestive system to rest provides an opportunity for the body to clean up and repair cellular debris. Key advantages include enhanced insulin sensitivity, improved digestion, elevated energy levels, mental clarity, reduced risk of heart disease, weight loss, and decreased inflammation, measured by C-Reactive Protein. Recent studies even suggest that fasting may potentially slow down aging, increasing the likelihood of a prolonged and healthy lifespan.

Implementing this protocol when breaking a fast will help you reap even more benefits from your time spent fasting. It also helps prevent a potential binge feeding that can wreck havoc and overload your digestive system. The longer the fast, the more important it is to implement this protocol.