The Science of Fasting

Excellent overview of the research and practice of fasting in Russia, Germany, and the US. Water fasting from 1-6 weeks in Russia and 1-3 weeks in Germany has been occurring as a common practice for the last 60 years - yet I had never heard of this outside of a religious context. The documentary explains how the practice started in each country and a mix of both anecdotal cases and research findings that cast light on the reason it has grown as a treatment for a broad range of diseases, including psychological, with broad acceptance. In fact, several of the large public hospitals in Germany have entire floors dedicated to monitoring long-term fasting.The last part of the video focuses on US research, where eyes are just beginning to awaken to the possibilities of fasting. The research of Dr. Valter Longo is highlighted. There has not been a medical practice of fasting in the U.S., so the video is primarily focused on research. I believe this has to do with cultural issues, such as how we teach doctors in the US - they are often closeminded to new ideas and alternative treatments (to be fair - there is plenty of quackery out there).I highly recommend approaching this film with a critical, but open mind, and certainly watch the entire thing (get past the sub-titled first part in Russia and Germany at least!).Follow-ups for those interested:1. Search on Dr. Longo's "Fast Mimicking Diet", which allows up to 1/3 the normal daily calories but the body still reacts as though it is fasting. The intent of this protocol is to have something that physicians can prescribe that is easier to complete than a full fast, and less foreign to the average US resident, while getting the same benefits. (His company, Prolon, sells the 5 day meal package to complete the protocol).2. Check out podcasts like foundmyfitness.com and the Tim Ferris show that include discussions of autophagy and both intermittent and prolonged fasting in many episodes, as well as delve into sorting out what is really healthy and not from diet, sleep, and other perspectives, and are open to investigating the science of many alternative approaches to these types of topics.3. Check out the more US culture-based documentary just titled "Fasting" where they "tentatively endorse" careful, doctor-led fasting. Dr. Longo and Dr. Fung are interviewed in this one.4. For a great viewpoint on how biased the US is against any alternative treatment that doesn't make big money for the healthcare complex (something you see repeatedly in the 1-star reviews of this documentary), check out the documentary "Cancer Can be Killed", available on Prime as of this moment.

I tried fasting when I was young for many reasons. I was in a bad place and I am also a Christian and need clarity. I was also poor and started by skipping meals. Also now known as intermittent fasting now. One meal skipping lead to multiple meals, to one meal a day, to a day to seven days of fasting. I did this all for spiritual reasons and found tremendous clarity in thought. Now I also prayed, but if you are not a spiritual person it will also clear your mind by keeping you free of thinking of what you want to eat, preparing it, eating it, digesting it, cleaning up after you eat. Lot more blood and free time to think on things and get clarity.We have an addiction to food, rightly so as we need it to live, but the body has the ability to heal itself if we would just let it rest. I did my fasting on my own out of need. This video gives the science you will not find much of in Western Medicine, as you can not charge for fasting, but reassures you it is a real source of healing and science is behind you.Although I disagree with some of what they say in this video, like fasting alone, I would recommend trying to get someone who has fasted to give you advice. A doctor or fasting clinic would be great, especially for fasts longer than three days, but you can do it on your own with a little research.Either way, start fasting now so you can understand how your body works and reacts to fasting so when you need it for medical reasons you will feel capable of fasting. Fasting is so empowering! I can not express how crucial I believe it is to all, both to the spiritual and the not spiritual. I would encourage you to fast regularly!For the Christians, out there Jesus says Matthew 6:16-18 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.Now, these are Jesus' words. When you fast, not if you fast. Be encouraged for those who are spiritual and those yet to discover the spiritual benifits of fasting!

Fasting isn’t starvation it’s actually beneficial and healthy for the body.

Just for information