What are the benefits of fasting? Fasting can have various benefits such as weight loss, improved metabolic health, enhanced brain function, and increased longevity. It can also help in reducing inflammation and promoting cellular repair. We suggest you download our Free Fasting Guide from our web site and mobile app. This covers fasting, intermittent fasting and restrictive eating in detail.
How long do I follow your plans for? The plan itself will tell you how long to follow it in the schedule within the plan, but typically this is about 4 months for a Chronic Health Plan. For our Cancer Treatment Plans you follow them for as long as you are undergoing your cancer treatment. For our Lifestyle and Weight Loss Plans, you can follow them for as long as you chose or need too, indefinitely if that suits you. Finally, our HIIT Exercise Plan is designed to be followed for as long as you want to exercise, again indefinitely if that suits you. If you have one of more health conditions, then we suggest you follow one of our Chronic Health Plans and then move onto our Maintenance Plan which is a Lifestyle Plan - you can then follow this plan for as long as you like. You do not need to buy multiple Chronic Health Plans for yourself, unless you are buying them also for other people or as a gift. Chose a Chronic Health Plan specific to you health issue or if you have multiple health issues, chose the health condition which you consider the worse or is causing you the most problems. Our Chronic Health Plans are holistic and each plan, although written for a specific health condition, will also help other health conditions at the same time - that's the benefit of fasting and intermittent fasting - it treats your entire body, not just your specific health problem. This is important, for example you might experience skin problems, but the underlying cause of the skin problems is your digestion - modern medicine typically does not do this it only treats the skin problem, that is why many problems simply never clear up as the underlying cause of the problem is not being treated by modern medicine, unlike fasting.
What is Autophagy? Autophagy is one of the beneficial states that your body will automatically enter after not eating for about 12-18 hours. There are many more beneficial states that your body goes through - see our Free Fasting Guide available to download from our web site and App. Exactly when you enter autophagy will vary from person to person, depending on your metabolism and your physical activity. This is a good state to be in, its what we don’t often enter in our modern world with our normal 3-6 meals a day, snacking in between and sugar laden high carbohydrate western diets. In autophagy, your body is simply in self-eating mode and most of your body markers improve to levels only seen during fasting. It is a fascinating subject, and has only recently been discovered. We now know why fasting and restrictive eating is so good for our health and longevity. The changes our bodies go through during a controlled fast are profound and autophagy is one of those beneficial states. Think of fasting and restrictive eating as servicing your body to make it healthy again, and running at its optimum. Autophagy is self-eating and replacing damaged cell components with newly generated functional ones. Basically, you are regenerating your body and organs at the cellular level – nothing else can do this and certainly not modern medicine! Self-eating by the way is a good thing, it eats excess fat, bad cells, growths, even tumours, but your body will only go into a state of autophagy if you abstain from eating for a period of time. When you fast you initially burn excess glucose in your bloodstream which is used up fast. You then have about 700 calories worth of glycogen from your liver stores to burn – for normal activity this is about 10-12 hours’ worth of energy, if you are very active or exercise during the fast the glycogen will be burned up much quicker. Once your glycogen stores are used up and assuming you have not eaten anything, you go into a state of autophagy and you will stay in this state until you start eating again – even when you are asleep! If you continue to abstain from food for 3-4 days you will also go into a state called ketosis where you are burning ketones, a by-product of fat burning. You can also enter a less extreme form of autophagy by exercising – doing both fasting and exercise together gets you into autophagy quicker by burning your glycogen reserves – modern medicine or medication simply cannot come anywhere close to this! Autophagy flushes out old damaged cells from your body which is likely causing your chronic illness and replaces them with new healthy ones through stem cell activation – this is extremely powerful! Sugars and proteins affect key genes and pathways (TOR-S6K, PKA, RAS and ICF-1) widely recognised to accelerate illness and especially aging.
Isn't fasting and restrictive eating just starvation? Definitely not. Read our Fasting page and download our Free Fasting Guide which will answer this. This is a common belief, but it is simply wrong!
Will I feel hungry on a fast or by restricting my eating? You may feel hungry for a short period until your body gets use to the plan. However, most people experience their hunger declining and even going away altogether after they have been fasting for 2-3 days. You will have to educate your body and mind again, and your body will need to switch back on the “I am not hungry” and “I am full” hormones which may take a little time. Many of us have lost this “I am not hungry” hormone as we constantly eat and snack throughout the day (and sometimes night), which seems to turn this off over time. Fasting and restrictive eating seems to turn this back on again and resets your body again.
Why can't I just do long term water fasting on my own? The simple answer is you can. However, we highly recommend that if you undertake a medium or longer-term water only fast, certainly anything over 3 days on water only, that you do this in conjunction with experts or even at a specialist fasting clinic as you will need to be monitored closely, especially if you are already in poor health or elderly and this is your first water only fast.
What are the benefits of autophagy? Autophagy is a natural process where the body removes damaged cells and components, promoting cellular renewal and overall health. Benefits include improved cellular function, longevity, and protection against various diseases. We suggest you download our Free Fasting Guide which goes into autophagy in detail. This is available to download free from our web site and mobile app (via the Shop and filter on Free Guides).
What is the difference between fasting and restricted eating? You could argue that restrictive eating is a short fast, and it is in a way. Fasting is abstaining from food (having water only) for a given period of time, and to see benefits you really need to do this for a minimum of 18+ hours on a regular basis, although we would advise a little longer. Restrictive eating on the other hand is typically where you restrict your eating to a time period within the day, like a 20:4 where you abstain from food and have water only for 20 hours of the day, then eat your meals in the four hour window. Similar plans are 16:8, one-meal-a-day, 5:2, etc. Both have major benefits and we use both in our plans, although you will get quicker results and benefits from longer fasting.
What is OMAD (One Meal a Day) fasting? OMAD is a form of intermittent fasting where an individual consumes all their daily calories within a single meal, typically within a one-hour eating window each day (or 24-hour period). This fasting approach can aid in weight loss, improve metabolic health, and simplify meal planning. You are in fact fasting for 23 hours each day, so you will be in the beneficial autophagy state for some of that time (remember your glycogen stores need to be burned up first each day).
What is intermittent fasting? Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. It does not specify which foods to eat but rather when to eat them. This approach can aid in weight loss, improve metabolic health, and simplify meal planning.
I have heard people have died fasting? Fasting and restrictive eating is perfectly safe as long as you are sensible, continue to work with your doctors and healthcare professionals, continue with your medication and work with your doctor and healthcare professionals on what and how much medication you take. This is especially important as you age, if you are sick or unhealthy or if you have never fasted before. Fasting can only be dangerous on very prolonged fasts, where your body may become depleted of minerals and/or vitamins, but we do not practise prolonged fasts in any of our plans as these should only be undertaken working very closely with experts or by attending a specialist fasting clinic. It can also be dangerous if you suddenly just stop your medication, that's why we state you should never do this. However, if you have any concerns, then please discuss them with your doctor and healthcare professional beforehand, and do not follow our plans unless you are completely happy to proceed. Always work with your doctor or healthcare professional if you follow our plans or supplementation - this is very important!
What is human growth hormone? Human growth hormone (HGH) is a vital hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and regeneration in humans. It plays a crucial role in childhood growth and continues to have numerous effects throughout adulthood.
What is ketosis during fasting? Ketosis during fasting is a metabolic state where the body burns stored fat for energy instead of glucose. This process occurs when carbohydrate intake is low, and the body produces ketones as an alternative fuel source. It is a natural and beneficial state that can aid in weight loss and provide energy during fasting periods.
Does fasting benefit insulin sensitivity? Fasting can indeed benefit insulin sensitivity by giving the body periods of rest from constant food intake, fasting can help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with insulin resistance or Type 2 Diabetes.
What are the side effects of fasting? While fasting can have various benefits, it may also lead to some side effects, although they are generally minor. Common side effects of fasting include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. It's essential to listen to your body and consult a healthcare professional before starting any fasting regimen.
Can fasting help with cancer treatment? Recent research has shown that fasting has shown potential benefits in cancer treatment by enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy, reducing side effects, and potentially slowing tumour growth. However, it is crucial to consult with healthcare professionals before incorporating fasting into cancer treatment plans.
Does fasting improve blood markers? Fasting has been linked to improvements in various blood markers, such as cholesterol levels, blood sugar regulation, and inflammation. It can positively impact overall health and metabolic function, leading to better blood marker profiles. We suggest you download out Free Fasting Guide from our web site or App, this details the benefits from fasting including blood markers.
Does fasting reduce inflammation within the body? Fasting has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body by decreasing levels of pro-inflammatory markers and promoting cellular repair processes. It can help alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions and contribute to overall health and well-being.
Is fasting more effective than traditional dieting for weight loss? Fasting has been shown to be significantly more effective than traditional dieting for weight loss in many studies. Fasting can help regulate hormones, improve metabolism, and promote fat loss while preserving muscle mass.
Is fasting just another fad diet? Fasting is not a fad diet. It is a practice that has been around for centuries and has numerous health benefits. Fasting can help improve metabolism, promote weight loss, and even boost brain function.
Is fasting more successful than traditional dieting methods? Fasting has proven to be effective for weight loss and overall health improvement compared to traditional dieting methods. It can help regulate hormones, reduce inflammation, and promote fat loss while preserving muscle mass.
How many studies have been conducted on fasting? Numerous studies have been conducted on fasting, exploring its effects on weight loss, metabolism, and overall health. These studies have shown promising results in terms of improving various health markers and promoting overall wellbeing.
Is there ongoing research on fasting? Yes, there is a significant amount of ongoing research on fasting. Scientists and health professionals are continuously studying the effects of fasting on various health aspects, including weight management, metabolic health, and longevity. The growing body of research highlights the potential benefits of incorporating fasting into a healthy lifestyle.
Can taking a tablet provide the same benefits as fasting? While certain supplements may offer health benefits, fasting provides unique physiological effects that cannot be replicated by simply taking a tablet or indeed modern medications. Fasting triggers metabolic changes, promotes autophagy, and enhances cellular repair processes, which may not be achieved through tablets or medication alone.
Isn’t fasting just starvation? Fasting is not the same as starvation. While both involve abstaining from food, fasting is a controlled and voluntary practice with various health benefits, whereas starvation is involuntary and can be harmful to the body.
What are the benefits of intermittent fasting? Intermittent fasting can aid in weight loss, improve metabolic health, enhance brain function, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Will I feel hungry while fasting? It's common to experience hunger during fasting, especially in the initial stages. However, the body typically adapts to fasting over time, and hunger sensations usually decrease. Staying hydrated, consuming nutrient-dense foods during eating windows, and listening to your body's hunger cues can help manage hunger while fasting. We also suggest you download our Free Fasting Guide as this goes into this in some detail.
Can fasting help in reversing years of neglecting your body? Fasting can be a beneficial tool in kickstarting a healthier lifestyle and reversing the effects of neglect on your body. It allows for cellular repair, metabolic enhancement, and can aid in weight management. However, it is essential to combine fasting with a balanced diet and regular physical activity for long-term health benefits. Also, it might take some time, dont expect miracles!
Can fasting support chemotherapy treatment? Fasting has shown potential in enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy by protecting healthy cells and sensitizing cancer cells to treatment. However, it is crucial to consult with healthcare providers before combining fasting with chemotherapy to ensure safety and compatibility with individual treatment plans.