Fasting: Scientifically Proven Health Benefits | Dr. Alan Goldhamer | The Exam Room Podcast

Summary

In this episode of the Exam Room podcast, Chuck Carroll welcomes Dr. Allan Goldhammer to discuss his book, *Can Fasting Save Your Life?*. They dive into the benefits of water fasting, focusing on its ability to address root causes of obesity, such as visceral fat, and its potential to reverse various chronic diseases. Dr. Goldhammer explains the science behind fasting, the importance of medical supervision, and shares insights on proper refeeding after a fast. The conversation also touches on the detoxification process, the long-term health benefits of plant-based diets, and success stories from patients who have undergone fasting at the TrueNorth Health Center.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fasting, specifically water fasting, is seen as a radical yet effective way to address the root causes of weight gain and health issues, by focusing on visceral fat and inflammation.
• 😀 Visceral fat, which accumulates around the abdomen and organs, behaves differently from regular fat, producing inflammation that contributes to diseases like cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and certain cancers.
• 😀 One of the major benefits of fasting is that it targets visceral fat, leading to a reduction in both fat and inflammation, and promotes overall health improvement.
• 😀 Fasting can help reset the body's natural satiety mechanisms, which can be disrupted by the consumption of highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates.
• 😀 Water fasting can be done safely when medically supervised, ensuring a person's baseline health is assessed through physical exams, lab tests, and consultation with physicians.
• 😀 Refeeding after a prolonged fast is crucial and must be done slowly to avoid serious complications, such as refeeding syndrome or post-fasting edema.
• 😀 Proper refeeding is essential for maintaining the benefits of fasting and for preventing any negative effects associated with rapid refeeding, which can be harmful.
• 😀 Fasting helps the body eliminate toxins, including fat-soluble substances like PCBs and dioxins, that may have accumulated in the fat over time.
• 😀 Fasting can be a tool to reverse chronic conditions like long COVID, as evidenced by a study showing improvements in fatigue and brain fog after fasting.
• 😀 Transitioning to a whole plant-based diet can result in withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, but over time, people adapt and begin to experience increased energy levels and improved health.
• 😀 The body’s taste preferences change significantly after fasting, helping individuals break free from cravings for processed, high-fat, and high-sugar foods and making healthy foods more appealing.
• 😀 The benefits of fasting extend beyond weight loss, as it has helped individuals regain better health and outlive others, even those younger, by adopting a whole plant-based diet and lifestyle.

Q & A

What is the main concern that people have about water fasting for weight loss?

Many people find water fasting extreme because it involves removing all food from the diet for a period. The idea of not eating for an extended time can feel radical, especially when tackling health issues like weight loss.

How does water fasting address the root causes of weight gain?

Water fasting targets the root cause of weight gain by addressing the dietary excess that leads to visceral fat and inflammation, which are key contributors to diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

What is visceral fat, and how does it differ from other types of body fat?

Visceral fat is fat that accumulates around the abdomen and internal organs. Unlike subcutaneous fat (fat under the skin), visceral fat is metabolically active, producing inflammatory products that can lead to diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

What are some potential risks when someone attempts water fasting on their own?

Fasting should not be done without proper medical supervision, as it can be dangerous without appropriate testing, hydration, rest, and proper refeeding. Risks include electrolyte imbalances, refeeding syndrome, and potential harm from discontinuing medications abruptly.

What is refeeding syndrome, and why is it dangerous?

Refeeding syndrome occurs when a person who has fasted or been deprived of nutrition is fed too quickly, leading to dangerous imbalances in electrolytes that can cause severe complications, such as cardiac issues and edema (fluid retention).

How does the body react after fasting in terms of fat loss?

During fasting, the body loses weight by shedding water, fiber, glycogen, and fat. Notably, fat, especially visceral fat, is preferentially mobilized, and while the body may regain some weight after refeeding, the fat continues to decrease.

Can fasting help with conditions like long COVID and fatigue?

Yes, fasting has been shown to help reduce symptoms like fatigue and brain fog, which are common in long COVID. A study found that fasting helped a patient recover from long COVID symptoms after over two years of suffering.

How long does it take for taste preferences to change after transitioning to a healthy diet?

It typically takes about 3 weeks to 3 months for taste preferences to change when transitioning to a whole plant-based diet. After fasting, however, this shift happens much faster, with healthy foods tasting better almost immediately.

What advice does Dr. Goldhammer give to those who want to transition to a plant-based diet but are struggling with hunger?

Dr. Goldhammer explains that fasting helps people recondition their taste buds, making healthy foods taste better. For those struggling with hunger, fasting or transitioning slowly can help them overcome the craving for processed, high-sugar, or high-fat foods.

Can fasting be a solution for people with heart problems like atrial fibrillation?

Fasting can be beneficial for heart health, but it is not recommended for individuals on anticoagulant medication unless they are stabilized off the medication. Lifestyle changes, including a plant-based diet, can also help improve heart health and potentially reduce atrial fibrillation symptoms.