Discover the Power of Fasting: More Energy, Better Health, Greater Control.

Fasting unlocks hidden biological resources in your body.

There are functions that are only activated when no food is present.

It is crucial to free yourself from the belief that skipping a meal is dangerous or will make you feel miserable.

Humans can survive 60 days without food and not die, yet your brain tells you that if you don’t eat something in the next half hour, you’ll starve to death. Clearly, there is a disconnect between reality and the sensation of hunger.

Intermittent fasting allows you to take control of your own cravings; it’s not about suffering.

Intermittent fasting is different from prolonged fasting and offers incredible benefits, such as:

Regulation of Insulin Levels.

High insulin is linked to an increased risk of mortality.

Improved insulin sensitivity: A 2018 study found that time-restricted eating (intermittent fasting) improved insulin sensitivity and lowered insulin levels without changing the total calorie intake.

Debunking the Calorie Theory.

A study comparing two groups showed that despite consuming the same number of calories at different times of day, they achieved different metabolic results. This disproves the idea that only the “calories in vs. calories out” equation matters without considering the timing of intake.

Autophagy: The Cellular Cleanup That Keeps You Young.

One of the greatest benefits of fasting is autophagy, the process by which the body removes weak cells and replaces them. Think of it like a crew going through Las Vegas replacing every burnt-out lightbulb to keep the city shining.

Benefits of autophagy:

1. Reduces inflammation and slows aging.

2. Intermittent fasting increases NAD levels, an anti-aging molecule that repairs DNA and protects cells from oxidative stress.

3. A MIT study demonstrated that 24 hours of fasting improves stem cell regeneration.

How Fasting Transforms Your Metabolism and Brain.

Intermittent fasting improves gut microbiota. When gut bacteria run out of food, they produce FIAF (Fasting-Induced Adipose Factor), a hormone that tells the body to stop storing fat and start burning it.

📌 This means skipping certain meals at the right times allows your body to burn more fat naturally.

Fasting also boosts brain function:

• Increases memory and learning capacity (in animal studies).

• Promotes the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus.

• Reduces biochemical markers of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Fasting and Human History.

Fasting is not a new trend. Our ancestors didn’t have constant access to food, so they ate when they could and naturally fasted.

Fasting has also been part of many religions:

• Jesus fasted 40 days in the desert.

• Catholics fast during Lent.

• Jews on Yom Kippur.

• Muslims during Ramadan.

📌 If fasting were dangerous, we wouldn’t have evolved with this practice so deeply ingrained in our history.

How to Start Intermittent Fasting

If you’ve never fasted before, start with a 16-hour fast:

• Eat dinner early (around 6:00 p.m.)

• Sleep without eating

• Delay breakfast until 10:00 a.m.

Doing this just three times a week provides significant metabolic benefits.

• A 24-hour fast boosts growth hormone and promotes cell repair.

• A 48–72 hour fast can enhance immune response and cellular regeneration, but should be done with caution.

Common Fasting Side Effects and How to Avoid Them

• Toxins released from fat: When burning fat, you release toxins. Use activated charcoal to absorb them.

• Mineral loss: Use mineral salts or electrolytes to prevent fatigue and cramps.

• Breaking a fast with junk food: Your first meal post-fast should be nutrient-dense and anti-inflammatory.

Fasting and Exercise: Can They Be Combined?

• The best time to work out fasted is right before breaking your fast.

• After training, eat protein and healthy fats to optimize muscle recovery.

• Avoid intense workouts during prolonged fasts (+24h), as it can raise cortisol and cause unnecessary stress.

The Spiritual Side of Fasting

Fasting is not only physical; it’s also emotional and mental.

• It can help heal your relationship with food and teach you to distinguish real hunger from emotional hunger.

• Spiritual fasting has been used for thousands of years to achieve mental clarity and deeper connection.

• Fasting is a powerful tool for self-knowledge.

Fasting for Women: Special Considerations.

• Women should fast differently than men.

• Intermittent fasting can improve hormonal balance, but extreme fasting may signal the body that there’s a famine.

• For women in perimenopause, shorter fasts (12–14h) can be more effective.

• If you are pregnant or suspect you might be, do NOT do prolonged fasting.

Make Fasting Work FOR YOU!

• There is no single right way to fast.

• Listen to your body and adapt it to your lifestyle.

• If one day you need to eat, do so without guilt.

Fasting is a tool, not a prison.Use it with intelligence and flexibility to optimize your health and well-being.

Source: Dave Asprey