BBC documentary on dietary fasting. Interesting stuff on the IGF-1 story. The more protein you consume the more IGF-1 level in your body. IGF-1 acts as a fuel for the cells and it tells them to "go go go" he said. So cellular division and repair rate is too much for the system to handle and that leads to things like aging and cancer. He studied this in a group of "small people", they had very low levels of IGF-1. They lived longer and had no cancer compared to their regular sized relatives.

So can this be harmful for fitness people and athletes who are too active beyond the point of necessary? Makes sense that the constant cellular repair, there is always a chance for your body to translate something wrong at the molecular level.

How many of you fast anyway? And how often?

They talk about 3 types of fasting in this movie. Which one(s) do you think makes more sense?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfna7nV7WaM

8/13/2012 11:13:31 AM

I'd rather live to 80 and be strong as fuck than live to 100 as a withering husk.

8/13/2012 11:14:58 AM

quality of life > quantity of life

8/13/2012 11:37:22 AM

Interesting documentary from what I've seen so far. IF/fasting is becoming a little fad-y. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I think people are going to end up thinking they can eat whatever they want in a 4 hour window because they went for 14 hours without eating.

There seem to be numerous benefits from fasting. Lower IGF-1, lower LDL cholesterol, lower blood pressure, increased insulin sensitivity, and potentially weight loss. There's also evidence that shows that short-term fasting encourages autophagy. Calorie restriction is really about the only proven factor associated with increased longevity, but you may be able to get the benefits of calorie restriction without perpetual undereating: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/fasting-cancer/#axzz23ROzuTFy

Quote :

"How many of you fast anyway? And how often?"

Every day, I guess. On days where I plan to train I usually eat about 20% of my daily calories at around 2 PM, then eating the rest after working out. On rest days I typically don't eat until around 7 PM, then eat 1600-2000 calories between 7 PM and 10 PM.

I agree that quality of life is of primary importance. I don't find eating 6 bland meals out of a tupperware container every day too great, personally.

[Edited on August 13, 2012 at 12:00 PM. Reason : ]

8/13/2012 11:43:54 AM

Like many things, fasting seems to follow a "J-shaped curve" behavior and has a hormesis effect. Alcohol intake also follows this behavior so I'm going to stick with that to lower my all cause mortality and skip the fasting.

8/13/2012 12:08:00 PM

They used to do it in the bible days and they lived to 900 back then

Im krallum and i approved this message

8/13/2012 12:39:34 PM

I always thought lower/reduced caloric intake was the only thing proven to extend life...

8/13/2012 12:51:33 PM

If my great grandmother is any indication, the keys to a long life are filterless camels and Dewars.

8/13/2012 12:53:29 PM

i fasted for five days during some downtime while i was in college. people seem divided as to whether it's effective or not, so i figured it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. nothing but water, and plenty of it.

honestly, i didn't feel that weak during the fast, but i felt like i had a lot more energy after i eased into eating healthy food again. of course, i quickly resumed my poor eating habits.

it sounds difficult, but i found it surprisingly easy to do.

i wasn't trying to permanently alter my diet, but i may recommend it for someone who is trying to. when you eat again for the first time, even an apple or some green beans taste heavenly.

8/13/2012 12:55:03 PM

Doesn't fasting slow your metabolism? Seems logical if you slow everything down your body will last longer.

But IMO that goes back to quality of life and I have too many better things to do.

8/13/2012 1:29:31 PM

Quote :

"I agree that quality of life is of primary importance. I don't find eating 6 bland meals out of a tupperware container every day too great, personally."

I don't agree with the 1 on 1 off program either. The doctor from UChicago said you can eat whatever you want on your non-fasting day. And...she means, WHATEVER, as long as you're in your calorie goal for that day. McDonalds, Hardees, etc.

8/13/2012 1:59:08 PM

Quote :

"Doesn't fasting slow your metabolism?"

short version: no

8/13/2012 2:40:14 PM

^^Well, if your only goal is changing body composition, that's mostly right. You could probably eat only at McDonald's and hit your macronutrient/daily calorie goals. In fact, a guy does exactly that in a documentary called Fathead, which you can watch for free here: http://www.hulu.com/watch/196879

Obviously, there are other concerns aside from shedding fat or gaining muscle. Micronutrient intake matters. I also find that the kind of food you'd need to eat at McDonald's is not all that satisfying. I'd rather make stuff at home involving large amounts of seasoned vegetables, meat, eggs, cheese, etc.

Quote :

"Doesn't fasting slow your metabolism?"

Sure, just like eating food raises your metabolism. Raised metabolism is the body's response to consumption. Raised/lowered metabolism doesn't necessarily mean fat loss or fat gain. In fact, about 16-24 hours into a fast, close to 100% of your energy is coming from fat, even though your metabolism is lower. 30 minutes after a meal and that figure is closer to 0% - you're running off carbs.

[Edited on August 13, 2012 at 2:44 PM. Reason : ]

8/13/2012 2:43:53 PM

my dad fasted every year for a month and died at 65 yall can do it all ya want.

I'll just eat healthy every day.

8/13/2012 3:01:38 PM

Quote :

"my dad fasted every year for a month and died at 65 yall can do it all ya want. I'll just eat healthy every day."

anecdotes are not evidence (which is a response to most of the people touting the benefits of fasting as well).

There's also more things to die of than old age.

8/13/2012 4:22:55 PM

I also don't know that an entire month of fasting every 12 months would provide the same series of benefits. It doubt it would negate 11 months of abuse.

8/13/2012 4:37:33 PM

^^ neither are most studies these days

if i learned anything about statistics in statistics it's that you can represent data anyway you want to prove your point.

8/13/2012 4:48:03 PM

To me it sounds like you didn't actually learn statistics to me.

8/13/2012 4:50:10 PM

lol ohh yeah that's right...


my bad it was engineering school that i learned its almost impossible to fully define all parameters to make an un-biased medical study.

8/13/2012 4:58:01 PM

Mormon diet is the best diet for longevity.

8/13/2012 7:56:36 PM