Fasting: A Hopeful Journey in Cancer and Mental Health

In the last several years, intermittent fasting — only eating for a short window each day — has gotten a lot of attention, particularly for the way it can facilitate weight loss. But as my guest will explain, going longer than a few hours or even a full day without eating also has some striking, potentially even life-changing benefits too, and may be able to heal a variety of health issues. 

Steve Hendricks is the author of The Oldest Cure in the World: Adventures in the Art and Science of Fasting. He spends the first part of this conversation offering a thumbnail sketch of the history of extended fasting as a medical treatment. From there, we get into what emerging modern science is showing as to how prolonged fasts lasting days or even weeks can prevent and even cure a variety of diseases, from type 2 diabetes to rheumatoid arthritis. We then talk about fasting's effect on cancer, and how it may address mental health issues by offering a metabolic reset. If you're an intermittent faster, you'll be interested to hear why it is you should ideally schedule your eating window for earlier rather than later in the day. We end our conversation with how to get started with extended fasting.

Resources Related to the Episode

• AoM Article: The Spiritual Disciplines — Fasting
• AoM Article: How Intermittent Fasting Can Help You Lose Fat, Gain Muscle, and Get Healthier
• AoM Podcast #328: The Pros and Cons of Intermittent Fasting
• AoM Podcast #624: The Crazy, Forgotten Story of America’s First Fitness Influencer
• Henry S. Tanner
• Minnesota Starvation Experiment 
• Professor Valter Longo
• AoM Podcast #852: The Brain Energy Theory of Mental Illness

Connect With Steve Hendricks

• Steve's Website, including his answers to FAQs on fasting