The Fasting Doctor: “Fasting Cures Obesity!”, This Controversial New Drug Melts Fat, Fasting Fixes Hormones! Skip Breakfast!
Jan 22, 2024
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Dr. Jason Fung, a nephrologist and a leading expert in intermittent fasting, dives deep into the myths surrounding weight loss and the importance of hormonal balance. He discusses how insulin contributes to obesity and why skipping breakfast can be beneficial. The conversation challenges traditional dieting beliefs, emphasizing the power of fasting and genetic factors in weight management. Dr. Fung also sheds light on the significance of dietary choices and the impact of the new GLP-1 medications for appetite control.
Weight gain and obesity are influenced by hormonal balance, not just calories in and out.
Intermittent fasting activates hormonal mechanisms that promote fat burning and sustainable weight loss.
Food choices, timing of meals, and reducing snacking can positively impact metabolic health and weight loss.
Deep dives
The importance of understanding hormones for weight loss
Dr. Jason Fung discusses the significance of understanding the role of hormones in weight loss. He emphasizes that weight gain and obesity are not solely a result of calories in and calories out, but rather the hormonal balance in the body. Hormones like insulin play a key role in instructing the body to store energy as fat. The focus should be on controlling hunger and regulating the hormones behind calorie storage, rather than simply reducing calorie intake.
Intermittent fasting as a weight loss tool
Dr. Fung advocates for intermittent fasting as an effective tool for weight loss. He highlights that fasting allows the body to tap into its fat stores and burn calories. By extending the fasting period and reducing the frequency of meals, individuals can activate the hormonal mechanisms that promote fat burning. Fasting also helps in increasing metabolic rate and controlling hunger, leading to sustainable weight loss.
The impact of food choices and timing on weight loss
Dr. Fung emphasizes that food choices go beyond calories and directly influence hormonal balance. Processed foods with refined carbohydrates and high insulin response can lead to weight gain, as insulin instructs the body to store energy as fat. On the other hand, eating foods with fiber and lower insulin response, such as whole grains and proteins, can help regulate hunger and support weight loss. Additionally, the timing of meals, including reducing snacking and allowing for longer fasting periods, can have a positive impact on metabolic health.
Challenging conventional wisdom and misconceptions
Dr. Fung challenges conventional wisdom surrounding weight loss, highlighting the importance of understanding hormones and the food environment. He debunked the myth that exercise alone leads to significant weight loss, explaining that the calories burned during exercise are relatively small compared to overall energy balance. He also addressed the misconception that breakfast is essential for weight loss, emphasizing that fasting in the morning can be beneficial for controlling hunger and regulating hormones.
The Power of Fasting and Autophagy
Fasting and autophagy have been proven to have numerous benefits for the body. Fasting allows the body to clean out excess glucose and fat, while autophagy breaks down old and damaged proteins, promoting rejuvenation. Intermittent fasting and low-carbohydrate diets have shown promise in reversing type 2 diabetes, offering a drug-free solution to those affected. Despite the evidence supporting these methods, there is resistance to change within the medical community, often driven by a narrow focus on calories in versus calories out. Breaking the stigma and expanding the understanding of weight loss beyond just calorie counting is crucial to helping people achieve lasting health.
The Reversibility of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is primarily a dietary disease and can be reversed by changing one's diet. Low-carbohydrate diets and intermittent fasting have shown great success in reducing blood glucose levels and improving insulin sensitivity. These approaches have the potential to treat or even cure 50% of type 2 diabetics, offering a drug-free and cost-effective solution. However, the resistance to change within the medical community, due to entrenched beliefs and a focus on pharmaceutical interventions, hinders the widespread adoption of these approaches. By understanding the hormonal aspects of weight loss and the impact of diet, we can reverse the rising rates of type 2 diabetes and drive lasting change in healthcare.
There seems to be endless ways to lose weight and yet none seem to work, but could it be that there was one health metric that held the key to long term weight loss?
Dr Jason Fung is a nephrologist (medical expert specialising in kidneys) and world-leading expert in intermittent fasting and low-carb diets. He is the author of bestselling books such as, ‘The Obesity Code’, ‘The Diabetes Code’, and ‘The Complete Guide to Fasting’.
In this interview, Steven and Dr Jason discuss everything from the history behind dieting myths, how insulin causes weight gain, why you don’t need breakfast, how obesity is genetic, and the power of fasting.
You can purchase Jason’s book, ‘The Diabetes Code: Prevent and Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Naturally’, here: https://amzn.to/47K90z0
