Fasting Q&A: eTRE, Weight-Loss Plateaus, Fasting and Menstrual Cycles, Dawn Phenomenon

Episode #27 

In this Fasting Q&A episode, Megan and Nadia answer your fasting questions:

1. I’ve heard Dr. Fung say to skip breakfast, but recently in one of Dr. Nadia’s groups, I heard her recommend early time-restricted eating. Could you clarify this for me? [00:47]

2. This coming February I will have been fasting for two years. I fast 18 hours a day and exercise almost daily. I have hit the world's biggest plateau the last 6 months and just cannot lose any more inches/fat/weight. I'm definitely becoming more toned, but I'm not really getting smaller. I'm wondering if I'm at my body's resting weight or if I need to shake things up with my eating? I eat very balanced meals with protein, carbs and veggies. I could probably stand to NOT eat a cookie here or there. Since listening to your podcast, I have been sprinkling in one 24-hour fast a week and this week I am aiming for two 24-hour fasts. [08:26]

3.  I've been fasting for a couple of months. I have read a lot about the fasting cycle with the menstrual cycle and I have heard you say it's easier to do longer fasts in the first week of the menstrual cycle. That's actually what I'm doing - three 36 or 42-hour fasts in my first week. The rest of my cycle I do 18-hour fasts and only 12-hour fasts in my 4th week. With that «protocol» I have lost 20 pounds in 3 months, but should I limit those longer fast to the first week of my cycle? [14:13] 

4. How much does gluconeogenesis/the dawn phenomenon impact blood sugars early in the morning? A family member who is fasting and is type 2 diabetic has blood sugars of 150 or so at 6am but 95 later in the morning during a fast. I suspect the dawn phenomenon but I have no idea how much it could impact someone’s blood sugars. [20:20] 

Episode Links

Dr. Jason Fung’s article: The Critical Importance of Meal Timing

https://blog.thefastingmethod.com/the-critical-importance-of-meal-timing-for-weight-loss/

Have questions you want us to answer? Please email them to: podcast@thefastingmethod.com