The Fasting Method Podcast

Episode #158 In this Fasting Q&A episode, hosted by Coach Lisa Chance, Dr. Jason Fung answers questions from the TFM Community: Does fasting help with not choking for an impacted oesophagus? [01:58] I have been struggling with my fasting due to terrible headaches that last days after 36-hour fasts. I've been put on a bunch of supplements to support me with detoxification including liver supplements, B vitamins, and activated charcoal, but I find that these can sometimes make the headaches worse. I've been advised to do shorter fasts but this doesn't result in any weight loss. Any idea how I can move past this? [03:36] How many meals between fasts is ideal for weight loss? Two or three meals a day? [07:21]  I understand how excess carbohydrates can be stored as fat (via insulin)., but I'm having a hard time understanding how dietary fat is utilised and stored if we go low carb and increase our fat intake. Isn't dietary fat stored as fat? I am confused about how we are able to burn body fat while eating more dietary fat. [09:25]  Which fasting protocols would you recommend for people who have a low BMI but still have insulin resistance? [13:09] Does miso soup break a fast? It would be a great source of salt and I prefer savory drinks to sour. [15:33] I got a CGM so that I could see my glucose response to various foods. Is it correct to assume/conclude that, if I see an increase or spike in glucose, there will be a corresponding increase in insulin? And, conversely, if I do not see an increase in glucose, there is little or no increase in insulin? Could there be a situation where glucose does not go up but insulin does? Is there a correlation between an increase in ketones and a decrease in insulin? [16:41]  I’ve measured consistently high in oxalate on an OAT test over the last decade. I’ve read that oxalates are difficult to measure in the body, outside of stones which I'm hoping to preempt. Will fasting, detoxing, releasing toxins help reduce high oxalates? [18:03]  Fasts longer than 48 hours have triggered inflammation in individual finger joints. Is that a potentially common way for detoxing or autophagy to present (meaning, the specific, targeted area rather than more broad based)? [19:59]  Could you please address the subject of metabolic flexibility? Is it possible to be too fat adapted? [21:22]  Since cancer is a disease of too much growth and fasting slows down growth, why is it not a good addition to *most* chemo therapies when the patient has sufficient fat mass to allow for fasting? [24:45]  In their book, Brain Energy, Dr. Chris Palmer talks about how ketones are beneficial for brain function. In your Toronto clinic, back in the day, did the patients who fasted under your and Megan Ramos's supervision anecdotally report mental health improvements as they progressed through therapeutic fasting regimens? [30:42]  Why do different people need potentially drastically different amounts of magnesium supplementation when they eat the same foods? My partner and I are almost identical age and weight, and have the same activity level and diet. They do not benefit at all from magnesium supplementation, while I need almost four times the recommended daily dose to feel good and not have muscle cramps. [32:21] Please note that you need to be a member of the TFM Community to submit questions to the Q&A webinars with Dr. Fung but you can submit questions to our regular Q&A episodes here: https://bit.ly/TFMPodcastQs   Transcripts of all episodes are available at www.thefastingmethod.com on the Podcast page. Learn More About Our Community: https://www.thefastingmethod.com Join our FREE Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/TFMNetwork Watch Us On YouTube: https://bit.ly/TFMYouTube Follow Us on Instagram: @fastingmethod   This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting  any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Episode #157 In this episode, Terri is joined by TFM's Jamie Cipriani to discuss a book they both found powerful. They discuss This Naked Mind by Annie Grace in which she shares her own break from her problematic relationship with alcohol and how others can change this aspect of their lives. Jamie and Terri discuss how this may resonate for you if alcohol is interfering with your journey, and also dig into the parallel of addictive foods and how we may struggle in deciding whether to let them go.  Transcripts of all episodes are available on the Podcast page at www.thefastingmethod.com Please Submit Your Questions for the Q&A episodes here: https://bit.ly/TFMPodcastQs Learn More About Our Community: https://www.thefastingmethod.com Join our FREE Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/TFMNetwork Watch Us On YouTube: https://bit.ly/TFMYouTube Follow Us on Instagram: @fastingmethod This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting  any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Episode #156 In this episode Dr. Terri Lance addresses some common topics that arise in TFM Community meetings, the TFM Forum, and with her coaching clients. Tune in to find out more about: People pleasing [02:09] Managing stress without leaning into problematic food behaviours [11:46] Is distraction a helpful strategy for managing stress? [25:18]   Transcripts of all episodes are available on the Podcast page at www.thefastingmethod.com Please Submit Your Questions for the Q&A episodes here: https://bit.ly/TFMPodcastQs Learn More About Our Community: https://www.thefastingmethod.com Join our FREE Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/TFMNetwork Watch Us On YouTube: https://bit.ly/TFMYouTube Follow Us on Instagram: @fastingmethod This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting  any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Episode #155 In this episode Dr. Nadia Pateguana and TFM’s Coach Bethany discuss fasting and exercise.  Tune in to find out more about: Bethany’s story How active people and athletes can also have metabolic diseases Is it safe to work out in a fasted state? Exercise for fat loss Muscle building vs muscle strength What is Zone 2 training? Exercise and longevity Setting an exercise foundation Training for power Hunger when exercising and fasting TFM Community questions Transcripts of all episodes are available on the Podcast page at www.thefastingmethod.com Please Submit Your Questions for the Q&A episodes here: https://bit.ly/TFMPodcastQs Learn More About Our Community: https://www.thefastingmethod.com Join our FREE Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/TFMNetwork Watch Us On YouTube: https://bit.ly/TFMYouTube Follow Us on Instagram: @fastingmethod This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting  any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Episode #154 In this Fasting Q&A episode, hosted by Coach Lisa Chance, Dr. Jason Fung answers questions from the TFM Community: If someone is glucose sensitive, not insulin resistant, with an A1C of under 5.0, would they still have a dawn effect happen? If they did, what would the dawn effect bump in glucose possibly be? [02:12] I have a smart scale. In addition to weight, it has metabolic rate, body fat %, etc. I am interested in knowing if the relative changes (as opposed to the absolute number) would be useful to know. Similarly, I am interested in reducing visceral fat. If that number goes down by 10%, might that be a helpful indicator about the direction that things are going in and whether what I am doing is working? [05:56]  What’s your take on kombucha? [09:35] I read a book named “The One Minute Cure: The Secret to Healing Virtually All Diseases.”  It is a therapy with H2O2 in Food Grade of 35% or 3% (diluted in Distilled Water). I have tried this therapy and every time I test my blood sugar after 30 minutes of taking it, it lowers my blood sugar by more than 17 mg/dL. I was wondering if you have studied this therapy and what you think about it? [11:32] I find it easier to fast during work. However, I have a stressful job with long hours. Could cortisol/high stress be negating the benefits of the fast? Would I be better off using TRE and save fasting for my off days? [13:08] This month’s TFM Group Challenge is ‘Giving Up Your Vices’. Megan’s first video discussed A2 dairy. What is your take on this and what is the appropriate amount of A2 dairy each day? I know Coach Nadia says ‘sparingly’, but it’s not clear what that means when it comes to sheep/goat/A2 dairy. Does it matter what kind of dairy it is if it’s still all insulinogenic? [15:13] I’ve tried many different forms of salt and even tried making my own salt capsules, yet, without fail, I end up feeling nauseous shortly after taking it. Is there anything else I can do to quell the nausea? Do some people just not need salt or have a medical reason why salt makes them nauseous? Is there anything else I can try? [19:06] How high should a [blood sugar] spike be after meals, and when should your blood sugar levels return to the pre-meal range? [21:46] How do I know when I’m fat-adapted?[23:37] If someone has high triglycerides, is it a pretty good guess that they also have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease? [26:07]  Do you have any tips on how I can do intermittent fasting without losing weight? My goal is to lower my A1C and be less dependent on medication while improving my health. [28:02] I am a lifetime vegetarian and have always eaten very clean, whole foods. I have been fasting since 1979 and I easily fast for weeks, change up the fasting protocol, etc, but the pounds just will not budge. How can I use fasting to drop this weight? [30:39] Please note that you need to be a member of the TFM Community to submit questions to the Q&A webinars with Dr. Fung but you can submit questions to our regular Q&A episodes here: https://bit.ly/TFMPodcastQs Transcripts of all episodes are available at www.thefastingmethod.com on the Podcast page. Learn More About Our Community: https://www.thefastingmethod.com Join our FREE Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/TFMNetwork Watch Us On YouTube: https://bit.ly/TFMYouTube Follow Us on Instagram: @fastingmethod This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting  any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Episode #153 In this episode, Terri gets to share an amazing member transformation that can help everyone foster their hope that they can accomplish their goals, despite the challenges and discouragement from others.  Transcripts of all episodes are available on the Podcast page at www.thefastingmethod.com Please Submit Your Questions for the Q&A episodes here: https://bit.ly/TFMPodcastQs Learn More About Our Community: https://www.thefastingmethod.com Join our FREE Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/TFMNetwork Watch Us On YouTube: https://bit.ly/TFMYouTube Follow Us on Instagram: @fastingmethod This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting  any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Episode #152 In this Fasting Q&A episode, Megan Ramos answers some of your fasting questions: 1. I have just started fasting and am struggling to extend my fasts to 36 hours as I have two small children and we eat dinner together every day. Any tips? [01:57] 2. I do IF five days a week, a 36-hour fast and no fasting on the other two days. I feel fantastic and the weight is coming off, However, my hair has recently started thinning. I’ve heard this could be because fasting is a stressor on the body. I also work out 3-4 times a week and have two jobs, one of which is pretty stressful and high pressure. Is the weekly 36-hour fast just too much for me? [07:40] 3. I’ve progressed into a 3x42 protocol over three months and the NSVs and systemic healing has been miraculous! I’ve not seen a weight or body-fat decrease over the last four weeks after a 25-pound loss in the first few months. Is a plateau this long normal? [12:25]  4. Would you recommend leaning heavily into fat fasting when initially trying to establish a pattern of therapeutic fasting? I am finding it easier to do longer fasts (24 hours+) when I fat fast beforehand, but have some concern that maybe this could have long-term implications. It almost seems like ‘dieting’ which will end once the therapeutic level of fasting ends and then I will have to reestablish another eating pattern? [16:16]  5. I quit coffee a few months ago as it was affecting my sleep and I would also experience extreme sugar cravings 1-2 hours after drinking it. Since stopping coffee, I have noticed similar effects with green and black tea plus I also get the jitters and an increased heart rate. Most recently, I have been getting insomnia after eating dark chocolate. Clearly, I am becoming more sensitive to caffeine! Is this common for fasters? Or maybe it is age related? I’m a 43-year-old woman. [20:50] 6. I have been fasting for almost two years (alternate-day fasting). I notice it takes longer for me to digest meals now vs before I started fasting. Is this normal and does this mean it also takes me longer to get into a fasted state now? [24:59] 7. I need help with keto breath/tongue! I’ve tried drinking more water, mouth wash, tongue scrapers, food-grade hydrogen peroxide mixed with water. No change! I makes me gag so much I just want to eat to make it stop! The only thing I haven’t tried is oil pulling. Help! [28:51]   Please Submit Your Questions here: https://bit.ly/TFMPodcastQs   Transcripts of all episodes are available at www.thefastingmethod.com on the Podcast page. Learn More About Our Community: https://www.thefastingmethod.com Join our FREE Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/TFMNetwork Watch Us On YouTube: https://bit.ly/TFMYouTube Follow Us on Instagram: @fastingmethod   This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting  any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Episode #151 In this episode, Nadia and Terri discuss fasting when post menopausal. They share some information about how fasting at this stage may vary from when pre or peri-menopausal. Hopefully, you will hear their message affirming that fasting is still effective and possible, despite the change in hormones at this stage in life.  Transcripts of all episodes are available on the Podcast page at www.thefastingmethod.com Please Submit Your Questions for the Q&A episodes here: https://bit.ly/TFMPodcastQs Learn More About Our Community: https://www.thefastingmethod.com Join our FREE Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/TFMNetwork Watch Us On YouTube: https://bit.ly/TFMYouTube Follow Us on Instagram: @fastingmethod   This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting  any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Episode #150 In the first episode of the new Fasting Basics series, Megan Ramos talks about how to eat before you start your fast.  Do you need to be following a ketogenic diet and be in ketosis before you start fasting? Do you need to eat a lot before starting a fast? Tune in to find out the answers to these questions and much more. This new Fasting Basics series will be your definitive guide to how to start fasting, and help you start with ease and confidence.   Transcripts of all episodes are available on the Podcast page at www.thefastingmethod.com Please Submit Your Questions for the Q&A episodes here: https://bit.ly/TFMPodcastQs Learn More About Our Community: https://www.thefastingmethod.com Join our FREE Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/TFMNetwork Watch Us On YouTube: https://bit.ly/TFMYouTube Follow Us on Instagram: @fastingmethod   This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting  any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Episode #149 In this Fasting Q&A episode, hosted by Coach Lisa Chance, Dr. Jason Fung answers questions from the TFM Community: I’ve heard you’ve written an amazing book called, “The Cancer Code.”  I haven’t read it yet, but wanted to hear your thoughts on broccolini being an anti-cancer food.  I understand it contains Sulforaphane, Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), Glucosinolates, Vitamin C, and fiber.  Should I concentrate on cruciferous vegetables, like broccolini, or just work on getting a balanced diet?  What are your thoughts? [02:14] I have a little confusion about the difference between taking metformin and injecting insulin. From what I've read in your books it's that insulin is going to make type 2 diabetes worse in the long run. I already know that that’s not the answer to reverse type two diabetes and I’m not taking either one. Like insulin, will metformin also be detrimental to treat T2D or is there a difference between one and the other - and why, please? [05:27]  What do they mean by 'immunoreactive insulin'? [12:06] Does the liver respond negatively to the ingestion of supplements? In other words, do the supplements cause any changes in my insulin? [14:52] I started TRE (beginning Jan this year) at about 135 pounds and am now doing 24-hour fasts with OMAD and 2MAD. I have completed a 42-hour fast and will probably try another one this week. I am eating whole foods. Avocados are my miracle!!!  I do not snack between meals. My body is still releasing weight with what I am doing now and I feel I have another 5 pounds to go. How will I know when to stop shedding the weight? [18:13] Can you clarify the role of physical activity and exercise in weight loss? In The Obesity Code, you shared that a number of rigorous clinical trials demonstrate that exercise contributes minimally, if at all, to weight loss. However, zone 2 exercise is promoted for its'fat burnin' benefits. I plan to continue exercising for its health-promoting benefits but I would really like to hear your take on the extent to which it can assist with weight loss, and what exercise types you recommend for weight loss. [21:56] On non-fasting days, what is Dr. Fung’s chosen style of eating? [29:46]   Please note that you need to be a member of the TFM Community to submit questions to the Q&A webinars with Dr. Fung but you can submit questions to our regular Q&A episodes here: https://bit.ly/TFMPodcastQs   Transcripts of all episodes are available at www.thefastingmethod.com on the Podcast page. Learn More About Our Community: https://www.thefastingmethod.com Join our FREE Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/TFMNetwork Watch Us On YouTube: https://bit.ly/TFMYouTube Follow Us on Instagram: @fastingmethod   This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting  any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.