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> Steve Jobs was a regular faster. He also died of cancer at a fairly young age after trying to treat it with diet instead of medical treatment. Probably not the best health role model.
To be fair, pancreatic cancer doesn't offer much hope even with treatment.
> Steve Jobs was a regular faster. He also died of cancer at a fairly young age after trying to treat it with diet instead of medical treatment. Probably not the best health role model.
To be fair, pancreatic cancer doesn't offer much hope even with treatment.
"In spite of pleas from family and friends, he tried to cure himself through acupuncture sessions, drinking special fruit juices, visiting "spiritualists" and using other treatments he found on the internet.
Some cancer experts have said that Mr Jobs may have extended his life or even survived if he had promptly tackled his cancer aggressively with scientifically proven medical treatments."
There are two main sources of fuel for the human body: ketones (derived from fat) and glucose (derived from carbohydrates). Ketones aren't a fuel, they are byproduct of burning fatty acids. As an analogy, Ketones aren't wood (fuel), they are ashes (byproduct).
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-Hydroxybutyric_acid
How much of that went back on again shortly afterwards, though? I have sometimes lost several pounds very quickly as a result of dehydration, but this is generally not healthy and the loss is temporary. I've sometimes been sick and not had much of an appetite, resulting in staying in bed for several days and hardly eating anything. Again, I lost several pounds, but even with a modest and very healthy food intake for the next few days, much of the weight then went back on again as my body recovered.
For example insulin and the growth hormones interact, and being well fed can have counter-intuitive consequences.
e.g: Overfeeding kids might be counterproductive for their growth.
If you're pursuing "weight loss" or fat loss or general fitness/wellness/lightness, I think any form of fasting is useful and interesting.
However, it seems to me that if you are optimizing for starving cancer cells, forcing weak cells into apoptosis, depleting your sugar stores, resetting insulin resistance, etc. ... that is to say, if you're pursuing the more interesting, second order benefits of fasting - you really should be doing the zero calorie kind.
I do a 24 hour fast once weekly with just (black) coffee and water ... I guess I cannot speak to how difficult zero calories would be for 2-4 days ...
Fasting is definitely underappreciated. As are cold showers and deep breathing a la Wim Hof.
It's good that fasting is gaining acceptance. But I also don't like shoving it down other peoples throat. Let them take it up and discover the benefits themselves.
"But I also don't like shoving it down other peoples throat."
Earlier quoted context omitted.
No doubt Steve Jobs is a role model as an Innovator. But as a health role model, not so much.
It's sad so many people put in all the effort of a vegan diet, then end up with worse health outcomes. On the other hand, a vegan diet based on whole foods, not processed like oils and flours, and avoiding too much omega-6 oil and sugar has an astonishing range of health benefits. I'm surprised this site hasn't been posted / discussed on HN before: http://nutritionfacts.org
Historically, we can trace our brain development alongside evidence of the use of fire. I would never use the raw-food diet because science tells me it's not adequate. Regardless, it may have health benefits.