Intermittent Fasting for HGH and Fat Loss
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free skin care · Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:15 pm

Just be careful to start with something light when you start eating again.

free skin care · Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:18 pm

Yes! I just will never go grocery shopping during the last hour of the fast! I spent double what I normally do! Smile

I wanted to have healthy snacks ready for the first meal...

Anyway, really easy. I did the fast from 1pm to 1pm - so most of the time when i would have been hungry I was sleeping.

I did read several sites on this - but I'd like to ask the group how often to do these fasts.

free skin care · Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:16 pm

I'm currently reading the Warrior Diet and the author says you shouldn't count the time you spend sleeping towards your fasting hours. I was surprised by this.

free skin care · Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:10 am

interesting... Does he say what the reasoning is?

free skin care · Wed Feb 29, 2012 3:08 pm

Hi erg, I'll check the book and get back to you.

free skin care · Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:20 am

Research shows fasting more beneficial for men than women:
http://freetheanimal.com/2012/06/no-ones-power-but-our-own-paleo-sexist-woes-and-an-invitation-to-rise-up-and-roar.html

free skin care · Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:57 am

Very interesting. I am gonna have to digest that a bit.

I do a 24 hour fast once a week (sometimes twice) and love the way I feel the day after. With the heat of summer I find that I want to eat less anyway.

free skin care · Thu Jun 14, 2012 9:55 am

erg wrote:

Very interesting. I am gonna have to digest that a bit.

I do a 24 hour fast once a week (sometimes twice) and love the way I feel the day after. With the heat of summer I find that I want to eat less anyway.

I've found my appetite has increased lately and have shortened my fasts to 16 hour or less. Article does make a lot of good points.

free skin care · Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:04 am

I've read the links in this thread...can someone point me toward the studies that show the benefits of fasting (HGH boost, etc.)

BFG

free skin care · Sun Jun 17, 2012 6:16 am

I did a quick PubMed search and pulled up the following review articles, for example:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21982873
J Nutr Biochem. 2005 Mar;16(3):129-37.
Beneficial effects of intermittent fasting and caloric restriction on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems.
Mattson MP, Wan R.
Source
Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. mattsonm@grc.nia.nih.gov
Abstract
Intermittent fasting (IF; reduced meal frequency) and caloric restriction (CR) extend lifespan and increase resistance to age-related diseases in rodents and monkeys and improve the health of overweight humans. Both IF and CR enhance cardiovascular and brain functions and improve several risk factors for coronary artery disease and stroke including a reduction in blood pressure and increased insulin sensitivity. Cardiovascular stress adaptation is improved and heart rate variability is increased in rodents maintained on an IF or a CR diet. Moreover, rodents maintained on an IF regimen exhibit increased resistance of heart and brain cells to ischemic injury in experimental models of myocardial infarction and stroke. The beneficial effects of IF and CR result from at least two mechanisms--reduced oxidative damage and increased cellular stress resistance. Recent findings suggest that some of the beneficial effects of IF on both the cardiovascular system and the brain are mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling in the brain. Interestingly, cellular and molecular effects of IF and CR on the cardiovascular system and the brain are similar to those of regular physical exercise, suggesting shared mechanisms. A better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which IF and CR affect the blood vessels and heart and brain cells will likely lead to novel preventative and therapeutic strategies for extending health span.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20228939
Aging (Albany NY). 2010 Dec 11;2(1):7-27.
Effect of feeding regimens on circadian rhythms: implications for aging and longevity.
Froy O, Miskin R.
Source
Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel. froy@agri.huji.ac.il
Abstract
Increased longevity and improved health can be achieved in mammals by two feeding regimens, caloric restriction (CR), which limits the amount of daily calorie intake, and intermittent fasting (IF), which allows the food to be available ad libitum every other day. The precise mechanisms mediating these beneficial effects are still unresolved. Resetting the circadian clock is another intervention that can lead to increased life span and well being, while clock disruption is associated with aging and morbidity. Currently, a large body of evidence links circadian rhythms with metabolism and feeding regimens. In particular, CR, and possibly also IF, can entrain the master clock located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the brain hypothalamus. These findings raise the hypothesis that the beneficial effects exerted by these feeding regimens could be mediated, at least in part, through resetting of the circadian clock, thus leading to synchrony in metabolism and physiology. This hypothesis is reinforced by a transgenic mouse model showing spontaneously reduced eating alongside robust circadian rhythms and increased life span. This review will summarize recent findings concerning the relationships between feeding regimens, circadian rhythms, and metabolism with implications for ageing attenuation and life span extension.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17444963
Obes Rev. 2007 May;8(3):211-22.
Fasting - the ultimate diet?
Johnstone AM.
Source
Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, UK. A.Johnstone@rowett.ac.uk
Abstract
Adult humans often undertake acute fasts for cosmetic, religious or medical reasons. For example, an estimated 14% of US adults have reported using fasting as a means to control body weight and this approach has long been advocated as an intermittent treatment for gross refractory obesity. There are unique historical data sets on extreme forms of food restriction that give insight into the consequences of starvation or semi-starvation in previously healthy, but usually non-obese subjects. These include documented medical reports on victims of hunger strike, famine and prisoners of war. Such data provide a detailed account on how the body adapts to prolonged starvation. It has previously been shown that fasting for the biblical period of 40 days and 40 nights is well within the overall physiological capabilities of a healthy adult. However, the specific effects on the human body and mind are less clearly documented, either in the short term (hours) or in the longer term (days). This review asks the following three questions, pertinent to any weight-loss therapy, (i) how effective is the regime in achieving weight loss, (ii) what impact does it have on psychology? and finally, (iii) does it work long-term?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16899414
Ageing Res Rev. 2006 Aug;5(3):332-53. Epub 2006 Aug 8.
Caloric restriction and intermittent fasting: two potential diets for successful brain aging.
Martin B, Mattson MP, Maudsley S.
Source
Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, 5600 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. martinbro@grc.nia.nih.gov
Abstract
The vulnerability of the nervous system to advancing age is all too often manifest in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In this review article we describe evidence suggesting that two dietary interventions, caloric restriction (CR) and intermittent fasting (IF), can prolong the health-span of the nervous system by impinging upon fundamental metabolic and cellular signaling pathways that regulate life-span. CR and IF affect energy and oxygen radical metabolism, and cellular stress response systems, in ways that protect neurons against genetic and environmental factors to which they would otherwise succumb during aging. There are multiple interactive pathways and molecular mechanisms by which CR and IF benefit neurons including those involving insulin-like signaling, FoxO transcription factors, sirtuins and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. These pathways stimulate the production of protein chaperones, neurotrophic factors and antioxidant enzymes, all of which help cells cope with stress and resist disease. A better understanding of the impact of CR and IF on the aging nervous system will likely lead to novel approaches for preventing and treating neurodegenerative disorders.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16011467
Annu Rev Nutr. 2005;25:237-60.
Energy intake, meal frequency, and health: a neurobiological perspective.
Mattson MP.
Source
Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, and Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. mattsonm@grc.nia.nih.gov
Abstract
The size and frequency of meals are fundamental aspects of nutrition that can have profound effects on the health and longevity of laboratory animals. In humans, excessive energy intake is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers and is a major cause of disability and death in industrialized countries. On the other hand, the influence of meal frequency on human health and longevity is unclear. Both caloric (energy) restriction (CR) and reduced meal frequency/intermittent fasting can suppress the development of various diseases and can increase life span in rodents by mechanisms involving reduced oxidative damage and increased stress resistance. Many of the beneficial effects of CR and fasting appear to be mediated by the nervous system. For example, intermittent fasting results in increased production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which increases the resistance of neurons in the brain to dysfunction and degeneration in animal models of neurodegenerative disorders; BDNF signaling may also mediate beneficial effects of intermittent fasting on glucose regulation and cardiovascular function. A better understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms by which meal size and frequency affect human health may lead to novel approaches for disease prevention and treatment.

I'd also heard that the program Eat Stop Eat has dozens of references on fasting. You can also get the mini-book "The Fast-5 Lifestyle" for free atwww.fast-5.com, which has a few references in the appendix. I hope this helps Smile

free skin care · Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:31 am

Found this kooky pro fasting website yesterday- the website of Karen Kellock, Ph.D:
http://www.karenkellock.org/

Sun Jun 17, 2012 2:06 pm

So I am now on vacation. I want to seriously begin a sensible and effective fasting program during my vacation since it's much easier than while I'm working.

I have read a little more about fasting over the past few months, but there's so much information out there and so many different recommendations, it's confusing. I have done a few one and two day fasts and felt pretty great afterwards.

Have any of you done the alternate day fasting? Isn't this supposed to increase longevity the most? I am wondering if I should try this with myself and my doggies over my vacation? I have read some amazing healing stories with water fasting.

Where do I start?

Thanks!

free skin care · Sun Jun 17, 2012 6:25 pm

Fairydogmother wrote:

So I am now on vacation. I want to seriously begin a sensible and effective fasting program during my vacation since it's much easier than while I'm working.

I have read a little more about fasting over the past few months, but there's so much information out there and so many different recommendations, it's confusing. I have done a few one and two day fasts and felt pretty great afterwards.

Have any of you done the alternate day fasting? Isn't this supposed to increase longevity the most? I am wondering if I should try this with myself and my doggies over my vacation? I have read some amazing healing stories with water fasting.

Where do I start?

Thanks!

One of my friends (works at a medical research institute) said a bunch of them tried the alternate day fasting (in the name of science) for 1 month and said it was pretty miserable. They binged on their allowed feeding days and were cranky on their fasting days. You might want to instead either try an alternate day modified fast (e.g. 50% of calories on the "fast" day; see Dr. Johnson's The Alternate-Day Diet.) Or I recommend just eating in a narrower window, like Fast-5 (seewww.fast-5.com for a free book). Other programs I've heard are good are IF Life, Eat Stop Eat, and leangains.com. Hope this helps Smile

free skin care · Sat Jun 23, 2012 3:53 pm

Cm, I am going to give Fast 5 a shot based on your recommendation. I am really struggling with my thyroid and diet issues these days, and maybe this will help.

free skin care · Sun Jun 24, 2012 6:16 am

bethany wrote:

Cm, I am going to give Fast 5 a shot based on your recommendation. I am really struggling with my thyroid and diet issues these days, and maybe this will help.

Good luck, Bethany! I'd recommend starting at 8 hours and then working your way down at your own pace to something that works for you. Oh, and I also do my eating window in the morning, around 9 am - 2-3 pm. I find a morning window much more doable for me, as then I get my nourishment earlier in the day and hence don't get cravings later. So you might need to play around with the eating window to figure out what works best for you.

I hope it works well for you. Smile

free skin care · Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:21 am

cm5597 wrote:

bethany wrote:

Cm, I am going to give Fast 5 a shot based on your recommendation. I am really struggling with my thyroid and diet issues these days, and maybe this will help.

Good luck, Bethany! I'd recommend starting at 8 hours and then working your way down at your own pace to something that works for you. Oh, and I also do my eating window in the morning, around 9 am - 2-3 pm. I find a morning window much more doable for me, as then I get my nourishment earlier in the day and hence don't get cravings later. So you might need to play around with the eating window to figure out what works best for you.

I hope it works well for you. Smile

Thanks for the recommendation....that sounds like a great approach!

free skin care · Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:52 am

Just got 2 new articles about it; one is about fasting and the thyroid and the other addresses whether IF is good for women or not:

Does Fasting Affect Women Differently Than Men?
http://defensenutrition.com/blog/2012/06/does-fasting-affect-women-differently-than-men/

In view of the current epidemic of excess estrogen in females and males, caused by estrogenic chemicals and foods (such as petrochemicals and soy), fasting and intermittent fasting can be used as an effective therapeutic strategy to balance estrogen and prevent related metabolic disorders and cancer.

Intermittent Fasting as a Therapy for Hypothyroidism
http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2010/12/intermittent-fasting-as-a-therapy-for-hypothyroidism/

Since the circadian rhythm is affected by both food and light exposure, lifestyle practices can enhance natural circadian rhythms. These practices should optimize the circadian cycle:

*Light entrainment: Get daytime sun exposure, and sleep in a totally darkened room.
*Daytime feeding: Eat during daylight hours, so that food rhythms and light rhythms are in synch.
*Intermittent fasting: Concentrate food intake during an 8-hour window during daylight hours, preferably the afternoon. A 16-hour fast leading to lower blood sugar and insulin levels, and the more intense hormonal response to food that results from concentration of daily calories into a short 8-hour time window, will accentuate the diurnal rhythm.
*Adequate carb intake: Eat at least 400 “safe starch” carbohydrate calories daily during the afternoon feeding window. Relative to a very low-carb diet, this will increase daytime insulin release and, by increasing insulin sensitivity, may reduce fasting insulin levels. It will thus enhance diurnal insulin rhythm.

free skin care · Sun Jul 01, 2012 11:02 pm

Gretchen, thanks for that last article...my thyroid is going bonkers right now!

free skin care · Fri Jul 06, 2012 2:20 am

I'll have to look at ESE as the other references don't appear to point to any proven benefits in humans.

Thanks, BFG

free skin care · Sat Jul 07, 2012 11:52 am

I have been doing this myself, not knowing other people were doing this too, as a formula.
I started it because I was doing the master cleanse, and then went off a few days, doing green smoothies, then some raw, then back to fasting.

I felt so much better, my stiffness in my joints went away and so forth. It seems easier to not eat anything at all for a day or more than to be on a diet all the time.

I started thinking about mixing it up, where I was half fasting, and half raw, so my body would not lower my metabolism.

I am not on this site that often, and not in this section. I am glad to find that there is a formula for this. If you are going to not eat, it is nice to know there are little tweaks to do to maximize your efforts--kinda like holding a bar bell incorrectly, what a waste of time that was!
I am taking deer antler drops to get the IGF up there, bypassing hgh altogether, no liver conversion involved.

I am also doing it in rounds, so my body does not get used to it, and also trying to figure out the best times to use it, for instance, would it be best right after exercise?
I do not want to waste it.

free skin care · Sun Jul 08, 2012 8:04 am

Hey SanSouci,

That's so awesome that you are finding that a combination of raw and some fasting is working terrifically for you. I've been thrilled with eating lots of raw fruits and veggies (particularly in the form of green smoothies) and doing intermittent fasting in the form of eating all my food each day in a narrow time window. I feel amazing, have better skin, sleep better, and have less cellulite. Yay, that's great that you are having such good results! Smile

On a side note, though, I want caution you against taking IGF. It's been linked to cancers and in rodents, it shortens lifespan. In fact, some of the longest lived rodents have the lowest levels of IGF. Moreover, high levels of IGF have been correlated with increased risk of chronic disease. That's why people are excited that caloric restriction and other positive lifestyle habits lower IGF levels. So high levels are seen as a bad thing and a marker of accelerated aging. Similar is true of HGH, which is why there are warnings against taking these 2 growth factors. HTH Smile

free skin care · Sun Jul 08, 2012 12:02 pm

cm5597 wrote:

Hey SanSouci,

On a side note, though, I want caution you against taking IGF. It's been linked to cancers and in rodents, it shortens lifespan. In fact, some of the longest lived rodents have the lowest levels of IGF. Moreover, high levels of IGF have been correlated with increased risk of chronic disease. That's why people are excited that caloric restriction and other positive lifestyle habits lower IGF levels. So high levels are seen as a bad thing and a marker of accelerated aging. Similar is true of HGH, which is why there are warnings against taking these 2 growth factors. HTH Smile

Thanks for the information regarding IGF. What I like about the tinctures is it is the entire spectrum, in balance.
I will read more about people wanting to lower it instead-- I had not heard of that angle before. I have never heard of anyone wanting to lower hgh either, quite the opposite, that a lack of it is what causes aging. How interesting. I was on a number of anti-aging lists and read the complete opposite, that their hair color turned back for example, starting with their eyebrow hairs in regards to appearance, then the pounds would fall off.
First, they always noticed their attitude though, it was more alive and less apathetic, and all zesty, like they were in their 20's. Then their skin started going back, getting thicker and so forth.
It was very fun to read what was reverting back. I had been on these lists for years and felt like I kinda knew the people. I lost my connection to get hgh, and came across the deer antler quite by accident. I like the idea of it even better.

free skin care · Mon Jul 09, 2012 7:55 am

Have decided I'm done with intermittent fasting- just no need to do that with my metabolical enhancing Ray Peat system.

free skin care · Mon Jul 09, 2012 12:08 pm

Last night, I read the ebook Fast Eat Stop. I am intrigued about it raising your hgh. Everyone says that after a certain age, you are doomed in that regard, nothing raises it except shots.
But he writes, if you fast, it does go back up.

I want to ask this guy, even for us in our 50's and beyond? I did not see this question as a FAQ. Does anyone here know?

I am not fasting just for weight loss, although that is one of the most obvious things I am doing it for.
I do it to get rid of my stiffness, to clear my head and so forth too. All the things that fasting does--I do a liver flush too, for instance, and take some blood cleansers, do the whole 9 yards. That is probably a totally different subject though--as those are long term fasts, over ten days. It sounds like you can get some of those benefits with short ones too though.

I always thought it was bs you are supposed to eat every two hours. Good gawd, who has time for that? My mom kept telling me that, and she is really fat.
I told her, the people in Europe do not eat every two hours, in fact, they fast now and then.
She got mad at me, and shouted, I am an American!
(And I thought to myself, a fat American.) With my mom, you would have to think that, and not say it. Wink

free skin care · Thu Jul 12, 2012 12:05 am

I've been doing this diet and its very beneficial. I'm doing it only one day a week now. I was getting to thin with the 2 days a week.

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