Fasting Q&A with Dr Jason Fung: Fasting and Insomnia, Autophagy Research, HDL/Trigs Ratio, Perimenopausal Weight Gain, Weight-Loss Stalls, and More.
Release Date: 04/29/2025
The Fasting Method Podcast
Episode #212 In this week's episode, Megan and Terri sync up for a special live recording to share their experiences and tips related to making their health and weight-loss journeys long term vs a short-term fix. Because they were recording live, they also invited some TFM Lifetime Members to share their transformations. Sign up TODAY for the Optimize Your Weight (Fat) Loss Workshop with Heather Shuker, CRNP. Starts July 15th. 10% Discount with code PODCAST10 Transcripts of all episodes are available on the Podcast page at Please Submit Your Questions for the...
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Episode #211 In this week's episode, Megan and Heather discuss what is at the heart of The Fasting Method - community. They both share their own experiences of thinking they could go it alone, only to discover that the crucial piece they were missing was the support they could get from (and give to) others. Sign up TODAY for the Optimize Your Weight (Fat) Loss Workshop with Heather Shuker, CRNP. Starts July 15th. 10% Discount with code PODCAST10 Transcripts of all episodes are available on the Podcast page at Please Submit Your Questions for the Q&A episodes...
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Episode #210 In this week's episode, Terri shares some insights from her recent vacation in Barcelona, and how her experiences of vacations and summer socializing has changed since she started fasting and eating low carb. Transcripts of all episodes are available on the Podcast page at Please Submit Your Questions for the Q&A episodes here: Sign up TODAY for the Optimize Your Weight (Fat) Loss Workshop with Heather Shuker, CRNP. Starts July 15th. 10% Discount with code PODCAST10 Explore the TFM Community with a 7-Day FREE TRIAL Book a complimentary...
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Episode #209 In this week's episode, Terri shares a summary of three, key takeaways from her favorite book about habit change, Atomic Habits by James Clear. Terri highlights that, by using these three principles of behavior change in approaching your goals, you will be better able to utilize all the fasting and nutrition knowledge you have been learning, and create sustainable success. Sign up TODAY for the Optimize Your Weight (Fat) Loss Workshop with Heather Shuker, CRNP. Starts July 15th. 10% Discount with code PODCAST10 Transcripts of all episodes are available...
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Episode #208 In this Fasting Q&A episode, hosted by Coach Lisa Chance, Dr. Jason Fung answers questions from the TFM Community: Do you think healthy individuals should take a daily multivitamin? [04:40] I am a 300-pound male and usually have about 20g of protein a day when I fat fast. If I have more, I can’t stick with it. I’ve found that before I do a 66 (two per week), I need about 140-200g of protein the day before in order to complete the fast. In other words, doing a fat fast right before my fast doesn’t hold me and I binge. Is there anything wrong with doing this?...
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Episode #207 In this week's episode, Terri and Coach Heather Shuker cover many keys to therapeutic fasting - what it is, how to build up to it, and how to support yourself to be able to do it consistently. Sign up TODAY for the Optimize Your Weight (Fat) Loss Workshop with Heather Shuker, CRNP. Starts July 15th. 10% Discount with code PODCAST10 Transcripts of all episodes are available on the Podcast page at Please Submit Your Questions for the Q&A episodes here: Explore the TFM Community with a 7-Day FREE TRIAL Book a complimentary 15-minute coaching...
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Episode #206 In this Fasting Q&A episode, hosted by Coach Lisa Chance, Dr. Jason Fung answers questions from the TFM Community: Are there common strategies that help to avoid the common pitfalls of Ramadan, like late night eating, overeating, or accidentally doing OMAD for too long and slowing down the metabolic rate? [01:07] Concerns about off-label use of GLP-1s. Some medical professionals seem to be prescribing GLP-1 medications for anti-aging/longevity purposes in people who aren't overweight or diabetic. What do you think about the trend of “microdosing” GLP-1s as a preventative...
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Episode #205 In this week's episode, Terri is joined by Coach Heather to discuss the challenges they faced in their own fasting journeys. They too had to tackle the side effects and struggles that all of us encounter. Transcripts of all episodes are available on the Podcast page at Please Submit Your Questions for the Q&A episodes here: Sign Up to the How to Fat Fast Masterclass with Dr. Nadia Pateguana here: Discount Code - PODCAST10 Explore the TFM Community with a 7-Day FREE TRIAL Book a complimentary 15-minute coaching intake assessment with one of the...
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Episode #204 In this Fasting Q&A episode, Megan Ramos answers some of your fasting questions: 1. On eating days I almost always feel very full. I try to make my meal portions smaller but I still feel full. I don't seem to feel hunger cues on eating days nor fasting days. Have 20 years of dieting broken my body? My usual fasting protocol is three 36s, lately, two 42s. (Ewelina) [01:34] 2. I’ve read on some of the PCOS blogs that you shouldn’t skip breakfast because it balances your blood sugar, but I find it harder to meet my fasting goals when I eat breakfast. Is this a reference to...
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Episode #203 In this week's episode, Megan and Terri are joined by a very special guest, Ben Azadi, to talk about his new book Metabolic Freedom: A 30-Day Guide to Restore Your Metabolism, Heal Hormones, and Burn Fat. They share their focus on the root causes and ways to resolve metabolic issues that underly so many health concerns and obesity. Preorder Ben’s book via this page to get his FREE Metabolic Health Course plus exclusive guest interviews (inc. Megan Ramos and Dr. Fung): Ben’s Links Website: Instagram: LinkedIn: Facebook: YouTube: TikTok: Podcast...
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In this Fasting Q&A episode, hosted by Coach Lisa Chance, Dr. Jason Fung answers questions from the TFM Community:
- I’m curious if TFM intends or would consider a ‘fasting-mimicking protocol’ to be published for its members, possibly a TFM Quick Guide? [01:22]
- When I fast I find that I have trouble falling and staying asleep. Is it the hunger increasing my cortisol or the effect of ketones? What are your thoughts on valerian or kava tea to help with fasting insomnia? [02:54]
- What’s the latest research on autophagy? [05:12]
- What does research say about the relationship between the HDL/Triglycerides ratio and high coronary calcium scores? And, in general, what does the scientific literature say about potential interactions between statins and fasting regimens? [07:00]
- There is a hormonal cascade where our sex hormones are made from cholesterol. We know from member stories that female hormones become balanced on alternate day fasting regimen. In those success cases, how does alternate-day fasting affect the hormonal cascade so that it starts working properly again? [12:59]
- I was recently reading research that suggests that moderate weight gain during menopause, particularly in lean women, may offer a degree of protection against cardiovascular disease, due to the increased production of adipose-tissue-derived estrogen, which can partially compensate for the decline in ovarian estrogen levels following menopause. What are your thoughts on this? [15:27]
- Why might weight loss stall during a multi-day fast, even when following an extended-fasting protocol with proper hydration, electrolytes, and exercise? What factors could influence the rate of weight loss, and how can one determine if adjustments are needed? [19:02]
- Is there a problem with lowering metabolic rate during fasting? Do I need to worry about this? [21:13]
- The RR interval typically refers to the time between consecutive R waves in an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) and is a fundamental measurement in heart rate variability (HRV). Has the RR interval been studied in diagnosing gastroparesis, specifically for diabetes? [24:51]
LINKS
Cholesterol Ratio Calculator
https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/cholesterol-ratio
Longevity Summit video with Cynthia Thurlow on Dr. Fung’s YouTube channel.
A Conversation with Cynthia Thurlow | Jason Fung
https://youtu.be/YeELPeaQEFg?si=88JJWDzyzjDPGK76
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
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00:00 Intro
01:22 Fasting-Mimicking Diet Quick Guide?
02:54 Fasting and Insomnia
05:12 Latest Research on Autophagy
07:00 HDL/Trigs Ratio and high CAC Score
11:40 ADF and Balancing Female Sex Hormones
14:09 Weight Gain Protective in Perimenopause?
17:44 Weight-Loss Stalls During Multi-Day Fasts
19:55 Low/High Metabolic Rate
23:33 Heart rate Variability
Disclaimer
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.