Short-term fasting (48 hours) was shown to be effective in protecting normal cells and mice but not cancer cells against high dose chemotherapy, termed Differential Stress Resistance (DSR), but the feasibility and effect of fasting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is unknown. Here we describe 10 cases in which patients diagnosed with a variety of… Read More

We infused physiological doses of epinephrine (1.2 microgram/m2 X min) into six healthy obese subjects in the postabsorptive state and after 3-4 days of starvation. During starvation, a reduction in hepatic glycogen stores was demonstrated by the absence of a rise in plasma glucose and glucose production (using [3-3H]glucose) in response to glucagon infusion. The increases in plasma… Read More

We studied plasma gastrin levels in 12 healthy men before and after 4, 8 and 10 days of total food deprivation. The gastrin levels during the starvation period were significantly lower than the preexposure values. No such changes were observed in 6 other men, serving as controls, who were allowed to eat ad libitum during the experiment. Blood glucose levels and urinary output of catecholamines… Read More

The Tohoku University method of fasting therapy was performed on 380 patients. The clinical results revealed an efficacy rate of 87%. With regard to psychosomatic diseases, irritable colon syndrome, neurocirculatory asthenia, mild diabetes mellitus, obesity and borderline hypertension were good indications for this therapy. In order to clarify the therapeutic mechanism,… Read More

1. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D beta H) activity was measured in sera from ten healthy male students after 2 and 3 days fasting which is associated with increased circulating noradrenaline. 2. Circulating D beta H remained essentially unchanged throughout the fasting period, although 'stress parameters' like plasma glycerol and free fatty acid concentrations were… Read More

It has been well known that the fasting therapy which was invented in Medical School of Tohoku University reveals an excellent effect upon various kinds of psychosomatic diseases, but its therapeutic mechanism and suitable indication are not yet explained completely. In order to corroborate these problems, this study was undertaken on 262 cases of psychosomatic diseases in the field of… Read More

Experience with 18 obese patients who have undergone prolonged (60 days) therapeutic starvation shows that in general this is a safe procedure, but there are significant associated hazards, particularly a breakdown in electrolyte homoeostasis. The need for close biochemical control of such patients is stressed.