Fasting Literature Database

Biomedical publications about prolonged water-only fasting from 1881-1999

TrueNorth Health Foundation has meticulously curated an extensive database of historical literature on prolonged water-only fasting dating back to the late 19th century.

This collection serves as a valuable resource for researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals interested in exploring early perspectives and research on the effects of water-only fasting in humans.

These publications span a range of topics, including physiological effects, clinical applications, and historical reviews, that offer insights into the rich history and evolving understanding of fasting as a therapeutic intervention.

Thyroid hormone changes in obese subjects during fasting and a very-low-calorie diet

Rabast, U., Hahn, A., Reiners, C., Ehl, M.
Int J Obes 1981
Abstract

Total fasting was compared with VLCD (1.28 MJ, 300 kcal/day; 56 g protein, 12 g CHO) in 14 euthyroid obese patients, selected as matched pairs, over a period of 28 days. The weight loss was significantly greater during fasting than during the VLCD (16.5 kg vs. 12.7 kg). The basal metabolic rate of (BMR) showed a significant decrease (25 per cent) during total fasting, but was unchanged with… Read More

Influence of insulin and glucagon on sodium balance in obese subjects during fasting and refeeding

Kolanowski, J.
Int J Obes 1981
Abstract

To delineate the hormonal mechanism of dietary-induced changes in sodium balance, the role of insulin and glucagon in natriuresis of fast was evaluated in obese subjects submitted to a total starvation and given either glucagon or somatostatin infusion on day 4 of fast. While large amounts of glucagon (1 mg over 6 h) stimulated concomitantly ketonaemia, ketonuria and renal sodium losses, the… Read More

The effect of a 34-h fast on the meal-induced rises in plasma GIP, serum insulin, and blood glucose in man

Jorde, R., Burhol, P. G., Schulz, T. B., Waldum, H. L., Lygren, I., Jenssen, T., Myhre, E. S.
Scand J Gastroenterol 1981
Abstract

The meal-induced rises in plasma GIP, serum insulin, and blood glucose were studied after an overnight fast and after a 34-h fast in six healthy men. After the 34-h fast, the postprandial mean plasma GIP level at 120 min and the mean serum insulin and blood glucose levels at 60 and 90 min were significantly higher than those seen after the overnight fast.

The removal of infused leucine after injury, starvation and other conditions in man

Elia, M., Farrell, R., Ilic, V., Smith, R., Williamson, D. H.
Clin Sci (Lond) 1980
Abstract

1. To investigate the effects of starvation, elective surgery, accidental injury and other clinical conditions on the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids in man, we have measured the basal concentration of leucine and the removal of metabolic effects of infused L-leucine. 2. The blood concentration of leucine as significantly increased by surgery, starvation and accidental injury, and… Read More

Protective effect of small amounts of glucose on abnormal liver function tests during starvation

Abraira, C., Virupannavar, C., Nemchausky, B.
Metabolism 1980
Abstract

The effect of small amounts of oral glucose on hepatic function during starvation was studied. A group of 20, nondiabetic, obese, male patients were entered into the protocol. Ten were placed on absolute caloric starvation and the other ten were placed on a starvation diet modified by the daily addition of 8 or 16 g of oral glucose. Five patients in the starved group crossed over to the… Read More

Glucagon kinetics in fasting: physiological elevations in serum 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine increase the metabolic clearance rate of glucagon

Burman, K. D., Smallridge, R. C., Jones, L., Ramos, E. A., O'Brien, J. T., Wright, F. D., Wartofsky, L.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1980
Abstract

We have attempted to determine if the elevated plasma glucagon concentration and delayed MCR of glucagon (MCRg) observed during caloric restriction are related to the decreased serum T3 that also occurs during fasting. Twelve obese subjects received a 3-h iv glucagon infusion during a 4-day fed period (1000 kCal/day) and again on approximately the third fasting day. Five patients fasted… Read More

Starvation induces a partial failure of triiodothyronie to inhibit the thyrotropin response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Burger, A. G., Weissel, M., Berger, M.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1980
Abstract

During starvation the response of TSH to TRH decreases in many subjects. This could be due to an increased sensitivity to TSH secretion to circulating thyroid hormones. To study this hypothesis, 13 subjects were starved twice for 2-day periods. After both starvation periods, a standard TRH test (200 micrograms TRH, iv) was performed; during 1 starvation period 15 micrograms T3 were injected iv… Read More

Effects of starvation on body composition

Fidanza, F.
Am J Clin Nutr 1980

Effect of food intake and fasting on gastrointestinal lead absorption in humans

Rabinowitz, M. B., Kopple, J. D., Wetherill, G. W.
Am J Clin Nutr 1980
Abstract

The effect of food intake versus brief fasting on gastrointestinal absorption of lead was measured in five healthy men who were living in a metabolic unit and eating constant lead diets. Lead absorpiton was assessed by the difference between dietary intake and output of 1) lead tracers composed of nonradioactive isotopes which were ingested as a single dose either with food or during a 16-hr… Read More