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.

Effects of brief starvation on muscle amino acid metabolism in nonobese man

Pozefsky, T., Tancredi, R. G., Moxley, R. T., Dupre, J., Tobin, J. D.
J Clin Invest 1976
Abstract

A reduction in the release of substrate amino acids from skeletal muscle largely explains the decrease in gluconeogenesis characterizing prolonged starvation. Brief starvation is associated with an increase in gluconeogenesis, suggesting increased release of amino acids from muscle. In the present studies, accelerated amino acid release from skeletal muscle induced by brief starvation was… Read More

Triglyceride metabolism in acute starvation: the role of secretin and glucagon

Stout, R. W., Henry, R. W., Buchanan, K. D.
Eur J Clin Invest 1976
Abstract

Plasma lipid and hormone levels have been measured during 72 hours total starvation in nine healthy subjects, to assess the relative importance of hormones and substrates in human triglyceride metabolism. Plasma free fatty acid and glycerol concentrations rose steadily on each day of starvation. Plasma triglyceride concentrations rose on the second and third days, from a control level of 649… Read More

Effect of protracted intermittent fasting on the activities of enzymes involved in energy metabolism, and on the concentrations of glycogen, protein and DNA in skeletal muscle of obese women

Vondra, K., Rath, R., Bass, A., Kuzela, L., Slabochowa, Z.
Nutr Metab 1976
Abstract

In the quadriceps femoris muscle of obese women the glycogen concentration was significantly lower than in the control group, while protein and DNA values showed no significant differences. After 37 days of intermittent fasting, which consisted of repeated 5-day fasts alternating with 3-day intervals on 500 KCal/day with 60 g protein, in a group of 21 obese women a significant decline of the… Read More

Fasting therapy for psychosomatic diseases with special reference to its indication and therapeutic mechanism

Suzuki, J., Yamauchi, Y., Horikawa, M., Yamagata, S.
Tohoku J Exp Med 1976
Abstract

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

Effect of carbohydrate intake on the urinary excretion of magnesium, calcium and sodium in fasting obese patients

Fleming, L. W., Stewart, W. K.
Nephron 1976
Abstract

The urinary excretion of magnesium, calcium and sodium has been measured in 19 obese patients undergoing 12 days on complete fast (days 1-12) followed by 6 days of carbohydrate supplementation (days 13-18), while receiving no mineral supplements or either calcium, magnesium or sodium supplements. Magnesium and calcium followed different excretion patterns during the 12 days fast. The oral… Read More

Effect of thyroid hormone on metabolic adaptation to fasting

Carter, W. J., Shakir, K. M., Hodges, S., Faas, F. H., Wynn, J. O.
Metabolism 1975
Abstract

The acute effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on mobilization of fat and protein energy stores has been measured in five fasting, normal men. Fasting subjects were chosen for this study to amplify catabolic effects occurring during brief thyroid hormone treatment. Subjects were fasted for 72 hr on two occasions with admintration of T3, 150 mug every 12 hr, for 72 hr before and during the second… Read More

Plasma zinc in acute starvation

Henry, R. W., Elmes, M. E.
Br Med J 1975

Diversion of peripheral thyroxine metabolism from activating to inactivating pathways during complete fasting

Vagenakis, A. G., Burger, A., Portnary, G. I., Rudolph, M., O'Brian, J. R., Azizi, F., Arky, R. A., Nicod, P., Ingbar, S. H., Braverman, L. E.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1975
Abstract

In 9 euthyroid obese volunteers, as previously reported, 4 weeks of total caloric deprivation resulted in a striking decrease in serum 3,5;3'-triiodothyronine (T3) concentration. The present studies reveal that this decrease in serum T3 is accompanied by a proportionately similar increase in the serum concentration of 3,3',5' -T3 (reverse T3; rT3). In four additional obese… Read More

Fasting in Islam

Sakr, A. H.
J Am Diet Assoc 1975
Abstract

Summarized are the significance of fasting in Islam, the rules and regulations of fasting, types of fasting, nullification of fasting, and food practices and habits of Muslims during the fasting month of Ramadan. Some problems pertaining to fasting and their solutions are also considered, and applications of fasting to America have been pointed out. It is hoped that this paper may bring a new… Read More

Nitrogen loss in normal and obese subjects during total fast

Goschke, H., Stahl, M., Tholen, H.
Klin Wochenschr 1975
Abstract

Healthy volunteers of ideal weight (12 men and 12 women) were fasted for 6 days, and obese but otherwise healthy subjects (20 men, 28 women) for 6--28 days. In all groups studied a significant increase in urinary nitrogen loss from day 1 to day 3 of fasting was followed by a steady decrease. The early rise in urinary nitrogen excretion coincided with a rise in plasma glucagon levels,… Read More