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.

Hyperbilirubinemia of fasting

Barrett, P. V.
JAMA 1971

The physiology of starvation

Young, V. R., Scrimshaw, N. S.
Sci Am 1971

Starvation therapy in obesity

Cavagnini, F., Peracchi, M., Porro, G. B.
Br Med J 1971

Blood acid-base studies and urinary acid excretion in obese fasting patients

Ross, S. K., Thomson, W. S., Dale, R. E., Ireland, J. T.
Postgrad Med J 1971

Human forearm metabolism during progressive starvation

Owen, O. E., Reichard, G. A., Jr.
J Clin Invest 1971
Abstract

Forearm muscle metabolism was studied in eight obese subjects after an overnight, 3 and 24 day fast. Arterio-deep-venous differences of oxygen, carbon dioxide, glucose, lactate, pyruvate, free fatty acids, acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate with simultaneous forearm blood flow were measured. Rates of metabolite utilization and production were thus estimated. Oxygen consumption and lactate… Read More

Metabolic response to human growth hormone during prolonged starvation

Felig, P., Marliss, E. B., Cahill, G. F., Jr.
J Clin Invest 1971
Abstract

The metabolic response to human growth hormone (HGH) was studied in five obese subjects in the fed state and during prolonged (5-6 wk) starvation. In the fed state (three subjects), HGH induced an elevation in basal serum insulin concentration, a minimal increase in blood and urine ketone levels, and a marked reduction in urinary nitrogen and potassium excretion resulting in positive nitrogen… Read More

Muscle and splanchnic glutmine and glutamate metabolism in postabsorptive andstarved man

Marliss, E. B., Aoki, T. T., Pozefsky, T., Most, A. S., Cahill, G. F., Jr.
J Clin Invest 1971
Abstract

Arterio-venous differences across forearm muscle in man in both prolonged starvation and in the postabsorptive state, show an uptake of glutamate and a relatively greater production of glutamine. Splanchnic arteriovenous differences in the postabsorptive state show a net uptake of glutamine and lesser rate of glutamate production. These data suggest that muscle is a major site of glutamine… Read More

Differences between metabolic responses to fasting in obese diabetic and obese nondiabetic subjects

Jackson, R. A., Moloney, M., Lowy, C., Wright, A. D., Hartog, M., Pilkington, T. R., Fraser, T. R.
Diabetes 1971

Urinary sodium and potassium excretion in fasting obese subjects

Runcie, J.
Br Med J 1971
Abstract

Data are presented on the urinary excretion of sodium and potassium in 40 obese patients subjected to therapeutic starvation. Two patterns of sodium loss were observed: either a uniform low-level loss or a fluctuating loss leading in some cases to marked sodium depletion. In three patients the response was a combination of these two patterns.