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.

Therapeutic fasting in morbid obesity

Johnson, D., Drenick, E. J.
Arch Intern Med 1977
Abstract

The weights of 207 morbidly obese patients were reduced via prolonged fasting. Half the patients fasted for close to two months, losing a mean of 28.2 kg; one fourth fasted for less than one month; and the other fourth fasted for more than two months, with a mean 41.4-kg loss. This latter group was heavier initially, and more than 50% attained near-normal weight. Patients with onset of… Read More

Steroid changes during starvation in Cushing's syndrome, Cushingoid obesity and simple obesity

Vingerhoeds, A. C., Kinderen, P. J. der, Thijssen, J. H., Schwarz, F.
J Endocrinol 1970

Prolonged Starvation as Treatment for Severe Obesity

Drenick, E. J., Swendseid, M. E., Blahd, W. H., Tuttle, S. G.
JAMA 1964

Serum lipids during starvation in obesity

Balazsi, I., Karadi, I., Somogyi, A., Jona, G., Romics, L.
Acta Med Hung 1983
Abstract

The HDL-cholesterol level was found to decrease during the first week of therapeutic starvation in hyperlipoproteinaemic (hypertriglyceridaemic), diabetic (non-insulin dependent) patients. The possible causes of the finding are discussed, and the view is expressed that the fall in HDL given no cause for discontinuing the caloric restriction or starvation as the therapeutic measures in … Read More

Effects of obesity, total fasting and re-alimentation on L-thyroxine (T4), 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine (T3), 3,3',5'-L-triiodothyronine (rT3), thyroxine binding globulin (TBG), cortisol, thyrotrophin, cortisol binding globulin (CBG), transferrin, alpha 2…

Scriba, P. C., Bauer, M., Emmert, D., Fateh-Moghadam, A., Hofmann, G. G., Horn, K., Pickardt, C. R.
Acta Endocrinol (Copenh) 1979
Abstract

UNLABELLED: The effects of total fasting for 31 +/- 10 days followed by re-alimentation with an 800 calorie diet on thyroid function, i.e. T4,T3,rT3,RT3U (resin T3 uptake), and TSH, and on TBG levels in serum were studied sequentially in obese hospitalized patients (N=18). Additionally, cortisol, growth hormone, prolactin, parathyrin and free fatty acids were followed as hormonal and metabolic… Read More

Effect of fasting on posthyperglycemic glucose homeostasis in obesity--experimental model for reactive hypoglycemia

Solter, M., Sekso, M.
Exp Clin Endocrinol 1983
Abstract

The relationship between altered glucose-insulin interaction in the hyperglycemic period of oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) and impaired posthyperglycemic glucose homeostasis was studied in 9 obese females. They underwent 6-hour oGTT following 72-96 hour total fast, and the results of blood glucose, insulin, growth hormone, cortisol, glucagon and free fatty acids were compared to those of… Read More

Insulin receptor binding and insulin action in human fat cells: effects of obesity and fasting

Pedersen, O., Hjollund, E., Sorensen, N. S.
Metabolism 1982
Abstract

We have studied (125I)-insulin binding and insulin dose response relationships of (14C)-methylglucose transport conversion of (14C)-glucose to CO2 and total lipids, and lipolysis at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4 in adipocytes from obese patients before (n = 15) and after fasting for 10 days (n = 6). Studies of adipocytes from obese before fasting showed a significant reduction of insulin binding… Read More

Fasting in obesity: another cause of liver injury with alcoholic hyaline?

Capron, J. P., Delamarre, J., Dupas, J. L., Braillon, A., Degott, C., Quenum, C.
Dig Dis Sci 1982

The gastro-entero-pancreatic hormone response to fasting in obesity

Andrews, W. J., Henry, R. W., Alberti, K. G., Buchanan, K. D.
Diabetologia 1981
Abstract

A comparison of the metabolic and gastroentero-pancreatic hormonal responses of ten obese and eight lean subjects to 12 h and 36 h fasts has been made. Each subject was given a 50 g oral glucose tolerance test at the end of both 12 h and 36 h starvation. After the 12 h fast blood glucose and 3-hydroxybuty-rate were similar in each group but blood glycerol was 30% higher in the obese subjects.… Read More

A multiple approach to the treatment of obesity using total fasting or a very-low-calorie diet

Cormillot, A., Zukerfeld, R., Olkies, A., Ravenna, M., Luxardo, J., Tessi, C.
Int J Obes 1981
Abstract

A multiple approach programme used in 20 000 patients (3300 have been hospitalized at some time or other) for 19 years is described. It is based on operative definitions handled by an interdisciplinary team working within a therapeutic community. A diagnostic-prognostic profile is used, and so is the ambulatory treatment including an individual/group approach, and/or hospitalization with total… Read More