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.

Differences in fat, carbohydrate, and protein metabolism between lean and obese subjects undergoing total starvation

Elia, M., Stubbs, R. J., Henry, C. J.
Obes Res 1999
Abstract

Despite extensive experimental studies on total starvation, many of the findings relating to protein, fat (plus ketone body), and carbohydrate metabolism remain confusing, although they become more consistent when considered in relation to the degree of initial obesity. During prolonged starvation, protein loss and percent energy derived from protein oxidation are 2- to 3-fold less in the… Read More

Role of glutamine in human carbohydrate metabolism in kidney and other tissues

Stumvoll, M., Perriello, G., Meyer, C., Gerich, J.
Kidney Int 1999
Abstract

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the human body and is involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid. Until recently, the understanding of many aspects of glutamine metabolism was based on animal and in vitro data. However, recent studies using isotopic and balance techniques have greatly advanced the understanding of glutamine metabolism in humans and its role in… Read More

Survival in starvation

Cahill, G. F., Jr.
Am J Clin Nutr 1998

Metabolic effects of triiodothyronine replacement during fasting in obese subjects

Byerley, L. O., Heber, D.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1996
Abstract

The adaptation to fasting reduces muscle protein breakdown by switching from a carbohydrate to fat fuel economy in normal man. With the discovery of T3 and the observation that its formation from T4 was reduced significantly during starvation, it was proposed that T3 mediated many of these changes. To examine this possibility, otherwise healthy, obese subjects were fasted for 10 days and… Read More

The cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal changes accompanying acute starvation in men and women

Webber, J., Macdonald, I. A.
Br J Nutr 1994
Abstract

The effect of fasting for 12, 36 and 72 h was studied in twenty-nine healthy subjects (seventeen women and twelve men). Measurements were made of cardiovascular variables, metabolic rate, respiratory exchange ratio, plasma metabolites, insulin, thyroid hormones and catecholamines. During starvation there were no significant changes in blood pressure, whilst heart rate (beats/min) increased at… Read More

Protein metabolic effects of a prolonged fast and hypocaloric refeeding

Hoffer, L. J., Forse, R. A.
Am J Physiol 1990
Abstract

In a study of the mechanism of adaptation to protein deficiency, 10 moderately obese women underwent a 3-wk fast followed by random allocation to a 1-wk refeeding regimen providing 80 g carbohydrate or protein. Protein metabolism was studied by means of nitrogen (N) balance, urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion, and postabsorptive plasma leucine flux using L-[1-13C]leucine infusions. After the… Read More

Ketone body metabolism in lean male adults during short-term starvation, with particular reference to forearm muscle metabolism

Elia, M., Wood, S., Khan, K., Pullicino, E.
Clin Sci (Lond) 1990
Abstract

1. Thirty-three arteriovenous forearm catheterization studies were carried out in 19 lean subjects starving for 12-14 h (n = 13), 30-36 h (n = 7) and 60-66 h (n = 13). Forearm blood flow was measured in order to calculate the flux of various substrates. At the same time, whole-body oxidation of fat, carbohydrate and protein was calculated using indirect calorimetry and urinary nitrogen… Read More

Wernicke's lethal encephalopathy in voluntary, total, prolonged fasting

Falzi, G., Ronchi, E.
Forensic Sci Int 1990
Abstract

A lethal case of Wernicke's encephalopathy caused by prolonged fasting is reported; the liability of physicians is evaluated.