Original Research Publications
Below you’ll find original research publications by TrueNorth Health Foundation.
Prolonged Water-only Fasting is a Safe and Feasible Treatment Option for Managing Stage 1 and 2 Hypertension
Prolonged water-only fasting appears to reduce high blood pressure but randomized controlled trials are needed. This single arm pre-post interventional trial investigates the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of prolonged water-only fasting in the treatment of stage 1 and 2 hypertension. Twenty-nine participants with stage 1 and 2 hypertension, who were pre-approved to water-only fast for ≥7 days, were enrolled from a residential fasting center. Participants received 24-hour medical… Read More
A Preliminary Observational Study on Potential Effects of Prolonged Water-Only Fasting Followed by Whole-Plant-Food Refeeding in Normal-Weight Females
Evidence suggests that prolonged water-only fasting is safe and may improve cardiometabolic biomarkers in normal-weight males, but data in normal-weight females are lacking. Given the physiological differences between males and females, research is neededin normal-weight females to assess safety and effectiveness. This article presents preliminary, observational data on adverse events as well as the immediate and sustained effects of water-only fasting followed by whole-plant-food refeeding… Read More
A Six-Week Follow-Up Study on the Sustained Effects of Prolonged Water-Only Fasting and Refeeding on Markers of Cardiometabolic Risk
(1) Background: Chronic inflammation and insulin resistance are associated with cardiometabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Therapeutic water-only fasting and whole-plant-food refeeding was previously shown to improve markers of cardiometabolic risk and may be an effective preventative treatment but sustained outcomes are unknown. We conducted a single-arm, open-label, observational study with a six-week post-… Read More
Potential Effects of Prolonged Water-Only Fasting Followed by a Whole-Plant-Food Diet on Salty and Sweet Taste Sensitivity and Perceived Intensity, Food Liking, and Dietary Intake
The overconsumption of calorie-dense foods high in added salt, sugar, and fat is a major contributor to current rates of obesity, and methods to reduce consumption are needed. Prolonged water-only fasting followed by an exclusively whole-plant-food diet free of added salt, oil, and sugar may reduce the consumption of these hyper-palatable foods, but such effects have not been quantified. Therefore, we conducted a preliminary study to estimate the effects of this intervention on salty and… Read More
The Effects of Prolonged Water-Only Fasting and Refeeding on Markers of Cardiometabolic Risk
(1) Background: Cardiometabolic disease, including insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, are major contributors to adverse health outcomes. Fasting has gained interest as a nonpharmacological therapeutic adjunct for these disorders.
(2) Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-center study on the effects of prolonged water-only fasting followed by an exclusively whole-plant-food refeeding diet on accepted measures of cardiovascular risk and metabolic health.… Read More
Is fasting safe? A chart review of adverse events during medically supervised, water-only fasting
BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that fasting, during which only water is consumed, results in potentially health promoting physiological effects. However, peer-reviewed research assessing the safety of water-only fasting is lacking. To address this, we conducted a chart review to describe adverse events (AEs) that occurred during medically supervised, water-only fasting.
METHODS: Electronic charts from patient visits to a residential medical facility from 2006 to 2011 were reviewed.… Read More
Medically supervised water-only fasting in the treatment of borderline hypertension
BACKGROUND: Hypertension-related diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in industrially developed societies. Surprisingly, 68% of all mortality attributed to high blood pressure (BP) occurs with systolic BP between 120 and 140 mm Hg and diastolic BP below 90 mm Hg. Dietary and lifestyle modifications are effective in the treatment of borderline hypertension. One such lifestyle intervention is the use of medically supervised water-only fasting as a safe and effective means… Read More
Medically supervised water-only fasting in the treatment of hypertension
BACKGROUND: Hypertension-related diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in industrially developed societies. Although antihypertensive drugs are extensively used, dietary and lifestyle modifications also are effective in the treatment of patients with hypertension. One such lifestyle intervention is the use of medically supervised, water-only fasting as a safe and effective means of normalizing blood pressure and initiating health-promoting behavioral changes.