https://blog.tmk.name/2026-09-29T00:00:00-04:00 “That some of us should venture to embark on a synthesis of facts and theories, albeit with second-hand and incomplete knowledge of some of them – and at the risk of making fools of ourselves” (Erwin Schrödinger) 2026-09-29T00:00:00-04:002026-09-29T00:00:00-04:00Tristan Kernantag:blog.tmk.name,2026-09-29:/2026/09/29/introduction-to-fasting/

<p>I have been delving into the strange world of fasting for the past couple months since reading <em>The Oldest Cure in the World</em> by Steve Hendricks. The book does a fair job at avoiding extraordinary claims, but begs the reader to try it themself.</p> <h2>Why fast?</h2> <p>Possibly the most obvious …</p>

<p>I have been delving into the strange world of fasting for the past couple months since reading <em>The Oldest Cure in the World</em> by Steve Hendricks. The book does a fair job at avoiding extraordinary claims, but begs the reader to try it themself.</p> <h2>Why fast?</h2> <p>Possibly the most obvious question - why bother? Why skip one or several meals? There are plenty of anecdotes that fasting can improve or even cure the symptoms of various conditions; as I don't suffer from them, I won't dive into a list of conditions here. My personal interest is in mental health specifically and overall health generally.</p> <p>I understand that fasting helps the body to heal itself. There is some evidence for this, but we are far from understanding how it really works. I therefore don't attach to any particular mode of healing (e.g. autophagy, or cellular repair) but generally accept that refraining from food combined with a positive mindset has healing potential in the body and mind.</p> <h2>What is fasting?</h2> <p>Fasting is a continuum of practices under one label. At its most basic, it's refraining from consuming any significant calories for the given period. Significant calories, as I understand, means more than about a dozen calories: that means e.g. a spoonful of lime juice is acceptable, but a spoonful of honey is not.</p> <p>Some schools of practice consume daily fractional meals of vegetable or bone broth, in the realm of 250 calories. The supposed effect is improved energy for daily activities for the duration of the fast. Other schools restrict intake to minimal or no calories, taking only water and possibly electrolytes.</p> <p>Fasting is not malnutrition. Regularly not eating enough, not getting enough nutrients, is a major health condition and has nothing to do with fasting. Fasting is targeted periods of abstaining from food; with proper diet and nutrition, weight-loss need not even be a factor.</p> <p>I'll note that no-calorie drinks like tea and coffee (without milk and sugar, of course) are allowed - though personally I avoid coffee during a fast as it wrecks havoc on my blood sugar.</p> <h2>How long to fast?</h2> <p>Starting out, I'd suggest skipping dinner. If lunch is in the early afternoon, say 1pm, and breakfast at 7am, this is an 18 hour fast, a small feat of endurance. Next, skip lunch as well, in effect achieving a ~24 hour fast from breakfast to breakfast. I believe it's at the 24 hour length that results start to manifest.</p> <p>For fasts of these short durations, not much special care needs to be taken. Generally, drinking plenty of water helps with hunger pangs, and electrolytes further keep one's spirits up (but beware calorie laden mixes!). Breaking a short fast doesn't require special care as far as I know, but I generally eat a healthy vegan breakfast of oats, fruit and coffee.</p> <p>For longer fasts of multiple days, please do educate yourself thoroughly on best practices and risk factors. It's recommended to never fast alone, at the least checking in regularly with a trusted friend. Fasts of more than a few days should be done in the care of a physician or health clinic.</p> <h2>What can I expect?</h2> <p>The experience seems to be different for everyone. My own experience is one of profound calm and inner peace, starting after the first skipped meal and continuing through the day. My pet theory is that fasting helps my body to de-stress, which explains the calm and changed thinking patterns.</p> <p>Many experience improved health outcomes for their particular conditions, though studies are rare and most stories are personal anecdotes of recovery through fasting - as always, take it with a grain of salt.</p> <p>I will note that the experience does seem to depend on one's mindset. When I had first heard of intermittent fasting some years ago, I tried skipping a meal, only to feel that I was on the verge of fainting. I wouldn't leave the house without a granola bar in my pocket; the hint of a late meal would make me feel weak.</p> <p>To my amazement, it seems that rather than anything to do with nutrition, it was panic that was sending me into shock. The human body can survive for days and weeks without food, generally without ill effect. Once I understood that, I went into my recent fasting attempts with courage and haven't experienced any weakness or fainting.</p> <h2>Further reading</h2> <p>Discovering fasting feels like uncovering a long lost tradition. Many notable people have written of their experiences over the years. I list below a few prominent writings:</p> <ul> <li>Upton Sinclair: <em>The Fasting Cure</em> - <a href="https://archive.org/details/fastingcure00sincuoft/page/n3/mode/2up">available here</a></li> <li>Mahatma Gandhi: <em>Key to Health</em> - <a href="https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/key_to_health.pdf">available here</a></li> <li>Steve Hendricks: <em>The Oldest Cure in the World</em> - <a href="https://www.stevehendricks.org/books">author's site here</a></li> </ul>