Dr. Jason Fung, MD, is a nephrologist and expert in the use of intermittent fasting and low-carbohydrate diets for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. In this presentation, delivered on Aug. 2, 2018, at the 2018 CrossFit Health Conference in Madison, Wisconsin, Fung shares his first-hand experiences with “The Mess” and discusses how he shifted his research and medical practices as a result of those experiences.
Fung’s objectives for his presentation include:
1. Understanding why long-term weight loss is so difficult.
2. Introducing the concept of therapeutic fasting.
3. Understanding some myths and misunderstandings associated with the fasting process.
He recalls treating obese and diabetic patients with traditional methods, which included what he characterizes as poor dietary recommendations and a slurry of drugs. He explains, “It became obvious that I’m just sort of holding their hand until they get their heart attack, until they get dialysis, until they go blind, until we chop their feet off.”
“It’s really sad to realize that the profession that you’ve chosen is not really helping people,” he says. This realization compelled him to diagnose the problems associated with traditional care and seek alternative treatment methods for his patients.
Fung historicizes what he calls “the modern eating pattern,” which emerged in 1977 in the U.S. with the development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. He notes the 1977 guidelines led to the consumption of more grains and sugars, which in turn led to people “eating often, eating late, and eating all the time.”
Incidences of obesity and Type 2 diabetes reached epidemic levels, and the most common treatments long have been drug interventions. Unfortunately, the prevailing non-pharmaceutical prescription — to eat less and move more — has a 99.9% failure rate. Fung observes that popular wisdom tells us to blame the patient and assume he or she did not adhere to the prescription. He claims a basic understanding of metabolism suggests otherwise, however.
Fung explains why a significant reduction in caloric intake leads to a decrease in basal metabolism. This biological inevitability is ignored by the proponents of the “calories in, calories out” fallacy, he observes.
He also explains why intermittent fasting is an effective alternative to traditional treatments for obesity and diabetes. The modern eating pattern keeps our insulin levels high all the time as we eat over long durations, and when insulin remains high all the time, Fung explains, our bodies store food energy as fat, and we remain hungry.
Intermittent fasting, on the other hand, allows insulin levels to drop, which puts us in burning mode rather than storing mode.
Fung claims his recommendations are so effective that patients no longer need to say, “Oh wow, I have to go see my doctor to see what pill I need,” or, “I need to go see my doctor to see if he needs to stick a stent in me.” Instead, Fung explains, “We’re giving you the power to take back your own health, because you’re not gonna get it from anywhere else.”
CrossFit® – Forging Elite Fitness® ()
This man honestly saved my life. I’m down 137 pounds so far.
Have you ever noticed when you go to bed hungry you wake up feeling fine, but go to bed after eating a giant meal and you wake up starving ?
I fast (one main meal a day) for 4 days per week. After 20 weeks – I have the body that I had at 19 at 50 years of age. People like Dr Fung are a godsend.
This man is an absolute genius
There was no obesity back in the 60’s and 70’s. People ate real food. My grandma lived to 98 years old, never ate processed foods ever. She was healthy as a horse.
On a 96 hour fast now. On hour 71, just 25 hours to go. One way I find you get me thru long fast is to watch videos about how fasting is good for me. Thanks for the video.
Love his ability to speak and make things simple.
Love his modesty.
Love his knowledge.
Love his humor and metaphors.
He rocks!
My doctor told me to stop fasting. Even though it helped with my bowel issues, made me feel healthier, and look healthier. I have had acne since age 9. I’ve seen skin specialists, been on dozens of medications, treatments, elimination diets, natural skincare, korean skincare, etc. After fasting for 3 days my skin was completely clear and I didn’t even touch it, and the sickness I was constantly feeling for years was gone as well.
Notes:
Realization that the person has to change and medication is a bandaid 0:36
No money in real health 1:28
Droctors don’t there shit together 2:31
You have to put muffins in your mouth every 3 hrs to survive 4:49
Food guidelines on the SAD will kill you 5:38
Frequency of eating 8:20, 10:30, 13:58
Truth about diets 15:20
Cutting calories doesn’t work 17:03
Slowing metabolism 20:30
Hunger increase after weight loss 27:17
Metoblics of fasting 29:29
Fasting hunger 31:49
Cravings 34:43
Not burning muscles 37:40
Just fast more 44:17
Satiety mechanisms 49:24
Eating disorders 52:48
Intermittent fasting and the brain 54:27
I’m binge watching Fung videos while fasting.
I like the way he says “we” whenever he refers to something that is recommended by doctors. In other words, he may not agree with it, but he does not exclude himself. We as a group of professional doctors must take responsibility for what we, as a group of professionals, have been incorrectly recommending people to do.
after 15 years of infertility, I conceived and have 2 beautiful children.. because of watching this man… fasting corrected my pcos and at 39 got me pregnant naturally..this man is a blessing
I think it’s really cool that he just puts it all out there, he doesn’t play that game where he keeps describing the problem for like an hour and then at the end try to sell you his book or seminars with the answer
He’s not a huckster he’s a teacher
I’ve been intermittent fasting for over 25 years and my health is outstanding. No medications and no health issues. I’m 54!