The lost, but now translated Russians science on fasting is documented on this youtube video:
https://youtu.be/t1b08X-GvRs
Today is Day 7 of my fast. I saw my endocrinologist yesterday. It was interesting to have a doctor examine me after 6 days on the fast. (I couldn't hide it because of the Libre glucose record.) She says not going to the ER, and my c-peptide lab, prove I am not a Type I diabetic - otherwise she felt I would have been in the ER for not taking any insulin during this period.
I think her concern is a warning for real Type I diabetics. If you follow in these foot steps, you will have to closely monitor glucose and while reducing your insulin, probably not eliminate it completely.
The fact that I am doing so well without insulin induced her to prescribe her "favorite" medication - metformin (Glucophage)... With reduced lantus... All will be monitored on the Libre.
The Science of Fasting documentary claims that glucose levels go to zero, as early as day 3. Either they didn't have glucose meters when the research was conducted, or I am an anomaly. The libre reports that my glucose levels had been a straight line around 130-150 mg/dl over the entire 7 days. (The lab report was 119 mg/dl - makes me wonder which measurement is more correct)? Lab blood, Libre interstitial fluid.
Actually, I feel very good. I have "cheated" a little lately, but absolutely no carbs yet. The supplements I take, which now include 10 g of B5, are apparently enough to trigger a stomach acid response. I took the supplements in the evening, and woke up with an acid reflux - stomach acid reaching my mouth! I ate a slice of American cheese, and have been taking a slice of cheese with my evening supplements since.
By accident I reduced my hydrocortisone to 20 mg yesterday (prescription is 30 mg, and at 35 mg I am a completely normal human. No pains or inflammations.) -- and didn't notice any thing, as if the cortisol requirement is down on the fast. It would be nice if this lowered requirement lasts after the fast.
I will be able to adopt a strict, almost no carb, Atkins diet after this, and be happy (to eat!) People who haven't seen me in awhile (e.g. before the mesh surgery) keep asking my how much weight I've lost
Still no hunger, but I was light-headed yesterday.
The fast will be shortened to 10 days this time, because of a dinner engagement this Friday.
I cannot get over how easy it is - with the crutch of 10 grams of panothenic acid (vitamin B5)
From other posts:
My Day 1 report
I wasn't going to mention this until after I did a two-week fast, but I have started a fast. I have watched, and rewatched the documentary THE SCIENCE OF FASTING... https://youtu.be/t1b08X-GvRs (Which is enlightening, and ends with a bombshell - the discovery that fasting not only compliments chemotherapy, but can be a strong anti=-cancer therapy without chemo.)
My strategy is to start with a 12 day fast. According to the documentary, glucose levels go to zero in 2 days. I will be monitoring mu sugar levels, but if all goes as expected, I plan to eliminate all (or most) of my own insulin (40-50 units of long term, and 15-20 units of short term). The research reports that there is a regular "acidosis crisis" around days 2 and 3. I may add some extra sodium ascorbate to counter this phase. Which brings up the point that while I will only be drinking, mostly water, I will take most of my regular supplements, especially vitamin C.
According to the documentary, the body only cannibalizes 4% of our protein during a fast (while using 96% of stored fats). It also claims that the brain "must have glucose" but that ketone bodies are an alternate fuel?? With the new found knowledge that vitamin B5 promotes efficient lipid burning (and avoids ketosis) it will be interesting to see what happens, as I plan to try and take the 10 grams of vitamin B5 during the fast.
I can always start eating if there is a problem. (The B5 experiments showed no weakness, hunger or ketosis during a 1000 calorie per day diet.)
The Russian and German research and clinical/empirical experience shows that most people who fast "reset" their numbers to what is generally considered healthy (especially cholesterol, etc.)
My primary motivation is to see how much I can reduce my own hydrocortisone requirement during the fast.
I am not recommending that you try the fast at this time, but that documentary with previously unknown knowledge about Russian research is worth watching.
Day 3 report
https://vitamincfoundation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&p=53501&sid=cb7c86b6ce8642b03dc1a1e1d0f23b55#p53487
Day 5 report
Coincidentally, my (new) endrocrin ordered blood tests ... johnwen.. All numbers in the dead center except for these. And this was after fasting for about 24 hours - (I am now in Day 5, no hunger or weakness).
The anomalies: (Last Wednesday, Dec 5th, 2018)Total Bilirubin 1.4 mg/dL 0.0 - 0.9 mg/dL H (**I had been diagnosed with Gilbert's syndrome in college)
Alkaline Phosphatase 124 U/L 43 - 117 U/L H
BUN/Creatinine Ratio 20.2 10.0 - 20.0 H
lucose 119 mg/dL 70 - 99 mg/dL H
johnwen, I haven't researched this, but verbally I was told that the c-peptide shows that I am still making some of my own insulin. True?C-Peptide, S 2.5 ng/mL 1.1 - 4.4 ng/mL