Fasting for health benefits (not weight loss)

[New22iht]

I’m exploring the idea of fasting but not for weight loss. I’m really struggling with fatigue, bowel issues and some joint pain (so I appreciate there could be some underlying cause that I am currently investigating but think it could be ages, if ever, that I get answers).
in the meantime I want to do what I can myself to try and feel better. I’ve read that fasting can help heal your cells and reduce inflammation as well as lots of other benefits??
for those who have fasted, did you notice your energy/mood/overall health improved when fasting? And if so, what method of fasting worked best for this?
thanks so much!

Sorry to hear your not feeling welI. I have chronic fatigue syndrome, bowel issues and gastric issues along with other issues which meant i was retired earlyin my 30s. The bowel and gastric issues have been medicated for years. I was advised against fasting because there wasn't enough evidence and instead should eat 5 small meals a day (I did this I felt worse).
So having nothing to loose and feeling ill I started fasting (started at 14 hours and slowly longer fasts so now do 16-19 hours depending on how I feel). I feel much better (not cured) but have stopped one medication, reduced another and my bowels are better. I think I have slightly less fatigue but also less bloating and sluggishness. I've been doing it since May and have also lost weight as a bonus but the main reason was for health reasons. I will definitely continue as a way of life.

Hello @New22iht I’m also sorry to hear about what’s going on for you. I was diagnosed with a 2nd auto immune condition this time last year (Enteropathic arthritis on tile of Ulcerative colitis) and thankfully I’m so much better, thanks to biologic medication now but I understand how scary it is.

After extensive reading, and as much research as was possible for me, I have tried intermittent fasting and more recently alternative day fasting.

My aim is to reduce the amount of medication I’m on (Rinvoq) or ideally come off completely.

I found the intermittent was better for me but what with holidays and travel for work I haven’t been able to do it consistently, long enough to make a difference. This looked like 16:8 or 18:6 for me.

imo the alternative day fasting made me worse. I had be so hungry and tired by the end of each fasting day, all of my joints were flaring. As with anything, I know I need to give it time but I think I’m going to stop this type of fasting. (One “feast day” to one day were I eat 500 cals only) I didn’t think it would be so hard.

I’m sure you have, but have you seen Michael Molesley’s (RIP) doc: “Eat, Fast, Live Longer?”

Sorry for such a long post! I did also make significant changes to diet purely to reduce inflammation & would be happy to discuss if that’s helpful. *I’m not a medical professional

I'm interested that you want to do this for joint pain (among other things). I'm considering trying a version of fasting, mainly to see if I lose weight, but the person who recommended it reports feeling generally healthier too. I do have a niggling knee injury at the moment that is not serious but annoying and has dragged on longer than expected. Have you read any specific books or articles that suggested fasting might be good for joint pain? I'd be very interested to have a look at them if so. If you do try this, I'd like to read along and see how it's going for you and maybe we could compare notes.

@moonshinepoursthroughmywindow Hello, from my research - it depends on what’s causing your knee pain. If it’s because of inflammation/auto immune condition, like arthritis then a version of fasting could help. That’s my main reason for learning about the practice. If the pain is from an injury, I don’t know if it would do anything.