Fasting and its possible role in longevity

Scientists have been studying the effect on the body's metabolism of fasting, and how it may play into aging. In this web exclusive, "Sunday Morning" correspondent Lee Cowan talks with three researchers on aging – David Sinclair, of Harvard Medical School; Dr. Nir Barzilai, of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine; and Morgan Levine, of the Yale Center for Research on Aging – about the stresses on the body by fasting or caloric restriction, and how it may turn on the body's defenses against aging.

[Darscm]

I’ve been intermittent fasting, eating a plant based diet, walking 4-5 miles a day and taking longevity enhancing supplements for years. It works. I’m 75. I feel a good as at anytime in my life. My mind is sharp. I’m agile. I have NO aches or pains. I’m also tremendously grateful.

[OpiumBride]

Discipline and self restraint are two of the most underrated and the most important aspect of living a healthy life

[devinJA]

I’m 29 years old, I’m 5’11 at 208 lb. I fasted for 21 days (water only) and went down to 181 pounds. My diet was absolutely embarrassing. Fast food, processed foods, etc.
Following the fast, I only drink green tea in the morning, a light lunch like sardines or salmon with a salad. That’s it. I feel unstoppable.

[benjamindouglas]

I've been intermittently fasting for 15 years, when I started in high school my P.E. teacher used to lecture me about how terrible it was for my metabolism, the same for my yoga instructor in college. Glad to see the science is catching up with what my body told me years ago.

[JD]

Cutting out breakfast has been extremely effective for me. The myth that breakfast is "the most important meal of the day" is an outright lie.

[dlg]

I have been practicing IF for about 18 months and it changed my life in so many positive ways. I lost 60 pounds, I naturally have more energy, I sleep better, I think clearer, I am more regular, and on and on. At first it seems counterintuitive, but the more I did it and the more I thought about it, I think it makes perfect sense. Think of it in terms of our ancient hunter gatherer days. Humans only ate a couple times a week back then, but they were still sharp enough to hunt for that next meal. The reason is that their bodies were conditioned to focus on repair during those periods between means to ensure that they would survive. Our bodies still have those same mechanisms and all you have to do to activate it is to fast routinely, eat a healthy low sugar/low carb diet and to both strength and aerobic exercise. I started doing all of this at age 50 and I am in better health with more vitality than when I was 25. I have a 6-pack...at age 52 lol

[moplum]

I agree 100%. I lived this way my entire life until I retired. I relaxed, and gave in to eating three meals a day. I thought I would see what I have been missing. I felt sickly bloated, tired, fat. I went back to my old fasting life, and never looked back. I feel great. Only one meal a day. Absolutly no milk. Yes to whole grain bread. Yes to meat and eggs. Yes to veggies. A balanced diet, but only once a day.

[robm]

At age 48 (3 years ago) I started to do 16-18 hour fasts per day. Lost 16 pounds (10% of my weight) within 6 months and have never looked back. Gets easier with time. Exercising and good dietary choices also help.

[BonnChnd]

I’m 61 years old and I’m just not that hungry anymore. I’m retired and I thought I would be bored and just eat all the time but nope…One meal a day has been good for me. I know it’s crazy! Haven’t been sick a day for many years.

[thyslop]

Seems counterintuitive, but I did the OMD for a year(one meal a day) for an entire year and could not believe the amount of energy I had. It was the energy and the idea of losing it kept me in the program. Sometimes I slipped out of my lane and noticed how I reacted. I was much more in tune with my body, which means you get to be your own guinea pig. We as a people eat WAY to much food.

[jlvandat]

Finally, Intermittent Fasting is creeping into mainstream where it belongs. I started I.F. 3 years ago and my body adjusted immediately. I eat from 9AM to 1PM and the benefits have been simply incredible. I weigh the same as I did in high school, have plenty of energy and a LOT more time to do other things besides shopping, preparing and eating food. And as mentioned in this video, all indications are that I.F. bolsters the immune system, prevents diseases, extends health span and is likely to improve brain functioning. It's probably the easiest way to greatly improve your life in most every way.

[karlhingus]

I did this for about six months. Stop eating after 4 p.m. Basically went to bed hungry every night. Slept like a god damn rock. Woke up with tons of energy. Felt slim, looked great feel great. Girlfriend loved the way I looked as well. However i have slipped up a bit. No big deal though.

[perryf.]

I’ve already been doing this for years now cause it’s always just been what feels best and natural to me. I just turned 30 and my metabolism hasn’t slowed down a bit. Weigh about the same as I did in high school, besides added muscle weight. Feel great. And people wonder all the time how I stay so lean. This video is the truth!

[connormccaskill]

This video changed my life. Been fasting for a month and already feel so much better!

[tammiehammett]

I've been intermittent fasting before I knew what it was because I knew how good it made me feel. I generally just eat dinner for about the last 30 years and I look 10 years younger than I am. I even work out and lift weights for 30 minutes a day fasted and go on a long walk fasted and then have a really high quality nutrient dense dinner. I don't have any health problems at 49 years old. Plus you save so much time and money having to worry about food and you can just get on with the business of living your life. I'm not telling anyone what to do I'm just telling you my experience and how fantastic I feel.

[Mr.Skylight]

I adopted this dietary lifestyle a long time ago. For as long as I can remember, people around me would question it and misconstrue it for an eating disorder. When I donated a kidney three years ago, my surgical team all agreed my kidney was the healthiest they’d ever seen, and that I was among the healthiest people they’d met. I’m also vegetarian and I don’t drink or smoke. It’s not just what you put into your body, but what you don’t put into your body that makes a difference…

[MMC-jpgl]

OMAD (one meal a day) healed up my hypothyroidism within a month. I now do two meals only with spiritual fasts throughout the year (Lent etc). Lots more time to do other things and save money at the grocery store too. Amazing how our body's adjust and it's no big deal for them. But I also don't eat sugar or gluten and eat organic only, so the transition wasn't hard at all. God bless~

[brianjoyce]

Dropped 40lb since April due to just eating when actually hungry, not just consuming on demand and craving, discovered I was intermittent fasting. I now do 36-46 hr fasts every 10 days and feel better every day.

[kaymuldoon]

I’ve done intermittent fasting in the past, along with cutting out sugar and refined carbs, and lost 60 lbs. I never felt better. I started back on the same plan about six weeks ago and I can already feel a difference.

[disappearintothesea]

People who fast already know this. People who don't fast, we welcome everyone.