Check Out What Happened When I Fasted for 21 Hours - Dr. Berg’s Intermittent Fasting Experiment

I did an intermittent fasting experiment on myself. Here's what happened. 

For more details on this topic, check out the full article on the website:

Timestamps
0:09 My intermittent fasting experiment 
1:06 Intermittent fasting benefits after 21 hours
1:45 The research
2:09 More health benefits of intermittent fasting 
2:32 Alzheimers disease 
3:02 My challenge

In this video, I want to tell you what happened when I increased my fasting to 21 hours. 

Normally I eat around 12-1 and 6-7. I get about 18 hours of fasting with a six-hour eating window. For my intermittent fasting experiment, I had my first meal at 3 and my last meal at 6. That's just a three-hour eating window, which gives me 21 hours of fasting. This may not seem like much, but it made a significant difference in my cognitive function. 

 The intermittent fasting benefits I experienced after 21 hours:

• Improved memory
• More focus
• Better learning
• Better at locating things
• More creativity
• Better mood
• Increased productivity
• More organized 
• More decisive 

Here's what happens. You increase something called BDNF. This is a protein that helps you grow neurons and slow aging.

More health benefits of intermittent fasting:

• Increases ketones
• Increases autophagy
• Improves synapses 

You may already be doing this intermittent fasting pattern, or you may be doing OMAD (one meal a day). But, if you're at 18 hours or less, I challenge you to start trying 21 hours of fasting. Try it for three days, and then evaluate your cognitive function. 

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, 56 years of age is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of The New Body Type Guide and other books published by KB Publishing. He has taught students nutrition as an adjunct professor at Howard University. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

If you're currently fasting for 18 hours or less, try 21 hours and see what it can do for you.

[cecymercedes]

I have been fasting 20 - 21 hours everyday for the last three weeks so I eat from anywhere from 3:30 until 6:30 or 7:30. Let me tell you! I feel like I am gliding when I walk. Exercising is so much better. I have never felt this dense before. I was so sluggish and I was always so irritated. It changed my mood, my skin is so clear, my nails and oh man my memory. I use to get migraines really bad. I haven’t had one. I will continue this for life! My mom and brother told me I look thinner and younger

[spockboy]

So refreshing to experience a doctor who practices what he preaches. :)

[kumarbanerjee]

Fasting 20hours+ always feels excellent to my body.
Better mood, better digestion, less hunger, less inflammation.
You r my Guiding Angel Dr.
Thanks.

[heartsbane]

I do a 22 hr fast daily for past 18 months. Feel 25 again (actually 53). It truly has worked wonders for me.

[majorjack]

Doctor, I've been following you for what seems years and have recommended your channel to many friends. As a pianist, I've noticed my sight-reading abilities skyrocket when I pass the 18 hour fast.
I join the countless others who cherish you. truly.

[StevenBradley-sqkg]

It's starting to sound like we don't need as much food as we've been told, just nutritionally dense food.

[hulkefarm]

I’ve already do this. Boy! Glad to hear I’m not weird 😎👍✨
My mom(has) and grandma(had/died from) Alzheimer’s. Both lived with diabetes/high blood pressure. Both took meds for a long long time. Both kept eating 3 meals a day and never really gave up sugar, thinking meds were going to cure or take care of the health situation.

Getting back to IF, I DO think clearer, and have better memory, and learn better while fasting. I was diagnosed at the age of 9 with dyslexia. I now think it was “White sugar clog fog”
So this is my experience and conclusion of fasting 21

[SampathKumar-upfk]

"Eka Bhoktay Yogi, Dwi Bhoktay Bhogi, Tri Bhoktay Rogi"
It literally means the person who eats one meal a day is a Yogi.The person who eats 2 meals a day is a person who is enjoying his life.A person who is eating 3 meals a day is a patient.
Ancient Indian Rishis have told this.

[keylimepie]

I fasted for 21 hours and the result was my fridge was super cold when I opened it compared to me constantly opening it and grabbing stuff to eat.

[Chamoricangurl]

I have been doing 21 hour IF and eating from 3-6 for a full week - after getting myself fat adapted FIRST. And honestly...I feel INCREDIBLE! Nothing beats this mental clarity and focus.

I made the mistake of jumping right into IF and 1-2 meals a day after being on a high-carb diet and I experienced horrible headaches, fatigue and brain fog. After watching your videos I learned to gradually get myself there and it really helped me stick it out. Thank you so much.

I’m now at the point where I can fast for 20-21 hours everyday and I’ve lost my addiction to food. I’m no longer perpetually hungry and it feels SO GOOD!!! I love this feeling dr berg and I couldn’t have gotten here without you. Whenever my hunger isn’t there I think to myself, “my body is eating my fat! SCORE!” 😂

You’ve also convinced and helped me to stay away from alcohol, stress, sugar, snacks and carbs. You’re in the back of my mind saying, “it will stop fat-burning!” OR “it will raise insulin!” And I can easily shove it away.

When my family or friends ask me why I’m not eating any of their garbage foods that they want me to, I simply say “I already ate.” ITS SO MUCH EASIER than saying I’m doing keto or fasting, because people love to try to bring you down for going against the grain.

Keep doing what you do! ❤️

[moniquebaskett]

I noticed the mental clarity and productivity when fasting for 20 hours a day.

[tysimon]

Absolutely true, I am doing OMAD 4 days a week, and 16 hours the other three, there's a big difference.

[eileeng.]

At the age of 89, having been healthy Keto since October 2018, and OMAD for most of that time, I think there is a fight between my ketosis/fasting and the inevitable aging process. I am more forgetful, and my balance is not good, but maybe I’m better than I would have been without keto OMAD. I take no medication, and am generally healthy. I continue to run music groups in my home twice a week, and have recently coped on my own with downsizing and moving house. I have been very much helped by your videos. Thank you!

[avinashjagdeo]

A lot of my 24 hour fasts happen when I'm working or doing a home project. Just keep going without a break until you're done for the day. Eat at 6.

[paradzaimakosa]

I have been doing OMAD for the last 27 days, certainly Memory and Brain Function in general has sharpened!

[MonaLisa-ogdx]

I was fasting 20 hours a day and just recently changed it to 22 hours a day. I'm loving it. 😊
Just Boosted my once a month 48 hour water fasts to 72 hours every 2 weeks. Feeling amazing!!!

[lessley]

I’ve been doing a 22 Hr fast this past week. Dr Berg described much of what I’m experiencing now. Incredible!! The results are amazing energy, healing and rest qualities everyone wants to feel! I’m sold on this New Lifestyle 🙌🕉💝

[ayasherif]

I am a Muslim so fasting is so easy to me, I do it twice a week and it helped me a lot seriously, your videos is really really helpful thank you so much

[maxibake]

I've been doing 20 hour fasts, eating at 2pm & 6pm, with a couple off OMADs a week, for a month or 2 now. Very happy doing so, it's routine now. Thank you for sharing this important information with us all, & take care of yourself to. ❤🙂🐶

[gordyn]

After a year and a half of fasting at least 22 hours every single one of those days, I completely concur. Combining it with a Keto or very low carb diet is literally the cream on the top. I do a 48 hour fast at least once a month and it's like supercharging it. The long term benefits are even better.