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Diet Doctor Podcast · November 18, 2019 · 52m
Dr. Jason Fung on Fasting and the Obesity Code
Nephrologist Dr. Jason Fung explains the insulin-driven model of obesity and why therapeutic fasting — not just calorie restriction — is necessary to lower persistently elevated insulin levels and reverse type 2 diabetes.
Highlights
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Insulin resistance is the root cause of type 2 diabetes — and fasting is the most direct intervention
Fung: type 2 diabetes is caused by chronically elevated insulin driving progressive insulin resistance. Standard treatment (more insulin, more medication) worsens the underlying problem. Fasting directly lowers insulin levels, allowing resistance to reverse.•
Calorie restriction fails long-term because it doesn't address insulin — metabolic rate drops to match reduced intake
Fung: conventional calorie restriction reduces metabolic rate by 25-40% within months, creating a plateau. Fasting avoids this metabolic adaptation because it maintains counter-regulatory hormones (norepinephrine, growth hormone) that preserve metabolic rate.