Fasting Q&A with Dr Jason Fung: Sauerkraut, Stress and Body Set-Point, Enemas, Replenishing Glycogen After Exercise, Protein Requirements, and More

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Oct 22, 2024

Dr Jason Fung, nephrologist and fasting expert known for The Fasting Method, answers rapid-fire questions on practical fasting topics. He covers sauerkraut and fat-fasting foods, how stress and hormones shift body weight set points, whether enemas affect insulin, exercise glucose and glycogen replenishment, SGLT2 drugs and autophagy, and how much protein people really need.

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ADVICE

Sauerkraut Is Acceptable For A Fat Fast

Sauerkraut is fine during a fat fast because it has very little carbohydrate and minimal insulin effect.
Jason Fung notes fermented foods and vinegar may be beneficial and pickled cabbage won't noticeably disrupt a fat-focused fast.

INSIGHT

Weight Follows A Hormonal Thermostat Not Calories

Body weight behaves like a thermostat or set point controlled by hormones rather than a simple calories in/out equation.
Jason Fung explains insulin and cortisol push the set point up while agents like GLP-1 and sympathetic tone push it down, changing hunger and metabolic rate.

INSIGHT

Hyperinsulinemia Comes Before Insulin Resistance

Hyperinsulinemia is the driver and insulin resistance is a consequence, not the root cause.
Jason Fung argues processed foods, refined carbs, and frequent eating cause chronically high insulin which then induces cellular insulin resistance.

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Episode #175

In this Fasting Q&A episode, hosted by Coach Lisa Chance, Dr. Jason Fung answers questions from the TFM Community:

Is sauerkraut OK for fat fasting or olives only? [03:10]
What happens to the body weight set point when we are under stress? [04:11]
I recently listened to a podcast from a few years ago where you and Dr. Peter Attia discussed insulin resistance. You said you had evolved your thinking about it and that it was not like a lock and key that didn't fit, but, instead, more like an overflow situation. You described it as a suitcase (the cell) already filled to the point of overflowing with shirts (the glucose), and it just couldn't hold any more, you just couldn't stuff anymore in. You also said that it is hyperinsulinemia that drives metabolic syndrome, not insulin resistance. Is that your current view? [12:13]
Does an enema stimulate insulin? For example, a coffee enema with kefir, whey, or other added probiotics. [16:00]
When we exercise, our bodies will pump out blood glucose to help with the energy needed. For an insulin resistant person doing hard, aerobic exercise (such as HIIT or run/walk), does the raised blood glucose need insulin to process it? [17:31]
When a person is doing regular exercise routines, do they need to replenish glycogen stores after a workout or does the body do this on its own? [19:22]
I read an article recently about SGLT inhibitors which said they can stimulate autophagy. Is this true? [24:33]
Protein requirements are so confusing. If a person has a lot of weight to lose and they have a lot of excess skin (which is protein you want the body to use to minimize all that loose skin when you are done losing weight), how do they know how much protein to eat? Would they need less protein the more weight they had to lose? Does eating less protein force the body to use the loose skin? Does eating too much or too little protein have consequences? [27:40]
I have read some things that say 8 ounces of animal products per week is enough and more than that has negative effects (insulin resistance, elevated bad cholesterol, and other things), and so getting more protein from legumes, nuts, and seeds is a good idea. Also, the type of animal products makes a difference; it is not just the processing, but whether it is organic, pasture-raised, regenerative, etc. I think that it can be easy to interpret that, since saturated fat isn't as bad as we thought, we might eat more animal products or not-so-healthy animal products, and, while it might lower insulin and promote weight loss in the short term, there can be other long-term effects that are not so healthy. Can you comment? [34:19]

LINKS

The two podcast episodes Lisa mentioned were:

GLP-1s

Episode #163 - Fasting Q&A with Dr Jason Fung: Order of Fat Burning, Fasting With a Gastric Sleeve, BMR Fluctuation, GLP-1 Drugs, and More

https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcast/2024/7/30/fasting-q-a-with-dr-jason-fung-order-of-fat-burning-fasting-with-a-gastric-sleeve-bmr-fluctuation-glp-1-drugs-and-more

Hair Loss

Episode #163 - Fasting Q&A with Nadia Pateguana, ND: Children and Snacking, Food Intolerances Since Fasting, Meals to Break a Fast, Hair Loss, and More

https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcast/2023/3/28/-fasting-q-a-children-and-snacking-food-intolerances-since-fasting-meals-to-break-a-fast-hair-loss-and-more-

Please note that you need to be a member of the TFM Community to submit questions to the Q&A webinars with Dr. Fung but you can submit questions to our regular Q&A episodes here: https://bit.ly/TFMPodcastQs

Transcripts of all episodes are available at www.thefastingmethod.com on the Podcast page.

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This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.