Fasting Q&A with Dr Jason Fung: Smoothies and Protein Drinks, Iodine, High Uric Acid, ADHD, and More

Fasting Q&A with Dr Jason Fung: Smoothies and Protein Drinks, Iodine, High Uric Acid, ADHD, and More

Author: The Fasting Method February 25, 2025 Duration: 30:51

Episode #193

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

  1. Are home-made smoothies and protein drinks helpful or detrimental as meal replacement when trying to lose weight or reverse type two diabetes? If so, what kind would you recommend? (05:14)
  2. Is it acceptable for someone 4'10" to eat 0.6 grams of protein per kilogram instead of TFM's recommended 0.8-1.2 gram, since they are so petite? (08:32)
  3. How does iodine intake and storage work in the body from a scientific perspective? Since iodine is water soluble, what is known about how long the body can maintain adequate iodine levels between dietary intake? Are there any established research findings about the need for iodine during different eating patterns, such as an extended fast? (12:02) 
  4. Will consistently high uric acid levels from fasting adversely affect my health even if I don't have symptoms of hyperuricemia? (14:08) 
  5. I believe you addressed this at the time Dr. Peter Attia was a guest on Thomas DeLauer's YouTube channel, but I can't remember which one of our podcasts that was. Wasn't he cautioning about extended fasts and muscle loss for people who were already in great shape - "shredded" if you will? Don't you quickly regain any muscle lost once you start eating nutrient-dense food again? (15:21)
  6. Is there more autophagy happening during exercise or fasting? (21:17)
  7. What is the best fasting regime for someone with a low BMI but who has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease? How long should alternate-day fasting (just started two 42-48 hour fasts a week) combined with a whole-food, low-carb diet continue? (23:46)
  8. What are your thoughts on fasting while taking ADHD medication? (25:04)
  9. Do you have any recommendations for a diet that will starve or kill cancer? (26:23)
  10. How long does it take to reverse insulin resistance while doing fasting and low-carb and how do you know when you have? (27:42)

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

LINKS

The two videos from the Fasting & Longevity Summit mentioned in this episode can be found here:

Dr Ben Bikman - https://youtu.be/3GKiT2Ihek8?si=IHDMFHN3xpp4sEIf

Dr Brian Lenzkes - https://youtu.be/Qqi8sumxGZY?si=p2QvYcCIjnk_vDLC

 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Disclaimer

05:14 Smoothies as meal replacements

08:32 Protein allowance

12:02 Iodine intake

14:08 High uric acid levels

15:21 Muscle loss

21:17 Autophagy from exercise vs fasting

23:46 ADF for low BMI and NAFLD

25:04 Fasting while on ADHD medication

26:23 Diet to starve/kill cancer

27:42 How long to reverse insulin resistance

 

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

Learn More About Our Community: https://www.thefastingmethod.com

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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.


For anyone navigating the world of intermittent fasting, sorting through the noise can be the hardest part. The Fasting Method Podcast cuts through that confusion with clarity and authority. Co-hosted by recognized experts Megan Ramos and Terri Lance, Ph.D., this podcast is built on a foundation of real science and practical application. The conversations here move beyond simplistic tips to explore the nuanced physiology of fasting, the psychological hurdles, and the sustainable strategies that lead to lasting health changes. You’ll hear detailed explorations of metabolic adaptation, hormone regulation, and the social complexities of changing one's eating patterns, all grounded in the hosts' extensive clinical and research experience. This is a space where listener questions drive the dialogue, making each episode a direct address to the real-world challenges people face. Tune in for a candid, evidence-based resource that treats fasting not as a trend, but as a deeply personal tool for wellness. The discussions on this podcast are designed to empower you with knowledge, demystify the process, and provide a supportive audio companion for your journey.
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