Fasting and Eating for Health: A Medical Doctor's Program for Conquering Disease

by Joel Fuhrman, Neal D. Barnard (Foreword)

Joel Fuhrman's Fasting and Eating for Health: A Medical Doctor's Program for Conquering Disease offers precise diet and fasting programs to relieve headache, hypoglycemia, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, colitis, psoriasis, lupus, and uterine fibroids.

You'll also learn:
- How to use fasting to lose weight
- How to start, what to expect, how to reintroduce food to maintain maximum benefits
- How to work with a physician for longer fasts (more than 3 days)

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Nutrition, Food, Diets, Self Help, Vegan

255 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 1995

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book mostly just annoyed me. The author comes across as one of those people who expect you to automatically believe everything they say, because of their credentials, not because of any facts they may have to back up their claims. He spent very little of the book talking about the actual process of fasting; this book is basically just a rant about how protein is poisoning you to death and we all need to eat nothing but plants. Every time I stumbled across something that seemed useful, he'd follow it up with something stupid, anecdotal, and outdated. I really wanted to like this book, but you will find more (and better) information online about fasting and the studies that support it than you will in this book. Huge disappointment.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I could fast until I learned about how healing it is for the body, mind and spirit. This book explains fasting, eating and health very well. If I can fast, anybody can fast. It feels so great and you will not believe how much better food tastes after fasting. It is worth the read and worth fasting. Joel's recipes have changed the health of many of our family and friends from very poor to fantastic in a short amount of time.

[Jeanette (Ms. Feisty) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very interesting to read, and makes some pretty spectacular claims for healing based on water-only fasting. Unfortunately, the benefits tend to come from longer-term, doctor-supervised fasts, which most of us cannot afford. However, there are some benefits to be had from shorter fasts you can do at home.

[Megan Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't really want to listen to this book. I didn't want it to make sense because then I'd have to make big changes. But it's truth is so blatantly obvious I couldn't ignore it. I'm really grateful for it.

[alexandra ༊*·˚ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was definitely not the target audience for this book lol but ignoring the little (99% of this book) cookie parts, it was an interesting read. Wouldn't really recommend anyone to read this one unless they are seriously desperate that nothing is working in their life.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Fuhrman explains the otherwise confusing information carefully extracted from various case studies in a way that the layman can understand (that's me). I thoroughly enjoyed reading this insightful book. My interest was so peaked that I've decided to read another work of his next; "Eat to Live". Insightful and eye-opening.

[Ashley (JaffaCaffa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You must earn your good health, it cannot be bought."

I will say I feel like this book is inaccurately named. While there is some talk about fasting, I'd say 85% of this book is about changing your diet to a low-fat, plant-based diet. (15% or less fat, 10-15% protein, and 70-75% of calories from complex carbs) The last 32 pages of this book focuses completely on fasting, but throughout the rest of the book it focuses on diet and how harmful medications can be, with just a touch on how fasting ties in. The cover makes it seem like it's at least 50/50 diet and fasting.

That said, I did find this book to be informative and useful but I agree with some of the other reviewers that it could have been much shorter. I read most of the book, only skimmed a couple sections that didn't relate to me whatsoever, but I feel like this book is meant to be skipped. Every section tended to repeated itself, so the facts of fasting and a low-fat diet would be mentioned in every chapter. For example, in the chapters: Headaches, Diabetes, Autoimmune Disease and Losing Weight, there would be specific talk regarding each of those health issues and how changing your diet/fasting would help, but instead of only discussing the specifics, most of the previous overall general facts would be listed again. I'm not sure why it was written this way, I definitely think it would have been better to list the facts and general ideas at the beginning so he wouldn't be repeating himself every 10 pages.

I definitely think someone picking up this book would think twice about their diet and at least consider changing it for the better. I like that Dr. Joel Fuhrman stressed changing the diet first before fasting and seeing the positive changes beforehand, so the person is more likely to continue being after the fast (fasting is not a quick way to lose weight and then continue eating processed foods). He also mentioned weening your way off of certain foods and medicines, making the transition as easy as possible.

I'll be honest I read this after I already fasted, but I fasted soon after stopping all of my heavy narcotic medicines because I was so ill from the withdrawal symptoms that I could barely keep my food down anyways. I definitely realise I should give it another go in a few months, after my body has a chance to detoxify even more from the (lack of) medicines. I'll also be changing my diet even more for the better, as I'm still eating some animal products and could always use more vegetables.


Quotes that stuck out to me:

"Imagine if every day I smashed my hand with a hammer. Could I expect a pain medication or anti-inflammatory drug to heal the wound? Obviously, I would not recover unless I stopped the daily pounding. Every day our nation's people are pounding themselves with a rich diet, ill-adapted to the needs of our species. This inevitably results in the eventual breakdown of our internal systems and the development of chronic disease."

"Food producers are permitted to use portion size or weight to calculate fat information [Whole milk that contains 4g of fat is actually made up of 50% fat still.] The meat and fast food industry has even picked up on the dairy industry's mathematical subterfuge. McDonald's '91 percent fat-free hamburger' contains 45 percent of calories from fat."

"Joint areas are extremely sensitive to decreased oxygenation because they have a marginal blood supply to begin with. Instead of being directly fed by blood vessels, the joints must receive their oxygenation via the joint fluid. When a fatty meal is consumed, the blood thickens and red blood cells stick together, which reduces the oxygenation of all tissues [...] increasing the sensitivity to joints to inflammation and immune system damage." (That makes sense why my joints have been in a lot less pain since lessening my fat and meat intake.)

"Certainly this method of healing is not for everyone. Many will not want to live a healthy life in the face of so much temptation in the modern world. We must respect one's right to choose a lifestyle. But remember, once you have gained the knowledge, your health and happiness are in your hands."

[Student · Rating 4 out of 5]

First chapter praises fasting and all the health benefits of fasting. The following chapters discuss how certain diseases can be treated (and he claims to have treated) with fasting. Also in these chapters is constant praise for vegetarianism which is a bit outdated (check out paleo). Towards the end of the book he goes into a bit more technical detail in the mechanics of fasting. If i was to read this book again I would read the first and last chapter and skip the middle chapters.

Overall a good read. It is aimed towards an average health conscious person. The main message is that fasting is your body's way of healing itself if you let it. He claims fasting can heal/treat most chronic conditions people face today. I would disregard the dietary advice though - look into paleo books for that.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want more information on 2 things:
1. How to find a doctor near me who is familiar with prolonged fasting.
2. How long I can fast safely, without Dr observation, since I have no idea how to find one.

Really fascinating information and astounding case reports and studies.
I want these results as well. I want to experience this for myself but I am unsure of how to male that happen.

[Tony Rogers Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book. Dr Fuhrman provides a ton of useful information. My only gripe is that he spends 95% of the book explaining why you should fast and only 5% of the book explaining how-to do it successfully. A major sin in my book. Still very informative and I highly recommend it.

[Challis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one of the most enlightening and important books I've read. I want to buy one for each of my friends and family members.

[Andrea Avalon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became a believer in the myth that the body can heal from any disease.

[Grace Dadoyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not 'feed a cold, starve a fever', it's actually 'starve a cold, starve a fever'. This was a fascinating book about fasting and its role in allowing the body to focus on healing.

[Susan Fong · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sounds great and wish I could do it, but alas my twin toddlers and preschooler will not let me sit around in bed for two weeks while I don't eat!

[Ning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fasting, followed by a vegan diet, can mitigate or even provide cure for many chronic illnesses. It's not as well known as it should be, partly because of the medical industrial complex as corporations don't benefit from your body's power of healing itself. It's even more reason to be open-minded to a medically monitored fasting and permanent change of diet to improve your physical and mental health, as well as the health of the planet.

[David Smart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers the science and benefits of fasting from an author who has conducted and overseen many fasts during his lifetime. It was pretty amazing to hear about the benefits of fasting and inspiring to read during my own 10-day fast. A good starting place for those looking to learn about diet, health and longevity.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really helpful during my fasting. It was informative and gave me a mental boost to know that I was allowing my body to regenerate itself.

He's, however, also promoting (a form of) vegetarianism as the most healthy live style. I'm not sure if this and his negative views on keto diets, have not been overtaken by research in the past 25 years.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Older edition, which I wish I had read a few years ago. Well, I'm where I am, and plowing forward ever forward.
I didn't read every page- I used the book more as a reference manual regarding specific health questions. I'm keeping it as a reference manual too.
I might see if a newer edition has more updated info- but this one had plenty for me as it was.

[Emilian Nedelcu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful information on fasting and benefits that comes to your body when you try to fast for a period of time. I would not recommend to try fasting without your doctor approval though.

I liked the book, but I expected to find more examples on what to eat for a healthy life, post fasting.

[Carlos Chikiamco · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

I bought this book thinking that it contains detailed steps on how to do the fasting. It does but only espouses fasting all throughout the book.

[Linda Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is old and outdated. When it started to reference low fat I lost interest as the low fat science has been proven to be erroneous and faulty.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone suffering from a chronic health condition should read this book before undergoing medical intervention. Everyone should read it to learn how to maintain a healthy body.

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. I wish I’d known about it earlier and that I had not kept pushing it off for other books on my list. I’m so grateful for this information.

[Dixie Jarchow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

Contained great information on fasting and the effects it can have on health. Enjoyed the references and the life stories

[E Nina Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good solid information. A great foundation to get your body healthy.

[Ronald Yu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chapter 4-8 are quite repetitive, and the book is less practical than I thought it would be.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent book if you're new to the topic. I've read about this before so didn't feel like I learned much.

[Randy Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

More about proper diet than fasting. Somewhat repetitive.

[Teresa]

This is not a novel so I didn't sit down and read it cover to cover. It's more a reference book after you've read the parts you're interested in.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting information, but ultimately not really substantial enough to justify a whole book, more like a long pamphlet. The beginning makes a compelling case for water fasting, and the end explains a bit about the mechanics of how to actually do it, but the middle basically repeats the same argument over and over. It also provides a base level explanation of Fuhrman's studies on nutrition, but if you want to learn more about that, stick with his other book Eat to Live: The Revolutionary Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss instead.

As a side note, I came to this book after having watched Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead and trying a juice fast for the first time. I expected Furhman would provide more medical background on the qualities of a juice fast. But as it turns out, he actually does the opposite, he refutes juice fasting and all other calorie restrictive fasting in favor of complete water fasting for approximately two weeks every five to ten years. He does make a strong enough case that I started doing some googling and found the Tanglewood Wellness Center that supervises the process for you (it sounds like you really don't want to take that on without medical supervision).

It's a quick read, and the information you'll get from it is worth the time, just plan on skimming the middle chapters of the book.