Effects of short-term fasting on cancer treatment
I had a wake-up call when my Doctor said my Body Mass Index (BMI) was 29.7 (obese is 30).  So I made a total lifestyle change to a 16&#x2F;8 intermittent fast (16 hours water only, 8-hour feeding window), and a plant-based diet (basically vegan plus a fish once a week for Omegas).<p>It was life-changing.  I lost 22kg in two months, with no exercise.  I am now back to a healthy BMI, but I no longer use BMI as a measure, I use the Relative Fat Mass Index (RFM) because my research indicates that this is a more accurate measure for tall people (I&#x27;m 6&#x27;3&quot;).<p>Besides looking great after shedding all that weight, I never expected the mental benefits to be so pronounced.  Indeed it is fair to say it has had a nootropic effect.  I no longer &#x27;need&#x27; coffee, and the persistent brain fog has lifted and my default state is calm mental clarity.<p>Of course, I can only speak from my own personal experience here... I haven&#x27;t done extensive blood tests pre and post this lifestyle change, but the change has been so shocking that friends and family cannot believe it.<p>You might think going 16 hours with no food is going to be hard but if you get the timings right, it&#x27;s easy (and you get used to it).  I start my fast at 8 pm, and I break the fast at noon.  This way I can have business lunches and early-ish business dinners (as long as I finish eating by 8 pm).  Most restaurants cater for vegans or at least have a vegetarian option.  If not, I go for a fish option.<p>When I break the fast I do it with an avocado&#x2F;cucumber&#x2F;kale&#x2F;spinach smoothie which blasts my body with super nutrients.  I avoid all processed carbs (no bread or pasta), I avoid all processed sugar (no cola or any refined sugar products), I avoid all dairy, and of course, avoid meat.  Also, there is no calorie reduction... I eat as much as I like in my 8-hour feeding window (which controls Ghrelin and therefore doesn&#x27;t mess up my metabolism).<p>Always consult a medical professional before you do any drastic changes like what I&#x27;ve done, and do your own research on this stuff so you have the confidence that it&#x27;s the right choice for you, and that you&#x27;ll stick with it.