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In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter revisits the topic of fasting, sharing how his thinking has evolved over time. The episode explores fasting-related terminology and common types of fasting, as well as the various reasons individuals might choose to fast. Peter explores potential benefits including improvements in body composition, metabolic health, lifespan extension, cardiovascular disease, cancer prevention and treatment, neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and autoimmune symptoms like arthritis. He also examines the risks and potential downsides of fasting and offers a practical framework to help assess when and how fasting may be most appropriately applied.

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We discuss:

• Why the topic of fasting is being revisited [1:45];

• The importance of being open to changing one's opinion in science and medicine as new evidence emerges [4:15];

• Defining fasting and how it fits in the framework of dietary restriction, time-restricted feeding, and calorie restriction [7:30];

• The most common types of fasting [11:45];

• Why someone might choose fasting over continuous caloric restriction [19:00];

• The biochemical effects of fasting: fuel partitioning, autophagy, and more [21:00];

• Autophagy: a cellular cleanup process stimulated by fasting and energy depletion [26:00];

• Comparing the physiological effects of a ketogenic diet to those of long-term fasting [27:45];

• Ho