This week we're talking about fasting, the power of periodically foregoing food, and the significant health benefits that can proceed from doing it intelligently. Pilar shares what led her to embark on a seven day, medically-supervised water fast (yes, she consumed nothing but water for seven days, and lived to tell about it!). And Dallas shares what he knows about the increasingly popular intermittent fasting phenomenon. We talk about the potential pros and cons of fasting, and why it's not for everybody. We wind up with fasting experiments and suggestions you can try on your own, and offer up resources for further study. Finally, Pilar comes back to report on how her week-long fasting experiment went, and why, even though it wasn't all roses and rainbows, she's likely to do it again.

"Fasting" Episode Highlights

• The history and ancient wisdom of fasting, and its potential dark side (e.g., eating disorders and orthorexia)
• The difference between fasting (long-term and intermittent) vs. restricted diets and detoxing
• The essentials of intermittent fasting protocols, including potential benefits and risks
• The reasons for doing longer-term and more "extreme" water fasts, and why they should always be medically supervised
• The phases the body goes through during and after the fast
• Warnings against fasting when it isn't a well-reasoned part of a nutrient-dense, whole foods diet
• This week's experiments
• Postscript: Pilar shares her water-fasting experience and invites questions (follow-up episode, anyone?)

Get full show notes and resources at http://livingexperiment.com/fasting/