Podcast Summary: Feel Better, Live More with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee
Episode: Why This Cardiologist Recommends Fasting with Dr Pradip Jamnadas (re-release) #513
Release Date: January 19, 2025
Introduction
In this re-released episode of Feel Better, Live More, host Dr. Rangan Chatterjee engages in an insightful conversation with Dr. Pradeep Jammadas, a seasoned cardiologist with over three decades of clinical experience. The discussion centers around the therapeutic benefits of fasting, exploring its impact on various health conditions and its potential to empower patients towards better health outcomes.
The Surprising Benefits of Fasting
Dr. Jammadas shares his transformative observations from integrating fasting into his cardiology practice:
- Weight Loss: Patients consistently lost weight without the detrimental side effects seen in traditional diet programs.
- Blood Pressure Reduction: Significant decreases in blood pressure were noted, contributing to overall cardiovascular health.
- Reversal of Diabetes: Fasting effectively reversed type 2 diabetes in many patients.
- Slowed Coronary Artery Disease Progression: There was a notable reduction in the progression of atherosclerosis among fasting patients.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [00:00]: “People began to lose weight. People's blood pressures came down. Diabetes got reversed. The progression of coronary artery disease went down.”
Why Fasting Isn't More Widely Promoted in Medicine
Despite its benefits, fasting remains underutilized in mainstream medical practice. Dr. Jammadas attributes this to several factors:
- Time-Intensive Nature: Implementing fasting requires significant time and effort from physicians to educate and motivate patients.
- Lifestyle Changes Over Medication: Fasting demands a holistic approach to lifestyle changes, which is more challenging than prescribing medication.
- Lack of Tools: Unlike prescribing pills, fasting requires patients to make personal behavioral changes without tangible aids.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [05:58]: “We're really talking about a lifestyle change. And that's the hard part about fasting and talking to someone about fasting.”
Empowering Patients Through Fasting
Fasting not only addresses physical health but also fosters psychological well-being:
- Self-Empowerment: Patients gain control over their eating habits, leading to increased self-confidence and mental clarity.
- Improved Mood and Energy: Contrary to expectations, fasting patients reported better moods and higher energy levels.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [34:18]: “Patients mentally also seemed to be doing better. So fasting gave me not just this benefit, but a lot more.”
Fasting Beyond Food: A Holistic Approach
Dr. Jammadas emphasizes that fasting extends beyond abstaining from food:
- Digital and Substance Fasts: Incorporating breaks from social media, alcohol, caffeine, and other addictive substances.
- Addressing Addictions: Recognizing and mitigating various addictions to support overall health.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [11:12]: “Fasting is about your whole life. It’s about who you think you are and can you empower yourself to do it or are you just a slave to your day-to-day routines and advertising.”
Biochemical Mechanisms Behind Fasting
Understanding the science of fasting elucidates its comprehensive health benefits:
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Insulin Regulation: Fasting lowers insulin levels, combating insulin resistance and promoting fat metabolism.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [15:26]: “When you don’t eat, guess what, you don’t make insulin. That’s it. Your insulin levels plummet.”
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Ketogenesis: Extended fasting induces the production of ketones, which enhance brain function and energy levels.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [41:03]: “Now your fat pads are available for metabolism and I found that the fats just started coming off the patients.”
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Autophagy and Mitophagy: These cellular repair processes are activated during fasting, promoting longevity and reducing disease risk.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [44:57]: “Autophagy and mitophagy, which is recycling your biochemistry of your cells, does not occur in a fed state. It occurs much more when you are in a fasting state.”
Practical Implementation of Fasting in Clinical Practice
Dr. Jammadas outlines a structured, gradual approach to introducing fasting to patients:
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Dietary Overhaul (Weeks 1-3):
- Eliminate processed foods, sugars, and artificial additives.
- Emphasize whole, natural foods to detoxify and prepare the body for fasting.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [57:28]: “First thing we need to do is just change your diet. I want you to eat whole foods.”
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Gradual Fasting Introduction (Weeks 4-6):
- Begin with intermittent fasting, such as skipping one meal a day.
- Progress to time-restricted eating windows (e.g., 18 hours fasting, 6 hours eating).
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [75:08]: “They start out first doing this dietary stuff, okay, learn how to just skip meals.”
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Extended Fasting (Weeks 7+):
- Implement longer fasts (24-36 hours) once a week to deepen metabolic benefits.
- Supervise and adjust medications as necessary, especially for patients on insulin.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [86:47]: “My favorite fast is the three-day water fast. And most of them, I'm telling you, greater than 95% of them, when they've graduated to this point, they're able to do the three day water fast with no difficulty whatsoever.”
Special Considerations and Patient Diversity
Fasting protocols are tailored to individual patient needs, accounting for factors such as:
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Gender Differences: While some data suggest variations in benefits between men and women, Dr. Jammadas finds that women benefit as much as men from fasting.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [78:22]: “Women are certainly a population that is not exempt from coronary artery disease.”
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Cultural and Dietary Preferences: Plans accommodate diverse dietary habits, encouraging whole foods compatible with various cultural backgrounds.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [103:28]: “Eat only natural foods in their natural state. Stay away from anything that your great-great-grandfather wouldn’t eat.”
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Addressing Insulin and Blood Sugar Medications: Careful monitoring and adjustment of medications ensure safety during fasting periods.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [86:47]: “If they are on oral agents, I'll continue those oral agents while they're doing the 18-hour fast periods... But when a patient is taking insulin, I drop the insulin levels by half first.”
Mental and Emotional Benefits of Fasting
Beyond physical health, fasting fosters significant mental and emotional growth:
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Increased Self-Control and Confidence: Successfully managing fasting schedules enhances self-esteem and personal empowerment.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [97:26]: “Self-confidence just goes off the roof.”
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Stress Reduction Through Mindfulness Practices: Incorporating meditation during fasting periods helps manage stress and reinforces self-awareness.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [105:25]: “You need to do meditation. Just concentrate on your breathing... You are the real you.”
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Improved Cognitive Function: Patients report clearer thinking and better mental acuity during and after fasting periods.
Dr. Rangan Chatterjee [38:31]: “They said, daddy, actually feel really good. Like I could think really clearly.”
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Dr. Jammadas distills his approach into four essential tips for listeners seeking to improve their health:
- Consume Only Natural Foods: Eliminate processed foods and sugars to reduce inflammation and metabolic stress.
- Practice Intermittent Fasting: Eat infrequently and only when hungry to regulate insulin levels and promote fat metabolism.
- Prioritize Quality Sleep: Ensure at least seven hours of restful sleep each night to support overall health.
- Find Pleasure and Happiness: Engage in activities that bring joy to mitigate stress and enhance emotional well-being.
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas [113:43]: “Number one, eat only natural foods in their natural state. Two, eat infrequently only when you are hungry. Three, sleep at least seven hours a day. Number four, find pleasure in your life and activities so that you don't metabolize bad physiology from bad habits.”
Further Resources
Dr. Pradeep Jammadas
- YouTube Channel: Cardiovascular Interventions with Dr. Pradeep Jammadas
- Website: orlandocvi.com
- Galen Foundation: An educational foundation focused on heart health.
For more information on fasting protocols and Dr. Jammadas’s programs, listeners are encouraged to visit his YouTube channel and official website.
Final Thoughts
This episode underscores the profound impact of fasting on both physical and mental health. By adopting a structured and patient-centered approach, fasting can serve as a powerful tool in preventing and managing chronic diseases, while also fostering personal empowerment and emotional resilience.
Listeners are encouraged to consult healthcare professionals before embarking on any fasting regimen, especially those with existing health conditions or on medications.
Feel Better, Live More continues to inspire and educate listeners on simplifying health through practical, evidence-based strategies. For more episodes and resources, visit drchatterjee.com/podcast.