Nutrition and Fasting for Self-Healing

Aug 31, 2024

Healing Yourself with Nutrition: Dr. Mindy Pels

Introduction

  • Dr. Mindy Pels: Top nutrition and functional health expert, best-selling author.
  • Leader in Alternative Health and Pioneer in fasting movement.
  • Key Message: You cure yourself; the body is a self-healing organism.

Understanding Autophagy

  • Definition: Autophagy = self-eating; process where cells clean out damaged components.
  • Function:
    • Eliminates viruses, bacteria, and rogue cancer cells.
    • Helps in regenerating healthier cells.
  • Trigger: Needs a fasted state (low nutrients and blood sugar).

Benefits of Fasting

  • Fasted State:
    • Blood sugar drops, body switches to burning fat (ketosis).
    • At 12 hours:
      • Ketones produced, mental clarity increases, hunger hormone decreases.
    • At 13 hours:
      • Growth hormone increases (slows aging).
    • At 15 hours:
      • Significant testosterone increase in men (up to 1300%).
    • At 24 hours:
      • Gut resets, stem cells repair gut lining.
    • At 36 hours:
      • Body burns stubborn belly fat.
    • At 72 hours:
      • Immune system reboots.

Fasting Recommendations

  • 3-day water fast: Twice a year for cellular cleansing.
  • 48-hour fast: Once a quarter for mental health benefits.
  • 36-hour fast: Monthly for weight loss support.
  • 24-hour fast: Weekly for maintenance.

Top Foods to Promote Autophagy

  1. Avocado
    • Excellent for breaking a fast.
    • Combines well with probiotic foods (e.g., sauerkraut, kimchi).
  2. Cacao
    • Choose clean cacao sources; promotes autophagy.
    • Research shows benefits on liver cells.
  3. Coffee
    • Promotes autophagy in liver, muscle, and heart tissues.
    • Must be organic and mold-free.
    • Black coffee allowed during fasting; adding MCT oil is beneficial.
  4. Green Tea
    • Stimulates autophagy universally in various cells.
  5. Olive Oil
    • Use organic, non-rancid oil; avoid heating.
    • Linked to reduced risk of Alzheimer's and cancer.
  6. Curcumin (Turmeric)
    • Enhances autophagy; best absorbed with black pepper.
    • Can be consumed in various forms (juicing, sprinkling on food).

Conclusion

  • Long-term effort is needed to stimulate autophagy.
  • Importance of making mindful food choices to prevent toxin buildup in cells.