Fasting: The Ancient Secret to Modern Weight Loss

How Skipping Meals Can Heal Your Body and Mind

What if the answer to weight loss isn’t another diet, but a return to something ancient and simple—fasting? In The Obesity Code, Dr. Jason Fung champions fasting as the most powerful, overlooked tool for reversing obesity. Unlike starvation, fasting is a voluntary, structured pause from eating that allows your body to lower insulin, burn fat, and repair itself at the cellular level. Across history, fasting has been used for healing, spiritual clarity, and even longevity. Today’s science confirms what our ancestors knew: giving your body a break from food is essential for health.

Intermittent fasting, where you eat within a set window and fast for the rest of the day, is easy to start and fits most lifestyles. Research shows it can reverse insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, and even improve brain health. People who try fasting often report more energy, mental clarity, and freedom from constant hunger.

Fasting isn’t about suffering—it’s about healing. Beginners can start slow, with 12-hour fasts or skipping breakfast, and gradually increase as comfort grows. The key is to listen to your body and honor your hunger and fullness signals. With fasting, you’ll discover that you are stronger, more resilient, and more in control than you ever thought possible.