FastForward: A Prospective Analysis of Long-term Fasting and Subsequent Food Reintroduction in Humans
This study, called FastForward, is exploring what happens to your body and how you feel during and after a medically supervised fast of five days or more. Participants at the Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinic will follow a specific fasting plan, then carefully reintroduce food. Researchers will check in with participants using online surveys for up to three months afterwards. For the first two weeks after fasting, you'd also wear a glucose monitor, take photos of your meals, and do simple at-home blood tests. The goal is to better understand how fasting affects your body's processes, diet, and general well-being, helping to offer useful advice for people interested in fasting for health.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This research, called FastForward, wants to understand more about how your body and well-being are affected by a period of fasting, and especially by the important phase when you start eating again afterwards. It's hoped that by carefully studying people who fast, we can learn more about how long-term fasting influences things like your weight, your body's energy use (metabolism), your eating habits, and how you generally feel.
The study takes place at the Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinic, where participants follow a medically supervised fasting program for at least five days. After fasting, there's a gentle period of reintroducing food. The researchers will then keep an eye on how you're doing over time to get a clearer picture of these changes.
The main idea is to gather information from people during and after their fast. This will help scientists understand both the immediate and slightly longer-term effects of fasting on your body's systems, your diet, and your overall sense of health. The hope is to provide practical, reliable information for anyone considering fasting as a way to improve their health.
Key takeaways
- Study looks at how fasting and reintroducing food affects your body.
- Participation includes a medically supervised fast at Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinic.
- Involves online surveys, glucose monitoring, meal photos, and home blood tests.
- Lasts for your fast period plus up to three months of follow-up.
- Aims to provide better understanding and guidance for healthy fasting.
- You can stop participating at any time.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 90 years old. You must be planning to fast for at least five days at one of the Buchinger Wilhelmi clinics (either in Überlingen or Marbella) and be able to give your clear agreement to take part. This means understanding what the study involves and signing a consent form.
There are certain reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you have severe weight loss, an eating disorder like anorexia, or serious kidney, liver, or brain blood vessel problems. You also can't take part if you have long-term mental health conditions that are not well-controlled, are already in another research study, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you between 18 and 90 years old?
- Are you planning to fast for at least 5 days at a Buchinger Wilhelmi clinic?
- Do you feel well enough to fast and participate in a study?
- Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Are you not currently part of another research study?
- Do you not have chronic or severe heart, kidney, liver, or mental health conditions?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, your participation will happen during and after your visit to the Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinic. First, a study doctor will explain everything and get your signed permission. Your clinic stay will begin with a simple vegetarian dinner, followed by a 'rest day' with very light food to prepare your body for fasting.
The fasting phase starts with a bowel cleanse. During the fast, you'll have small amounts of fruit or vegetable juice, vegetable broth, and optional honey daily. The fast will last at least 7 days, ending with a slow reintroduction of food. Throughout your stay, you'll also be able to take part in the clinic's usual activities like exercise and treatments.
After your fast, you'll complete online surveys during fasting and for up to three months afterwards, sharing information about your health and feelings. For the first two weeks after you stop fasting, you'll wear a small continuous glucose monitor to track your blood sugar, use a mobile app to photograph your meals, and do simple blood tests at home using a kit. There will also be follow-up checks after one and three months.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Buchinger Wilhelmi KlinikVerified postcodeÜberlingen, Germany
Common questions
What is the main goal of this study?
The study aims to understand how fasting and starting to eat again affects your body, diet, and how well you feel, to provide better guidance for people interested in fasting.
How long will I be involved in the study?
You'll be involved during your fast at the clinic and then continue with follow-up online surveys and tests for up to three months after you finish fasting.
Do I need to be a patient at a specific clinic?
Yes, you must be fasting for at least 5 days at either the Buchinger Wilhelmi clinic in Überlingen or Marbella.
What kind of tests will I need to do?
You'll fill out online surveys, wear a continuous glucose monitor, take photos of your meals using an app, and do some simple at-home blood tests using a kit.
Will I receive any direct medical advice from the study?
The study itself doesn't provide medical advice, but it aims to gather information that can help develop better guidance for healthy fasting practices.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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