By Jane Mcguire
Published September 9th, 2020
Difficulty Level: Easy Read– gives a good overview of the event without too much complexity
In September of 2020, James Cracknell and a group of seven other runners completed a 100 mile run over 5 days. Plus, they consumed only water and did the entire run in a fasted state. Their goal was to prove that our bodies can, and maybe should, run on little-to-no carbohydrates.
Our thoughts:
- James Cracknell is a two-time Olympic gold medalist who ran 100 miles over the course of 5 days without consuming anything but water
- His reasoning for the run was to show the problems with the UK’s dietary guidelines
- The guidelines suggested that individuals should consume a diet consisting of 55% carbohydrates
- He felt these guidelines had a little scientific basis and were a major reason for the increase in overweight individuals over time
- He believes that society puts too much emphasis on our need for carbohydrates
- His goal was to show that the body could be fuelled just by stored fat
- He wanted this experience to show others that low carb diets and fasting are effective options for diabetes/pre-diabetes
Who is James Cracknell?
- An Olympic rower from Great Britain
- He has won two gold medals and six world championship titles
- In 2005, he was appointed an Order of the British Empire award for his services to sports
- Since retiring, he has focused his energies on philanthropy, while working to bring awareness to the problems with our current dietary views
Can fasting actually help reverse or prevent type II diabetes?
- Trials have shown intermittent fasting to be more effective than cutting calories for weight loss
- Fasting can also help with blood pressure, inflammation, and circulating levels of fat and sugar
- Researchers have noticed fewer fatty deposits in fasting subjects
- Fatty deposits are lumps that develop under the skin due to a buildup of fat
- They are often caused by insulin resistance
- Small preliminary studies on the use of intermittent fasting to reverse diabetes have resulted in subjects being able to eliminate their need for insulin injections
- Some were able to stop taking their other diabetic drugs as well
- Overall, preliminary findings look good, but scientists are committed to doing more research on the subject in the future
Our sources for information on type II diabetes reversal:
- Intermittent fasting may help those with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, study suggests
- A scientific review which proposes that intermittent fasting may be helpful in preventing and reversing diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- Intermittent fasting: Live ‘fast,’ live longer?
- An article outlining some of the evidence for the benefits of intermittent fasting, as well as possibilities for future research
- Planned intermittent fasting may help reverse type 2 diabetes, suggest doctors
- A small study with results showing that intermittent fasting may be useful in reversing type II diabetes
Want to learn more?
- Why run 100 miles during a five-day fast? – Diet Doctor Podcast with Dr. Ian Lake
- Dr. Ian Lake is a physician who worked to treat his own type I diabetes using a low-carb diet
- He believes that the standard approach to care is not enough
- He also thinks that we don’t need carbs for energy and argues against the idea of fasting as starvation
- To prove his point, he organized and participated in the Zero Five 100 project
- Zero calories, over five days, running 100 miles
- James Cracknell is running for five days without food to prove we don’t need carbs – is he right?
- Another perspective on James Cracknell’s 100-mile run
- Therapeutic Fasting – Solving the Two-Compartment Problem
- One of our favorite videos explaining the many benefits of fasting, including fasting’s effects on insulin resistance
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