Fasting…What Does The Evidence Really Say? With Dr Michelle Harvie and Michael Titmus
Fasting has regained attention after Rishi Sunak endorsed a weekly 36-hour fast. So, in today’s episode, we’ll take an evidence-based look at why and when fasting could be helpful (and when it might not be), as well as discussing the evidence around some of the most popular fasting health claims. Our expert guests will share their practical experience, discussing whether they recommend fasting in their practices and offering tips for dietitians to debunk fasting myths. Dr Michelle Harvie is a research dietitian at the Prevent Breast Cancer Unit, Manchester University Hospital Foundation NHS Trust has been a state registered dietitian since 1991 and a research dietitian since 2001. Her research involves developing and pioneering intermittent low calorie (5:2) diets. This has primarily focused on the prevention and management of breast cancer including cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. This work has evolved and extended to the management of Type-2, Type - 1 and Gestational diabetes. Dr Harvie has 97 peer review publications and has published 3 self-help guides for the public to follow intermittent diets; The 2-day diet (Ebury, Feb 2013); The 2-day diet cookbook (Ebury April 2013) and the quick and easy edition (Ebury, Feb 2014). All author proceeds go to the Prevent Breast Cancer www.preventbreastcancer.org.uk Michael Titmus is an Advanced Practice Weight Management Dietitian at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. After graduating from the University of Plymouth, Michael worked as an Acute Dietitian at Weston General Hospital before moving to what was then Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust. Initially specialising in both weight management and eating disorders. Michael’s role has developed to where he is now the AHP-Clinical Lead in the North Devon Specialist Weight Management Service. Michael has an interest in time-restricted eating and its implications for dietetic practice, which he was able to pursue in his post-graduate studies through a critical appraisal of the evidence-base. Show Notes: Please be aware that this episode was recorded before the death of Michael Mosley so any references to him were understandably said in present tense. Prevent Breast Cancer website: https://preventbreastcancer.org.uk Prevent Breast Cancer Instagram: @preventbreastcancer Prevent Breast Cancer Twitter: @wearepreventBC Zoe Big IF study - https://zoe.com/learn/the-big-if-study-what-did-we-find