by Peter Attia MD
The Peter Attia Drive explores the science of longevity, health optimization, and performance. With over 100 million downloads, it covers exercise, nutrition, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and cognitive function. Hosted by Dr. Peter Attia, a Stanford- and Johns Hopkins-trained physician, the show features expert insights to help listeners apply cutting-edge research to improve health and lifespan.
In episode 59, Dr. Jason Fung, a nephrologist and bestselling author, discusses fasting as a tool for tackling obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. He challenges conventional medicine by arguing that hyperinsulinemia, not insulin resistance, is the key driver of metabolic dysfunction. He explains how fasting lowers insulin levels and reverses chronic conditions.
The episode examines the slow progress of medicine compared to physics, early metabolic disease markers seen in kidney patients, and why common treatments for type 2 diabetes often fail. Fung and Attia also discuss fasting’s impact on muscle mass, longevity, and inflammation and how it compares to bariatric surgery in treating metabolic disease.
For a deeper dive into the science behind fasting and metabolic health, listen to the full episode of The Peter Attia Drive podcast.