From our previous discussions about the “sugar” diet, the key mechanism appears to be stimulation of FGF-21 which is triggered by protein sparing, and not sugar.
FGF-21 decouples mitochondria from cells and appears to increase basal metabolic rate by ~20%.
MD Shawn Baker does a protein sparing carnivore diet experiment (butter only) for 3 days - which should also stimulate FGF-21 increases.
Shawn Baker lost 4.5kg (10lbs) in 3 days doing this protein sparing diet.
THIS DIET IS NOT HEALTHY! You need protein.
We have discussed this before as a “fat” fast, but never in the context of FGF-21.
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From a evolutionary perspective I’m not sure what benefit humans get from FGF-21 basal metabolic rate increases.
i.e. when fasting why increase the daily burn rate at all?
If I had a unlimited budget I’d do comparison studies between BMR and fasting, fat fasting, ketogenic metabolism, and omnivore Mediterranean - a cross over design with a 6 week wash in period, and a 6 week adaption window to each intervention.
The FGF-21 signal appears to be very strong in mitochondrial decoupling, but I’m not sure if there is any benefit to fat fasting vs just water fasting.