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"the fasting method" - worth the money?

R

Roggg

Well-Known Member
Messages
282
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hey all. I've been reading/watching a lot of info from Jason Fung, who seems to the the leading proponent of IF for diabetes and obesity. He is associated with a web site called "thefastingmethod.com" which charges a subscription fee for access to their resources. Has anyone subscribed? If so, is there any value from the subscription that you could not get through freely available sources?

It's a little pricey, and I'm just wondering if there's anything to make it worthwhile. Thanks.
 
Personally I wouldn't bother.
Not eating is pretty simple really.. not sure why people need telling how or why they use"fasting apps" when a clock works just as well.
 
You can view a lot,of Jason Fung’s stuff on YouTube, or buy his book on fasting - much cheaper than signing up to the website.
 
That's about what I suspected, although I would stile interested in hearing any firsthand experiences. If there's some kind of personal 1:1 coaching, it might be worthwhile, but you're spot on about one thing. It doesn't get much simpler than not eating.
 
What kind of thing do you want to know?
 
I think a lot depends on your own personality. For that kind of fee, my guess is you get more monitoring and online coaching etc. I think this forum by selection bias alone has people motivated to do their own research, monitoring, etc. Not everyone has the time or energy to do that for themselves. I think as with all things, you get what you pay for. If you're happy to do your own thing, it probably wouldn't have much value. Some people also get more motivation from having their progress monitored and being accountable - paying money in and of itself is often a motivator. Motivation is a highly individualised factor.
 
@bulkbiker I guess more than anything I'm wondering if this is a money-grab or if there's something of value being offered. And more out of curiosity than anything, as aside from personal coaching, there's not much they could be offering that I might bet interested in. I'm the type to do my own research, and I'm pretty self motivated, so I don't need much. This forum is very informative and supportive, and for free too.

When I first started paying attention to Fung, I was pretty put off by how monetized his participation in the area of diabetes and obesity treatment is. That combined with the lack of peer reviewed research made me extremely sceptical of his message.
 
Roggg said:
When I first started paying attention to Fung, I was pretty put off by how monetized his participation in the area of diabetes and obesity treatment is.
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I'd disagree there as Dr Fung put me on the right track along with support from people on the forum.

He has a huge amount of free content available on youtube and unlike most research scientists successfully treats patients.

As you are self motivated then you probably don't need online coaching , I'm similar myself, but I'd highly recommend the "Diabetes Code" book.
 
Regarding Fung, I'd say I mostly agree now as well, but that was my initial impressions, so I have bought Diabetes Code and read it very skeptically. I believe the advice is very solid.

There's a wave of new understanding around diabetes that Fung is very much in the middle of, if not as a pure researcher, then as a clinician and advocate.
 
If you only ever listen to one person in this business, it had better be Jason Fung. Whether or not someone pays for the privilege, is a matter of circumstance and personal choice, but at the end of the day we all have to make a living.
 
Early days yet, but I've found personally, that the purchase of some intelligent scales and a fitness watch have helped enormously in not only giving me lots of information, but giving me the motivation to improve on my figures,
 
I've heard quite a few interviews lately with obesity, PCOS, other patients (now coaches) who have been employed for this new enterprise by Fung (+ Ramos - her name isn't mentioned enough and she's crucial to the patient experience). All wouldn't have their current jobs which they all seem to enjoy without Jason Fung. Their wages have to be paid somehow. I don't understand this attitude that nobody should have to pay for anything and doctors being resented for charging. There's so much free content out there, if people choose to pay for more intensive help, surely that's their choice? If there wasn't a market, there wouldn't be a business model to serve it.
 
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@Jim Lahey Yeah his advice seems solid. Although he doesn't publish his own research, his book is well researched and references a ton of leading researchers. I find him well informed and inspiring to listen to.

@surdoux I have had a smart scale and an Apple Watch for years now, and I agree. They are extremely useful.

@Indy51 I don't want to step in a hornets nest here, so I'm not going to respond after this one, but feel free to have your say. I have no problem with experts making money off their expertise. I bought one of Fung's books with my money, and I feel it was well worth it. I find the website paywall goes beyond what I'm used to seeing from medical professionals. So I ask if it's worth it. I find it interesting that on the fasting sub-forum on one of the largest diabetes communities in the world, nobody has said they have subscribed. I also have not been able to find a single independent review of the subscription program on the web. Maybe I'll just do the free 7 day trial and review it myself.
 

I suspect that in Canada medical insurance may pay some or all of the cost. As this is a mainly UK based forum, most folks are used to free at the point of delivery services, so we’re looking at very different models.
 
I'm Canadian. It's a mish-mash of single payer, private insurance and co-pay but mostly free (single payer). All GP visits for example are free of charge, but optometry exams are only free for kids and diabetics, but many career jobs with benefits will offer health insurance that covers it. On the fringes (dental, chiropractic etc...) it varies from province to province. Most "weight loss clinics" operate outside of public funding for most patients. A few years ago the government was offering grants for people who attended weight loss clinics, paid out of pocket and were successful.

No idea about Fung's clinic, although I now see "IDM"more likely to return google hits for Houston rather than Toronto.
 
I think you can do a Free 7 day trial at TheFastingmethod.com. I tried it, but did not find I learns any more from the resources or forums. That being said, I have watched every Jason Fung video and real all his books. I find DietDoctor.com the best resource and do subscribe for that.

Access to TheFastingMethod.com gives you resources, courses and forums, but if you want coaching then that’s extra costs (big money). It may well be worth it, I have not tried so can’t comment. But I am looking for the right coaching in the UK on my Fasting and Insulin Medication remission.

Unfortunately, my Diabetes Specialist (NHS) don’t support Fasting or LCHF sufficiently and seem to prefer long term use of Insulin.

Perhaps tray the free 7 day trial and also the Free Month Trial at DietDoctor.com
 
Well nto eating saves a bit of money. I don't blame Jason Fung for trying to commericalise fasting however there is lots of info by him that will give you some basic ideas or if you want to make a one off investment buy is book on the topic!
 
Bwel said:
Unfortunately, my Diabetes Specialist (NHS) don’t support Fasting or LCHF sufficiently and seem to prefer long term use of Insulin.
Click to expand...

Thats why its better to educate ourselves and decide how we want to treat our condition..
 
I think Jason fung is brilliant, in these times especially maybe paying for the service he provides is out of bounds...(or at all ) but you can gain so much from his books and internet stuff. He provides a lot for free and the books are easily available and there are forums on Facebook. Using his simple advice my blood sugars are a THIRD of what they were 6 weeks ago. Says it all really doesn’t it...and no meds. And less food. And I feel so much better. Bit grumpy when I’m fasting but my mantra is ‘what do you want more’.
 
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