Long term fasting for stopping/slowing AN growth

[andrewiscycling]

Hi everyone, newly diagnosed with sporadic 21x30x22 AN.  41yo healthy and very active male (VO2 Max 60)

I am curious if anyone has tried longer duration fasting to stop/slow/reduce the size of the tumor? I have been intermittent fasting for nearly 10years, so looking for any experience in 3+ days.

There seem to be many studies on fasting w.r.t. cancer, specifically how glucose regulation can have a major positive impact.  However, I have not found much information w.r.t. ANs, and hoping someone here has experience with it leveraging the autophagy and inflammation-reducing benefits.

I am currently halfway through my first 3-day fast.

[donjehle]

While I have read about benefits of intermittent fasting, I have not heard of any relationship between intermittent fasting and acoustic neuromas.  That does not mean such research does not exist, and it certainly does not mean that intermittent fasting could not be of benefit to those of us with acoustic neuromas.  AFAIK, there is no evidence either way.  But let us know how it goes with you, andrewiscycling.

Best wishes on your journey!
Don

[andrewiscycling]

Thanks Don, finished my second 96hr fast last week (added a day).  I am doing this every 3 weeks, and I will say the second time around was a little easer than the first!  I feel great after day 1, and found it gave me more time overall, not thinking about what to eat is liberating in some sense. Day 4 I start to miss eating, and risk muscle atrophy if I go much longer.  I agree the impact of fasting on AN growth are not as broadly studied (or understood) as cancer, and the pathways for growth seem more complex and less dependent on insulin/sugar.  That being said, worst case it does nothing and I’m having surgery under the supervision of the best doctors in the world. Stay tuned!

[mwatto]

Thhis is interesting Andrew. I belong to a Long Covid forum using fasting for autophagy and healing. I havent tried it as yet. Keep us posted if any effect on  the AN. I was also looking into doing a parasite cleanse and currently am reading up on the glymphatic system re keeping brain healthy (sleep on side pref right for example).

[andrewiscycling]

Hey everyone, I’m about to start my 4th 3-day water fast. MRI on 17-March. 

Here’s what I’ve learned:

The 3rd fast (which I forgot to post about):
- I tracked my weight, as I saw significant body shape changes the first two times. I found I lost nearly 15lbs in 3 days…which I don’t believe is healthy.  It took me nearly 1.5 weeks to gain that back
- I also believe I over-exercised…I did some high intensity cycling sessions and a heavy lifting session. I felt like garbage the 3rd day…low energy and grumpy, but still able to have great focus for mental tasks
- At 3 days vs 4, the re-introduction of food isn’t as difficult.  I was able to tolerate a normal meal right away.

My protocol for this one will be light exercises and mobility, hopefully I won’t be as grumpy to my family!