The Oldest Cure in the World: Adventures in the Art and Science of Fasting

De: Steve Hendricks

Narrado por: Jonathan Todd Ross

A journalist takes listeners into the science and history of intermittent fasting, an ancient practice in the middle of a red-hot resurgence, exploring the body's power to heal itself.

One in ten American adults tried intermittent fasting last year, and they may be on to something. The latest research shows that fasting repairs cellular damage, improves the outcomes for chemotherapy patients, and helps with keeping a healthy weight, leading to a resurgence in recent years.

Journalist Steve Hendricks’s The Oldest Cure in the World tells the history of fasting—from the ancient world (Jesus treated an epileptic with fasting) to its rediscovery centuries later, thanks in part to a heartbroken doctor who resolved to starve himself to death only to find renewed vigor—and become a media celebrity in the process. Hendricks introduces us to the people who are reviving this long-lost remedy, including open-minded doctors who have explored and practiced fasting despite the medical establishment's resistance over the centuries and everyday people eager for a cure to what ails them.

The Oldest Cure in the World is a smart narrative look at a very hot topic, offering a fascinating look at the science behind the counterintuitive concept of going without food for our health, and chronicling the author’s own illuminating and entertaining forays into fasting.

©2022 Steve Hendricks (P)2022 Podium Audio

Fascinating book, one of a kind

Excellent storytelling from a master of his craft. The author turned his cover story for Harper’s in 2010 into this book. Erudite, yet accessible, it’s a tale worth reading/hearing if you have an interest in personal health, nutrition, and non-traditional medical curatives.

The reader does a fine job as well. I’ll have to keep an eye out for him.

A note to the producers: please mind the sibilance.

Great Information

Loved the history of fasting. Author’s turn of phrase and story telling made this a very enjoyable listen!

Awesome book!

Thoroughly enjoyed this informative, amusing story. The author's word choice and writing style were entertaining and kept the listener enthralled. I highly recommend to those already fasting daily like me as well as to those who have no information or inclination on the subject.

Absolutely Fantastic!!!

Listen to this book if you want to learn the truth about how our amazing bodies can heal.

As Good As It Can Be

This was one of the best non-fiction health books I have ever read/listened to. I really enjoyed the stories, personal experiences of the author, and the research all in one. The narration was really good. If you’re interested in the subject of fasting, this is the perfect book for you.

Best mentor during your next fast

I was planning to do a long fast but wanted a little support to put me in mood without spending thousands of euros in retreats. I couldn’t find a better mentor than this book.

The book became my friend during my fast. Explained to me the history, shared amazing stories, and dived into science of fasting in a very personable and often funny way.

I love it. Hope you too.

Excellent perspective of healthcare today

Excellent historical and overall perspective of fasting along with the health crises today. As a health care provider I have been very moved by the content and agree it is an area the requires more research.

Evidence of Fasting Benefits Comoelling

I first read Hendricks article years ago, and had over the years read about scientific support for the medicinal benefits of fasting. I was happy to discover he had expanded that article into a book. His research is meticulous. His recitation of fasting history gets a bit tedious but his first experiences at two fasting clinics, one in Europe and one in California are well-written and compelling. His condemnation of the institutional medical profession’s near total rejection of the medicinal benefits of fasting is non-hysterical, evidence-based, and reasoned. It is ever so clear that so-called modern medicine has been overwhelmed by some marvelous in-roads made by pharmaceuticals and now is so completely beholding to the money of BigPharma that it cannot, or refuses to, see alternative cures and remedies is science-based non-pharmaceutical fasting.
This book is well-worth the read. The author is a skilled journalist and writer, who convincingly argues that serious illness may be cured by fasting but only under guidance of skilled medical professionals - this is not to be done at home on your own.
We need our doctors to be more opened minded and our medical schools - who teaches nothing about diet and even less about fasting - to get with the science!!

Fantastic Information and Well Researched

This was an amazing book and the author should be commended for his detail and also for his skill in telling the story that he is providing in this book. I am grateful for the information regarding fasting and its many benefits and look forward to improving my health through fasting.

Excellent overview of fasting history!!

The compelling narration ignites our interest to keep going. The well told tales add the right dose of storytelling while the studies and facts are cited and explained. A great and pleasant reading.