Comments on: The Salerno 4-Week Fat Fast: Is This Very High-Fat, Low-Carb Plan A Long-Term Weight Loss Solution?

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:49:12 +0000

Jimmy, It has been almost a year since you posted this topic. I am curious to see if you have followed up with Dr. Salerno to see how his patients did well after the 4 week period.

Great comment, Amanda, and it just so happens I have a follow-up interview to share with Dr. Salerno featuring his new SILVER CLOUD DIET plan coming up on my podcast show on December 10, 2009. Hope you can hear it!

–Jimmy

By: Patricia

Patricia — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 08:01:40 +0000

I don’t see any problem with it. Carbohydrates simply aren’t needed in our diet, yet we find any excuse to add them in like a smoker who convinces themselves they’ve “quit” because they only smoke a few cigarettes a week. I’d much rather see someone replace carbs with fat than the reverse which I see quite often in the low carb community. Fat is essential to health, carbohydrates are not.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:57:21 +0000

I think that once one learns how to maintain their weight that taking an extreme measure to reduce their weight, especially if they’re stalled, isn’t a bad idea.

I’ve done a fantastic job of maintaining my weight on a low carb diet, but I just can’t seem to lose any longer and I’m stuck at a weight that really is higher than it should be.

I’m definitely considering something extreme to get that some of this remaining weight off.

If you haven’t learned how to maintain or haven’t really adjusted to low carb eating then I don’t think it is a good idea. But I’ve been low carb (Paleo-ish) for 5 years now and I think I have it down pat.

I can see a veteran low-carber doing this, but it concerns me about newbies doing it.

–Jimmy

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:20:07 +0000

To me it sounded like he tried it on those patients that were too insulin resistant for the ordinary Atkins diet to work. And he also said that they responded better to carbohydrates (although they are few) after these 2-4 weeks. So I don’t see why this is not a long-term solution.

Being shortly on starvation mode is perhaps not bad either. Steven Gundry thinks we should do that more often.

It’s a curious concept, Tim! My concern is how do they transition from the “starvation” mode of 1,000 calories (and even lower) a day of a very high-fat diet to regular low-carb after the four weeks?

–Jimmy

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:24:36 +0000

I don’t think you would lose your hair or teeth – its not low fat and its for a short period of time.
Maybe for some 4 weeks may be too long – cut it down to 2 weeks. I don’t think you would be hungry once you are well into it. Its a really good start.
Its no different to going zero carb but with calorie restriction.

By: Lora

Lora — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:06:55 +0000

I thought I would share with your readers my experience on the modified fat fast.

On October 20, 2008, I joined a group of ladies on LowCarbFriends on the Egg/Protein Fat Fast thread. I never was able to have a successful induction and thought this would be a good idea to at least become familiar with a low-carb plan. I lost 9lbs. in 4/5 days! I couldn’t believe it! I had to retrieve my glasses. (Analog scale by the way). I stepped on it several times. Heck, I even woke up my boyfriend for a second look!

I’m not saying what I’ve been doing over the past couple of months is perfect. There have been a few tense moments involving homemade bread and pizza. Yet, I was still able to maintain my weight loss and in fact, losing inches from my waistline. Going sweet-free has helped me burn even more fat, too.

Please note: I did not consume red meat, nuts, or cream.
I ate a few ounces of feta, bleu, or mozzarella cheese, here and there, but basically staying away from it. My taste-buds love cheese but my stomach rebelled!

Take care,

Lora