Fasting Cure

by Upton Sinclair

Upton Sinclair was not only a prolifc and much admired author, but also a follower of Bernarr MacFadden's Physical Culture movement (see his Physical Culture Cook Book, 1901) and a member of the editorial staff of Physical Culture Magazine. Dedicated to MacFadden, this 1911 volume advocates the benefits of systematic fasting in producing long-lasting health benefits.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Nutrition, Science, Diets, Audiobook, Medicine

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1911

About the author

Upton Beall Sinclair, Jr. was an American author who wrote close to one hundred books in many genres. He achieved popularity in the first half of the twentieth century, acquiring particular fame for his classic muckraking novel, The Jungle (1906). To gather information for the novel, Sinclair spent seven weeks undercover working in the meat packing plants of Chicago. These direct experiences exposed the horrific conditions in the U.S. meat packing industry, causing a public uproar that contributed in part to the passage a few months later of the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act. The Jungle has remained continuously in print since its initial publication. In 1919, he published The Brass Check, a muckraking exposé of American journalism that publicized the issue of yellow journalism and the limitations of the “free press” in the United States. Four years after the initial publication of The Brass Check, the first code of ethics for journalists was created. Time magazine called him "a man with every gift except humor and silence." In 1943, he won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Sinclair also ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a Socialist, and was the Democratic Party nominee for Governor of California in 1934, though his highly progressive campaign was defeated.

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update 26 April2024: I have also been reading about gut bacteria and gut microbiome in recent years and it seems scientists are saying that there are more of our gut bacteria than our body cells and that in many ways, these gut bacteria determine our physical as well as brain health eg affects moods. From my own experience, I know that food can affect how I feel and my mood. And I like the explanation that if we keep feeding our good gut bacteria with the food that they need (fibre), they will keep growing and when they are hungry, they will make it know. So if there are lots of them, you will keeping wanting to eat fruits and vegetables. The reverse is true - if we keep feeding those gut bacteria that feed on sugar, can you imagine when they grow in number and they get hungry, what signal do they send your brain? I know this is not directly related to fasting, but it is related to it in some way too because fasting affects our insulin levels and increase our insulin sensitivity. But it also allows our gut to rest. And that is good.

In a way, Sinclair was ahead of his time (this book was written in 1911). However, the extended fasts of 2 weeks or more advocated by him seems quite radical.

But even if you are not into such a radical overhaul of your health, this book still makes for interesting reading due to the many positive testimonials that he had received from readers who went on the same route. And a lesson that the reader can draw from this is the importance of caring for the digestive system, and not tax it too much with overeating and unhealthy foods.

What I would like to add to this book is that ancient yogic wisdom advocates the importance of caring for the digestive system as many human diseases arise out of a dysfunctional digestive system - indigestion, ulcers, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, constipation, piles. The brain and the digestive system consume the most energy in the human body, so if the mind is relaxed and the digestive system has less work, energy is released to better care for the rest of the body. Eating prudently, lightly, and mindfully does have enormous benefits for health.

From the perspective of science, the brain and the digestive system are intimately linked by the vagus nerve which connects the brain directly to the stomach. This ancient but direct brain-gut connection allows brain to easily tell the digestive system to vomit or excrete during times of danger, as an empty stomach makes it easier to respond to a fight or flight situation. It is no wonder that anxiety can cause stomach upsets very quickly.

Therefore, if you are desperate, and want to try an extended fast to overhaul your health, read this to see how others who have gone on this path did it. But check in with your doctor too. Otherwise, for most of us, simply eat lightly, eat fresh foods, eat more fruits and vegetables and do short fasts as needed.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess I am into reading turn of the century books about fasting.

Upton Sinclair, author of The Jungle (and around 100 other books), performed many dietetic experiments on himself, including being a raw-food vegan for 3 years (Although he liked how he felt and how little time it took to prepare meals, he stopped when it wasn't giving him the energy he needed to write for 18 hours a day). This book is a compilation of articles that he published about his experiences with fasting and many letters from readers about their own fasts. It does appear that fasting ~2 weeks can be the cure for many dietary related illnesses and maladies, and can push the reset button on poor eating habits. Contemporary stories that I've heard agree.

[يـٰس قرقوم · Rating 4 out of 5]

Few months ago, I interested about (intermittent fasting) I read much about it, and watched alot of videos.. Finally I tried it for almost a month (before ramadan) and I had a great results!

This book contain a lot of people expirment who tried the fasting as a cure for several days, and they noticed that a lot of chronic diseases (as inflammations) had disabeared.

Inspirational book.

[Marjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is quite good an an introduction to fasting, but one should get on board of more recent discoveries and research as well.

[Saad Rehman Shah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a very valuable read. In an age, in which the only affliction we have is caused by overeating, and in which hunger is seen as something scary and detestable, this book offers a very fresh perspective. That hunger is comfortable, and is as important for growth and health as nourishment and sustenance. It talks about an era in which people considered losing weight as a sign of weakness, and wanted to gain weight to be healthy, in which people wanted color in their cheeks and spring in their step. Mainly, this book also recounts numerous stories of people fasting, in old age too, to get rid of the diseases. The author makes no claims of scientific authority, he simply explains what he did, and what he advised others to do, and their results, good or bad. And invited the readers to do their own experiments. In an age when we're told "Do this, not that" this kind of narrative is very refreshing, to say the least. 50 pages are enough to get anyone interested in "The Fasting Cure" for all diseases, after all, Hippocrates said, "Everyone has a physician inside him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food. But to eat when you are sick is to feed your sickness."

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

He believes that fasting cures a lot of illnesses and that the reason some people didn't experience a cure was because their fast was shorter than 7 days. From his description, those extended fasts put a person in starvation mode, and their gaunt appearance alarms people around them.

"I believe that when the glad tidings of its miracles have reached the people it will lead to the throwing of 90 per cent of our present materia medica into the wastebasket." (Page 25)

We may have replaced 90% of the medical knowledge and practice in the 100 odd years since it was written, but another century will likely find another 90% change is medical belief and practice. There is still an awfully lot that we don't know.

"Following is the complete list of diseases benefited — 45 of the cases having been diagnosed by physicians: indigestion (usually associated with nervousness), 27; rheumatism, 5; colds, 8; tuberculosis, 4; constipation, 14; poor circulation, 3; headaches, 5; anemia, 3; scrofula, 1; bronchial trouble, 5; syphilis, 1; liver trouble, 5; general debility, 5; chills and fever, 1; blood poisoning, 1; ulcerated leg, 1; neurasthenia, 6; locomotor ataxia, 1; sciatica, 1; asthma, 2; excess of uric acid, 1; epilepsy, 1; pleurisy, 1; impaction of bowels, I; eczema, 2; catarrh, 6; appendicitis, 3; valvular disease of heart, 1; insomnia, 1; gas poisoning, 1; grippe, 1; cancer, 1." (Page 56)

For some of those diseases, I can imagine a mechanism by which fasting might effect a cure. For others? I recall that I was once acquainted with a David Taysum, a cancer researcher, who said if he ever got cancer he would totally eliminate vitamin C from his diet because cells, including cancer cells can't divide without vitamin C. He had conducted experiments upon mice (or was it rats), who lived to a normal life expectancy on the vitamin C free diet. He said he could recover from scurvy a lot of times. Perhaps scurvy would be less debilitating than chemotherapy. It would also be less expensive. For years I watched the literature to see if anyone else would advocate that tactic. I never saw a peep.

Some foods "should never be used, and that those who use them can never be as well as they would be without them. Such foods are all that contain alcohol or vinegar; all that contain cane sugar; all that contain white flour in any one of its thousand alluring forms of bread, crackers, pie, cake, and puddings; and all foods that have been fried — by which I mean cooked with grease, whether that grease be lard, or butter, or eggs or milk. It is my conviction that one should bar these things at the outset, and admit of no exceptions." (Page 75)

He went through a lot of diets, and found that what works for one person might not work for another. What worked for him at one time didn't work later on.

He experienced, and other people taking his advice experienced large weight swings both up and down. Current medical knowledge says that weight swings up and down are not healthy.

Many of the letters from people included in this book, learned of his recommendations from an article he wrote "Starving for Health's Sake," in the Cosmopolitan magazine probably early 1910. Another article of his was "The Truth about Fasting" in August 1910 Physical Culture. Both of those articles came out not long before this book was published in 1911. The book sold well. (That seems so similar to today's practice of authors making the rounds in magazine and podcasts drumming up support for their new book.)

It is interesting to read how differently disease was described 100 years ago, and especially the total lack of consensus on the proper treatment. Hmm, We don't have much consensus nowadays either. Although the words for common diseases are not the same, yet I notice that the approach of those who don't find conventional medicine satisfying, is much the same today as it was then. Perhaps the world hasn't change that much after all.

[Patz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would advise those who are interested in science of fasting, to not read this book. The whole book is based on the experience of the author himself and others who wrote to him. The book lacks any scientific basis and is merely a collection of pseudoscientific facts and beliefs.
That said; I am a big fan of fasting as a tool for good health. However, this book could not in any way help me increase my knowledge on the subject. I also found certain things that are misguiding (for example, on how to correctly break a fast).

[Adi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in intermittent fasting. This book was written before a lot of studies were done on it, and shows that many people can benefit from it. At the end of the book there are testimonial letters that show people’s first hand experiences. It even has a mention of the carnivore diet which was really cool. Obviously some things have changed but it seems like Upton Sinclair was onto something! Quick read.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was really interesting to read a book by Upton Sinclair about fasting. He got interested in fasting as a cure for various illnesses about 1902. It's fascinating to read testimonials of people that read about his fasting experiences and followed his fasting cure methodology. I find it really interesting that fasting and intermittent fasting is a popular approach for many health remedies today. Some natural cures come in and out of popularity....like fashion! I agree that fasting can have cleansing, curative, even spiritual benefits. I'm not sure I could fast for 20, 30, 50 or more days like some of the people in this book. I also like Sinclair's reference to his book, the Jungle.

[Michael Engel · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a rah, rah, rah book and less of a guide. Decent book, but left me wanting more detail.

[Marco · Rating 5 out of 5]

very motivating if you want to get in to fasting

[Renato Pires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I illustrates a lot of cure examples using fasting in 1910! Shame of medicine for not using fasting 100 years later... Only remedies... 😢

[S. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Fasting Cure is a reprint of two articles written by Upton Sinclair in 1910 for Cosmopolitan Magazine magazine about his personal experience and championing of fasting as a natural cure-all. Sinclair was exceedingly open-minded towards advances in holistic medicine - he was a customer and advocate of John Harvey Kellogg's infamous Battle Creek Sanitarium - not surprising for a man who also experimented with telepathy and even built his own whites-only socialist utopia (it burned down under mysterious circumstances after just one year). Far from a medical treatise, the majority of The Fasting Cure is comprised of Sinclair's anecdotal experiences experimenting with fasting as a cure for his own physical ailments, and success stories from people who successfully followed his example. In between the reader letters and Sinclair-centric testimonial he briefly tackles the "science" behind fasting as a cure-all in very basic terms - bacteria in the gut causes all forms of illness, apparently - with the occasional name-drop of medical pioneers like Kellogg. Slightly reminiscent of Aldous Huxley's experimentation with LSD, The Fasting Cure is a great example of how some of our greatest literary minds were shaped by their innovative and adventurous embrace of fringe ideas and theories. An interesting read, but you might want to seek medical advice from a physician before contemplating a sixty or ninety day fast to treat your colon cancer.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been practicing intermittent fasting for a few months now, and recently decided to take it up a notch with more 24 hour fasts in my weekly regimen. In doing some background reading I was startled to learn that Upton Sinclair, famous chiefly for accidentally terrifying the American public about their meat with The Jungle, had also written a 'book' on fasting. This is less a book and more of a long essay with a generous appendix, however. Sinclair argues that prolonged fasts are a cure for virtually every bodily ailment, including deafness and cancer. He makes one exception, however: tuberculosis. Although Sinclair's belief in the restorative nature of fasts is extreme

[Li Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book that provides copious examples of people including his family who benefit tremendously from fasting. I appreciate the key points Upton laid out - to my amazement, he lived to 90!

1. Everyone has his/her own preference of diet, there's no one fits all type.
2. You can live without food for 30+ days. A 3-day or 5-day fasting is considered a 'short period' diet.
3. You should drink a glass of water (preferably hot water) every hour or even every half hour during fasting.
4. You should not treat fasting as a lifestyle as if you do it often, that means you need to change your diet fundamentally.
5. You should not limit yourself to certain types of food, but you should be open to trying different kinds of wholesome food and find what serves the best for you. Generally speaking, quality meat is good for brian workers.

I didn't give it 5 stars since it has limited scientific proof in this book. What he did so well was to provide the nitty-gritty details on how he experienced and witnessed the transformation effect on him, his family, and a lot of his readers (277 total counts).

[Sergio Orozco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ayuno prolongado es algo nuevo? No! Este libro demuestra que tiene más de 100 años

Increíble que hayan pasado más de cien años desde que se demostró con tantos casos de éxito los maravillosos beneficios del ayuno prolongado contra los daños de las medicinas tradicionales y no sea ya una práctica común. Y pensar que cuando uno lee las nuevas investigaciones e impulsos que se le ha dado, pensaría que es algo muy novedoso. Definitivamente esta es una lectura obligada para todos aquellos interesados en el ayuno y en el sorprendente poder del cuerpo para auto sanarse de las llamadas enfermedades incurables a un costo menor a cero.
Si quieres ahorrar mucho tiempo y dinero en tu salud, empieza com este libro.

[Deva Uta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was published in 1911. Sinclair recommends books on the subject 40/30 years older. Fasting is not trendy but a recovered memory of our capabilities.

Sinclair was a pioneer, he recommends cold showers, vegetarian and raw vegan diet, daily exercise, and of course, fasting. All of that more than 100y ago! It was a pleasure to read about those who walk similar paths. Plus, his writing style is simple and enjoyable.

In this book, he most shares about prolonged fastings. Even though it is not a guide, I believe contemporary studies are way more appropriate when looking for guidance, this book inspired me to keep exploring my body.

[Jill Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a proponent of fasting - though only for 2-3 days - so I’m very interested in his adoption of this method so long ago. He has some very sound ideas, not only for his time but also as we learn more about fasting 100 years later. But really... fasting to cure syphilis???
I had to knock a star off because some of what he says just makes him sound like a suburban housewife trying every new diet under the sun. (As one of those suburban housewives I recognize the signs. 🙄) I don’t know that I agree with breaking a fast with shredded wheat and fruit juices...

[Dr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again capitalism has proven to be the fatal disease of the world. If you want cure what ales you then look into yourself. If you want to prolong your suffering and hand your money over to an already obese failure of money and greed then see a doctor and join the RX train to death. This book is over 100 years old. Yet our nation is in the poorest of health and only getting worse. The man is killing us so he can get ever last penny in his account before the planet completely collapses.

[Don Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Upton Sinclair may have been one of his era’s chief muckrakers, but who knew he was an early adherent of fasting? What interested me most about this tiny book was the language used by Americans at the turn of the 20th century. They had the same insecurities about their weight that we do today. I was happy to discover that so many were able to heal themselves by fasting.

[eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starvation consists in denying food,
either by accident or design, to a sys-
tem clamouring for sustenance.
Fasting consists in intentional ab-
stinence from food by a system non-
desirous of sustenance until it is rested, cleansed, and ready for the task
of digestion. Food is then supplied.

Jamás pensarían que alto tan simple fuera tan controversial.

[SoTired · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting read on early fasting ideas. He has multiple references to Dr Hazzard who would starve her patients to death in order to steal their assets.

Not recommended if you are interested in learning about intermittent fasting. These ideas are pretty extreme.

[Ankur Meshram · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a very basic book, but what I liked is that it encourages one to experiment.

[Brian Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated sentence style, but very informative, especially with all the hype about fasting these days.

[Penn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite interesting and well-written.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book, I have given this book to my family to convince them I’m not anorexic!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing what we knew 100 years ago which subsequently was systematically unlearned. Shame on the American Medical Association!

[Mirian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned alot.

[Mona Helal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fasting method is not suitable for me.

[Ramesh Kumar]

Sort of Bible for those who want to cure their diseases by fasting and no medicines.
Excellent to read as a story