This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, Cozy Earth, Pendulum, and Sunlighten. Fasting is a powerful tool for longevity. Not only does it switch on our anti-aging genes, but it also activates the immune system, repairing damaged DNA and clearing away injured cells. It also promotes metabolic flexibility, mental clarity, and sustainable energy levels. Today, I talk with Cynthia Thurlow about how fasting works, identifying the type of fasting that is best for you, and special considerations for women interested in fasting. Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, author of the bestselling book Intermittent Fasting Transformation, a 2x TEDx speaker, with her second talk having more than 14 million views, and the host of the Everyday Wellness podcast, a consistent top iTunes podcast in Nutrition. With over 20 years of experience in health and wellness, Cynthia is a globally recognized expert in intermittent fasting and women’s health and has been featured on ABC, FOX5, KTLA, CW, Medium, Entrepreneur, and The Megyn Kelly Show. This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, Cozy Earth, Pendulum, and Sunlighten. Rupa Health is a place where Functional Medicine practitioners can access more than 2,000 specialty lab tests. Check out a free, live demo with a Q&A or create an account at RupaHealth.com. Get 40% off your Cozy Earth sheets at cozyearth.com with the code MARK40. Pendulum is offering my listeners 20% off their first month of an Akkermansia subscription with code HYMAN at Pendulumlife.com. Right now, save up to $600 on your Sunlighten purchase. Visit Sunlighten.com/mark-hyman and mention my name, Dr. Hyman. Here are more details from our interview (audio version / Apple Subscriber version): Types of fasting practices and which one is best for you (5:44 / 3:07)  Two things everyone can do to dramatically improve their health (11:53 / 9:00)  How to start fasting and when you should not fast (22:45 / 18:56)  The mechanisms of fasting (28:25 / 24:00)  Who should not fast (33:04 / 29:10)  Cynthia’s journey to healing her autoimmune disease (37:11 / 33:16)  Balancing a fasting practice with muscle maintenance (39:55 / 36:00)  Post-menopausal women and hormone therapy (43:17 / 39:30)  Improving your sleep (1:00:40 / 56:50)  Learn more about Cynthia at cynthiathurlow.com. Get a copy of her book, Intermittent Fasting Transformation. Join the waitlist for her IF:45 Program here. For research mentioned in this episode, please visit the Show Notes section for this episode at drhyman.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices