The Oldest Cure in the World - by Steve Hendricks

About the Book

"Fasting has improved the lives of people with epilepsy, asthma, and arthritis, and has even protected patients from the worst of chemotherapy's side effects. But for such an elegant and effective treatment, fasting has had a surprisingly long and fraught history. From the earliest days of humanity and the Greek fathers of medicine through Christianity's 'fasting saints' and a nineteenth-century doctor whose stupendous forty-day fast on a New York City stage inaugurated the modern era of therapeutic fasting, Hendricks takes readers on a rich and comprehensive tour"--]cBook jacket.

Book Synopsis

Called "an illuminating exploration of the rich and varied history--and myriad health benefits--of fasting" by the Wall Street Journal, this book explores how intermittent fasting can set in motion cellular repairs that slow aging and prevent and even reverse diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

Journalist Steve Hendricks delves into the rich history and cutting-edge science behind fasting, an age-old remedy experiencing a dynamic resurgence. He takes readers on an enlightening tour from the earliest days of humanity through the Greek fathers of medicine, Christianity's "fasting saints," and a 19th-century doctor's 40-day fast on a New York City stage

Threaded throughout are Hendricks's own adventures in fasting, including stays at luxurious and spartan fasting clinics.

A playful, insightful, and persuasive exploration of when we should--and should not--feed our bodies, The Oldest Cure in the World is an entertaining read and an inspiration for those considering fasting as part of a healthy diet.

Review Quotes

"Few people know that science has shown fasting is a key that unlocks ancient restorative systems and mobilizes some of the body's most powerful regenerative mechanisms. In The Oldest Cure in the World, Steve Hendricks proves to be a master of explaining the multitude of benefits that various kinds of fasting can unleash. Fasting is a core part of my integrative cardiology practice. This book is a must-read for those looking for a long healthspan."

--Dr. Joel Kahn, author of Your Whole Heart Solution

"Hendricks's book is a remarkable blend of authoritative history, illuminating science, and endearing storytelling. In The Oldest Cure in the World, Hendricks gives us the wonders of fasting--too long neglected by doctors and scientists, too often misunderstood by most of us, yet so potent a therapy--with marvelous clarity, page-turning crispness, and appealing humanity."

--Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies

"Steve Hendricks set himself the Herculean task of weaving together the long history and deep science of fasting with his own revealing self-experiments--and has succeeded brilliantly in turning out a captivating tale. The Oldest Cure in the World is an engrossing tour de force and offers a bona fide strategy for slowing the aging process."

--Dan Buettner, New York Times-bestselling author of The Blue Zones

"[A] thought-provoking survey . . . The author weaves a fascinating personal narrative . . . with a comprehensive history of the practice, from prehistoric humans who fasted from necessity up to modern-day clinics that use it. While enthusiastic, Hendricks is careful not to oversell fasting's benefits . . . and he pulls no punches when highlighting flaws in research, as with studies that emphasize 'profit rather than health.' His levelheaded, irreverent approach and sharp reporting set the book apart. The result is a winning mix of captivating storytelling and fascinating science."
--Publishers Weekly

"A literary gem, with fantastic lines scattered like laugh-bombs throughout its pages. . . . What's especially joyful about this book is Steve's insistence on getting the science right. He argues against unsupported claims no matter where they come from: vegans, keto promoters, you name it. He doesn't overstate the power of fasting, noting that hype is one of the enemies of widespread acceptance by the scientific community. . . . Steve Hendricks is at least three things: a tenacious reporter, a brilliant and hilarious writer, and a truly good dude."--Howard Jacobson, Plant Yourself Podcast

"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."
--The Next Big Idea Club

"An illuminating exploration of the rich and varied history--and myriad health benefits--of fasting . . . Mr. Hendricks, a freelance reporter, is a deft stylist . . . and he excels at describing the experience of going without food . . ."
--The Wall Street Journal

"Fascinating . . . an important book."--Boulder Daily Camera

"I was blown away by this book. . . . There is so much information in this book that I had never even remotely, possibly, even briefly heard of. It's honestly mind blowing [and] a page turner. There were literally times my mouth dropped open. . . . Get the book, read it, read all of it."--Melanie Avalon, The Intermittent Fasting Podcast

About the Author

Steve Hendricks is a freelance reporter and the author of two previous books, one of which, The Unquiet Grave: The FBI and the Struggle for the Soul of Indian Country, made several best-of-the-year lists. He has written for Harper's, Outside, Slate, and the Washington Post and lives in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife, a professor of family law, and his dog, a border collie cross.