The Dr. Josh Axe Show

Fasting is one of the most powerful healing practices in human history—it’s free, requires zero equipment, and your body is literally designed for it. But while it sounds simple, there is a wrong way to do it, especially when it comes to the hormonal "engine switch" that happens in the first 24 hours. In this episode, I walk you through exactly what happens in your body during a 3-day fast, from clearing out "zombie cells" to the 60% drop in aging markers.

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Watch The Dr. Josh Axe Show every Monday & Thursday on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjoshaxe?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠ 

🎧 Early Access!

Our podcast listeners get every episode early, and you can tune in and be a part of our exclusive listeners below → 

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Order my NEW BOOK, The Biblio Diet → ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4oPEP3t⁠⁠

Watch my free training on how to naturally balance your blood sugar and reverse your symptoms → ⁠⁠DrAxeDiabetesClass.com⁠⁠ 

Discover practical steps you can take today to start healing your thyroid naturally → ⁠⁠DrAxeThyroidClass.com⁠⁠ 

If you’re ready to start feeling like yourself again and balance your hormones, take my free class → ⁠⁠DrAxeHormoneClass.com⁠⁠ 

Uncover what’s really going on in your body with advanced biomarker testing for hormones, thyroid, and metabolism— plus a 1-hour consultation with a Senior Health Advisor! → ⁠⁠MyBloodWork.com⁠⁠ 

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Links:

Insulin drop during fasting: Molecular Metabolism — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7471620/
Glycogen storage: Cleveland Clinic — https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23509-glycogen
Ghrelin and meal timing: Diabetes Journal — https://diabetesjournals.org/diabetes/article-abstract/50/8/1714/
Growth hormone 14x study: Frontiers in Endocrinology — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11842881/
Ketones and brain energy: Annals of Medicine — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7877980/
Nobel Prize — Autophagy (Ohsumi): https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2016/press-release/
Insulin resistance prevalence: StatPearls / NCBI — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507839/
Immune stem cell reset: USC Valter Longo Lab — https://stemcell.keck.usc.edu/fasting-triggers-stem-cell-regeneration-of-damaged-old-immune-system/
Muscle loss during fasting: Nutrients — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9503095/
Food addiction data: Michigan Medicine — https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/1-8-americans-over-50-show-signs-food-addiction
The Didache (c. 100 AD): Chapter 8

DISCLAIMER

This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Axe nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
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I have spent decades helping patients heal through diet, exercise, and natural remedies, but there is one injury that supplements can't fix: emotional trauma. Whether it’s "Big T" trauma or the "Little t" trauma of chronic neglect, these emotional scars manifest as autoimmune disease, cancer, and hormone imbalances later in life. In this episode, psychoanalyst Erica Komisar joins me to explain why the first three years of life are the "critical period" for physical health and how we can heal the mind-body connection.

We explore the mechanics of the HPA Axis, focusing on the Amygdala (the stress "on" switch) and the Hippocampus (the "off" switch). Erica explains how early childhood stress can "burn out" the brain's ability to regulate cortisol, leading to a permanent state of survival mode. We also discuss the definition of Depression (preoccupation with past loss) versus Anxiety (preoccupation with future loss) and how both act as pathogens on the human immune system.

Watch The Dr. Josh Axe Show every Monday & Thursday on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjoshaxe?sub_confirmation=1⁠ 

🎧 Early Access!

Our podcast listeners get every episode early, and you can tune in and be a part of our exclusive listeners below → 

⁠Spotify⁠

⁠Apple Podcast⁠

Order my NEW BOOK, The Biblio Diet → ⁠https://bit.ly/4oPEP3t⁠

Watch my free training on how to naturally balance your blood sugar and reverse your symptoms → ⁠DrAxeDiabetesClass.com⁠ 

Discover practical steps you can take today to start healing your thyroid naturally → ⁠DrAxeThyroidClass.com⁠ 

If you’re ready to start feeling like yourself again and balance your hormones, take my free class → ⁠DrAxeHormoneClass.com⁠ 

Uncover what’s really going on in your body with advanced biomarker testing for hormones, thyroid, and metabolism— plus a 1-hour consultation with a Senior Health Advisor! → ⁠MyBloodWork.com⁠ 

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Being There

The Parent's Guide to Divorce

DISCLAIMER

This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Axe nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
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"Should I be on HRT?" is the number one question I'm asked today, especially since the FDA removed the cancer warning from many hormone products in late 2025. While hormone therapy can be a life-changing intervention for some, it is often a "band-aid" that ignores the foundational failure of nutritional deficiencies and chronic stress. In this episode, I share the protocols I use in my clinic to help men and women reclaim their libido, clear brain fog, and lose stubborn weight by honoring the body’s natural design.

We examine the critical difference between bioidentical hormones (structurally identical to the human body) and synthetic formulations that often come with higher risk profiles. Dr. Axe details the "Survival vs. Reproduction" hierarchy, explaining how high cortisol and insulin resistance act as the primary "thieves" of your sex hormones.

Drawing from ancient medical wisdom and modern clinical studies, we break down the Astrobolom (the gut's role in estrogen metabolism) and the use of Yin-boosting foods like duck eggs and yams to naturally "cool and moisten" the body to stop hot flashes. We also dive into the tactical use of peptides like Kisspeptin and BPC-157 to restore cellular communication between the brain and reproductive organs.

Sponsors:

Sunlighten Sauna: https://get.sunlighten.com/axepodcast
Manukora Manuka Honey: https://manukora.com/axe
Caraway Home: carawayhome.com/drjoshaxe (Use code DRJOSHAXE) for an exclusive discount

Watch The Dr. Josh Axe Show every Monday & Thursday on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjoshaxe?sub_confirmation=1⁠ 

🎧 Early Access!

Our podcast listeners get every episode early, and you can tune in and be a part of our exclusive listeners below → 

⁠Spotify⁠

⁠Apple Podcast⁠

Order my NEW BOOK, The Biblio Diet → ⁠https://bit.ly/4oPEP3t⁠

Watch my free training on how to naturally balance your blood sugar and reverse your symptoms → ⁠DrAxeDiabetesClass.com⁠ 

Discover practical steps you can take today to start healing your thyroid naturally → ⁠DrAxeThyroidClass.com⁠ 

If you’re ready to start feeling like yourself again and balance your hormones, take my free class → ⁠DrAxeHormoneClass.com⁠ 

Uncover what’s really going on in your body with advanced biomarker testing for hormones, thyroid, and metabolism— plus a 1-hour consultation with a Senior Health Advisor! → ⁠MyBloodWork.com⁠ 

CONNECT WITH DR. JOSH AXE

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠Facebook⁠

⁠TikTok⁠

⁠X⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

⁠Website⁠

⁠Sign up for my newsletter⁠

⁠Ask me a question

DISCLAIMER

This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Axe nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

Links:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1126376/#:~:text=Among%20their%20findings%20was%20that%20the%20risk,cases%2C%20and%20its%20incidence%20has%20increased%20by

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12511246/#:~:text=The%20risk%20of%20atherosclerotic%20heart,a%20person%2Dcentered%20risk%20assessment
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Millions of people are stuck managing symptoms with medications, but what if there’s a better way to support your body’s healing systems naturally? Dr. David Jockers joins Dr. Josh Axe to share practical “Green Pharmacy” swaps, while breaking down the nutrition myths and supplement mistakes that may be holding you back. Plus, discover why your cellular energy and mitochondria play a critical role in hormone balance, metabolism, and overall vitality.

Watch The Dr. Josh Axe Show every Monday & Thursday on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjoshaxe?sub_confirmation=1 

🎧 Early Access!

Our podcast listeners get every episode early, and you can tune in and be a part of our exclusive listeners below → 

Spotify

Apple Podcast

Order my NEW BOOK, The Biblio Diet → https://bit.ly/4oPEP3t

Watch my free training on how to naturally balance your blood sugar and reverse your symptoms → DrAxeDiabetesClass.com 

Discover practical steps you can take today to start healing your thyroid naturally → DrAxeThyroidClass.com 

If you’re ready to start feeling like yourself again and balance your hormones, take my free class → DrAxeHormoneClass.com 

Uncover what’s really going on in your body with advanced biomarker testing for hormones, thyroid, and metabolism— plus a 1-hour consultation with a Senior Health Advisor! → MyBloodWork.com 

CONNECT WITH DR. JOSH AXE

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Facebook

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Website

Sign up for my newsletter

Ask me a question

CONNECT WITH DR. DAVID JOCKERS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjockers/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDavidJockers/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doctorjockers

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Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-jockers-functional-nutrition/id1497791107

Book: https://a.co/d/0clLjSW7

DISCLAIMER

This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Axe nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

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Are you constantly praised for your productivity but feel guilty when you rest? This video explores the struggle with chronic stress and high cortisol symptoms, highlighting the cultural pressure to always be busy. Discover how to achieve better work life balance and find true stress relief, contributing to overall holistic health and wellness. It's time to manage stress effectively and prevent burnout.

Thank you to our sponsors!
Sunlighten Sauna: https://get.sunlighten.com/axepodcast
Manukora Manuka Honey: https://manukora.com/axe

Watch The Dr. Josh Axe Show every Monday & Thursday on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjoshaxe?sub_confirmation=1

🎧 Early Access!
Our listeners enjoy every episode before anyone else! Tune in below and join our exclusive group of listeners →
Spotify: https://bit.ly/DrJoshAxeSpotify
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3JDvWcS

Order my NEW BOOK, The Biblio Diet → https://bit.ly/4oPEP3t

Watch my free training on how to naturally balance your blood sugar and reverse your symptoms → http://DrAxeDiabetesClass.com

Discover practical steps you can take today to start healing your thyroid naturally → http://DrAxeThyroidClass.com

If you’re ready to start feeling like yourself again and balance your hormones, take my free class → http://DrAxeHormoneClass.com

Uncover what’s really going on in your body with advanced biomarker testing for hormones, thyroid, and metabolism— plus a 1-hour consultation with a Senior Health Advisor! → http://mybloodwork.com

CONNECT WITH DR. JOSH AXE
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/drjoshaxe/
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TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedrjoshaxeshow/
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LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshaxe
Website → http://thehealthinstitute.com
Sign up for my newsletter → https://bit.ly/4oE9Jf3
Ask Dr. Axe → http://speakpipe.com/drjoshaxe

Timestamps:
0:00 — The Hustle Myth and Stress
3:46 — Defining the Cortisol Steal
7:29 — Protein, Fiber, and GLP-1
9:49 — Magnesium and Relaxation
10:45 — Ashwagandha: The 30% Fix
13:00 — Stopping the 3 AM Wakeup
14:40 — Case Study: Reversing High Stress
17:19 — The Pregnenolone Pathway
21:16 — The SHBG Trap and Free Testosterone
24:16 — Profile 1: The Anxious Type
26:25 — Profile 2: The Burnout Type
28:12 — Profile 3: The Mistimed Type
30:52 — The Sabbath and Recovery

Links

DISCLAIMER
This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Axe nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

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