How Fasting Wakes Up Your Growth Hormone (and Slows the March of Time)

The quick scan: Markets rebounded on Tuesday, snapping a two-day losing streak as investors rotated back into tech and consumer names ahead of the Fed’s policy meeting.

• S&P 500: rose 0.6% to 6,611.54 — reclaiming ground lost earlier in the week.

• Dow Jones: climbed 0.4% to 46,205.87 — financials and industrials saw broad buying.

• Nasdaq: gained 0.8% to 22,133.41 — mega-cap tech stocks led the charge after recent profit-taking.

What’s driving it: Bond yields eased slightly, giving relief to growth stocks, while upbeat corporate earnings guidance from several consumer and tech firms lifted sentiment. Traders are positioning cautiously ahead of next week’s Fed decision, with futures still pricing in the start of rate cuts as early as November.

Bottom line: For L-Plate Retirees, Tuesday’s bounce shows how quickly sentiment can flip on whispers and positioning. Stay steady and zoom out—these short-term swings are just noise in your long-term signal.

The Hormonal Plot Twist Behind Fasting 

The scoop: Remember Sunday’s Weekend Musing where we explored running a marathon on empty? (If you missed it, I talked about “hitting the wall” and how the body eventually switches from carbs to fat as its fuel.)

Here’s the twist I left out: when your body starts running on fumes… it also starts producing more human growth hormone (HGH). And that’s a big deal.

HGH is like your in-house youth serum. It keeps your muscles firm, your bones sturdy, and your tissues repairing like you’re still in your 20s. The catch? As we age, HGH production slows to a dribble—and that’s when the soft bits start winning.

But fasting flips that script. The moment you stop eating, insulin levels plunge. And when insulin steps aside, HGH struts back onto the stage. According to DietDoctor, after 24 hours of fasting, HGH can double or triple. Stick it out for 48 hours, and you could see a five-fold increase. That’s your body saying, “Okay, no fuel incoming—time to burn fat, preserve muscle, and clean house.”

It’s a rare combo: usually, when you lose fat, you risk losing muscle too. Fasting gives you the opposite—burning fat while hanging onto muscle. It’s like having your (non-existent) cake and eating it too.

Of course, HGH isn’t a magic bullet. Think of it more as the spark plug. If you don’t give your body protein on eating days or a reason to keep your muscles (hello, strength training), HGH can’t do its job. And longer fasts? They supercharge HGH, but they need a plan—especially if you’re older, lower on body fat, or managing health conditions.

Also, let’s bust a myth: boosting HGH with fasting isn’t like taking synthetic growth hormone. No needles, no risky side effects. Just your body doing what it’s designed to do when you stop distracting it with snacks every two hours.

And the benefits go beyond HGH: fasting lowers insulin, improves metabolic flexibility, reduces inflammation, and even triggers autophagy—a cellular clean-up crew that helps slow aging from the inside out. Think of it as spring cleaning for your cells.

So yes, going without food for a while might sound counterintuitive… but it might also be the most natural thing you can do to stay strong, sharp, and just a little more timeless.

Actionable Takeaways for L-Plate Retirees:

• Start with 16:8 fasting before leaping to 24+ hour fasts

• Eat enough protein on your eating days (your muscles will thank you)

• Pair fasting days with strength training for the best muscle-sparing boost

• Listen to your body—fatigue, poor recovery or cranky joints are red flags

• Check in with your doctor before attempting multi-day fasts, especially if you’re on medication or have metabolic conditions

Your Turn:
I’d love to hear how this lands with you:
After Sunday’s chat on fasting and fuel, would you consider trying a fast to see what it does for your energy and muscle?
How do you feel about the idea that fasting could help slow aging? Too good to be true—or worth a shot?
What would make fasting feel “safe enough” for you to try it?

👉 Hit reply and share your thoughts — your answers could inspire fellow readers in future issues.