Fasting in Clinical Practice: The Science, Safety and Therapeutic Application of Fasting

This course...

is: an online live course

is for: nutritional therapy practitioners, nutritionists, dietitians, naturopaths, lifestyle medicine practitioners, pharmacists, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, as well as final-year nutrition students, who wish to develop an evidence-based understanding of fasting and its application in clinical practice. It is suitable for practitioners interested in functional and lifestyle medicine approaches to health, exploring how fasting influences metabolic and cellular function, and how fasting strategies can be safely and effectively integrated into personalised, person-centred care.

is led by: Layla Gordon

spans: 1 day

provides: ION CPD 5 hours [where a participant has been active on the webinar for 5 hours] , BANT CPD 5 hours, NNA CPD 5 hours (applied for)

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This evidence-based CPD explores the science, history and clinical application of fasting in nutritional therapy. Participants will examine different fasting approaches, the biological mechanisms underpinning their effects, and the latest research on metabolic health, autophagy and longevity. The course also provides practical guidance on safely implementing fasting strategies, including different intermittent fasting and fasting-mimicking diets, in clinical practice.

This course focuses on scientific evidence underpinning fasting and its role in supporting metabolic health, cellular resilience and healthy ageing.

It examines the different fasting approaches available, explores the biological mechanisms behind their effects, and critically evaluates the current research.

Participants will gain practical guidance on screening clients, understanding safety considerations, and confidently incorporating evidence-based fasting strategies, including alternate day fasting and fasting-mimicking diets, into nutritional therapy practice.

With increasing public interest in fasting, practitioners are often faced with conflicting information, varying fasting protocols and uncertainty around safety, contraindications and the strength of the evidence.

This course aims to equip nutritional therapists with a clear, evidence-based understanding of fasting, enabling them to critically evaluate the research, confidently advise clients, identify appropriate fasting strategies for different clinical scenarios, and safely integrate fasting, including fasting-mimicking diets, into professional practice.

This course will explore the history of fasting, its cultural and religious origins, and how it has evolved into a modern evidence-based therapeutic approach. It will compare the different types of fasting, including time-restricted eating, 5:2 fasting, prolonged fasting and fasting-mimicking diets, examining their benefits, limitations and safety considerations.
It will then explain the biological mechanisms that underpin fasting, including metabolic switching, insulin sensitivity, autophagy, nutrient-sensing pathways and healthy ageing, drawing on key research and leading scientists in the field.
Examples of the questions it will answer include: Which fasting approach is most appropriate for different clients? What does the evidence really say about autophagy and longevity? Is water-only fasting safe? How should nutritional therapists screen clients before recommending fasting? How can fasting be incorporated safely into clinical practice?
Finally, it will provide practical, evidence-based guidance on implementing fasting within nutritional therapy, including client selection, contraindications, monitoring, re-feeding and the use of fasting-mimicking diets as a structured, nutritionally supported clinical tool.

By the end of the course, you will be able to

• Critically evaluate the evidence behind different fasting approaches and confidently recommend the most appropriate strategy for individual clients based on their health goals, clinical presentation and contraindications.
• Explain the biological mechanisms of fasting, including metabolic switching, insulin sensitivity, autophagy and nutrient-sensing pathways, and communicate these concepts clearly to clients.
• Safely implement fasting protocols by identifying suitable candidates, recognizing contraindications, screening for potential risks and supporting appropriate preparation, monitoring and re-feeding.
• Apply the latest research on fasting, metabolic health and healthy ageing to develop evidence-based, personalised programmes that enhance client outcomes.
• Support clients with confidence throughout their fasting journey by managing expectations, overcoming common challenges, maintaining motivation and knowing when structured fasting-mimicking diets may be an appropriate clinical option.

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About the presenter:

Layla Gordon is a BANT registered nutritional therapist and educator for ION and the UK Lead for L-Nutra, where she supports healthcare professionals in the clinical application of fasting and fasting-mimicking diets. Layla has BA (Hons), from UWE, a DipION, mBANT, CNHC, from ION and a O.A. Dip. (Master Herbalist) from Online Academies

She has a specialist interest in metabolic health, longevity, healthy ageing and the therapeutic use of nutrition to prevent and manage chronic disease.
Alongside her busy clinical practice Layla Gordon Nutrition, Layla delivers education and training to nutrition professionals, helping practitioners translate the latest research into safe, evidence-based clinical practice.
She has extensive experience supporting clients with weight management, insulin resistance, cardiovascular health, gastrointestinal disorders and women's health, integrating personalised nutrition with lifestyle medicine approaches.
Layla works closely with healthcare professionals across the UK to increase understanding of fasting physiology and its practical application within nutritional therapy, working alongside Dorset Private GP Clinic in Poole.
Her teaching combines current scientific evidence with real-world clinical experience, providing practitioners with practical tools and confidence to implement fasting strategies safely and effectively in clinic.