The Science of Fasting Without Fasting — With Mimio Health CEO Dr. Chris Rhodes

Introduction: Can You Get Fasting Benefits Without Actually Fasting?

Fasting has become one of the most powerful tools for fat loss, longevity, and metabolic health.
But let’s be real — fasting for 24–36 hours isn’t always practical. Some people feel great during long fasts, others feel drained, foggy, or unfocused.

So the real question is:

Can you trigger the same fat-burning and cellular repair pathways of fasting without skipping meals?

In this episode of The Jamin Show, I sat down with Dr. Chris Rhodes, PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry and CEO of Mimio Health, to dive deep into the science behind fasting, metabolism, fat loss, and the new category of fasting mimetics — supplements designed to mimic the effects of a long fast.

This blog breaks down the most important takeaways from our conversation, backed by direct quotes from the episode. Click Here To Listen To The Podcast Episode

What Happens to Your Body During Fasting?

The 36-Hour Fast: Where the Magic Happens

During his PhD research, Dr. Rhodes studied how the body changes after a 36-hour fast. Here’s what he discovered:

A unique set of molecules is produced only during a long fast, and these molecules activate key pathways like autophagy, fat-burning, and cellular repair.

These molecules include:

• Nicotinamide — activates NAD+/sirtuin repair pathways

• Spermidine — boosts autophagy (your body’s “clean-up” system)

• PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) — improves mood, inflammation, and cognition

• OEA (Oleoylethanolamide) — suppresses appetite + increases fat burning (PPAR-α activation)

These compounds are barely present during normal eating or short fasts.

How Mimio Mimics Fasting (Without Skipping Meals)

Mimicking the Fasted State at the Cellular Level

Dr. Rhodes explained Mimio like this:

“We took the molecules your body produces during a fast and put them into a daily pill so you can activate those same pathways without fasting.”

When you take Mimio with your breakfast, lunch, or dinner, here’s what happens:

• Nicotinamide → Signals the body to behave like it’s fasting

• Spermidine → Helps remove cellular “junk” and renew cells

• PEA ( Palmitoylethanolamide) → Reduces inflammation and improves stress recovery

• OEA (Oleoylethanolamide) → Increases satiety and enhances fat oxidation

These aren’t random ingredients — they are the exact molecules the body produces during a long fast.

Fasting and Fat Loss: Why People Plateau

1. Extreme Calorie Cutting Breaks More Muscle Than Fat

Dr. Rhodes explained that people who cut calories too hard end up burning muscle:

“Your body breaks down the most energetically costly tissue first — usually muscle.”

Lose muscle → metabolism slows → fat loss stalls.

This is why many people feel like they’re “eating nothing” but still not losing weight.

2. Strength Training Is Essential for Sustainable Weight Loss

“If you’re not lifting, the weight you lose will come from the wrong places.”

Gaining lean muscle:

• Raises metabolic rate

• Reverses plateaus

• Prevents the “skinny-fat” look

• Keeps long-term fat loss sustainable

This perfectly aligns with the core of my coaching philosophy.

3. Why Mimio Helps During Calorie Deficits

OEA — one of Mimio’s active molecules — helps keep weight loss coming primarily from fat:

“OEA helps shift metabolism from glucose to fat, so weight loss comes more from fat instead of muscle.”

It also:

• Suppresses appetite

• Reduces cravings

• Helps people stick to their plan

• Supports cleaner energy during dieting

Why Eating Clean Isn’t Enough

Even if you’re eating clean, intermittent fasting, or in a calorie deficit, you still may not reach the deeper 36-hour fasting benefits.

Rhodes said:

“A 16-hour fast isn’t enough. A 24-hour fast isn’t enough. These molecules only elevate during a 36-hour fast.”

Meaning:
If you want the cellular repair, longevity, and fat-burning benefits — you’d have to fast much longer than most people can handle.

That’s where Mimio comes in:

“You can use it to get 36-hour fasting benefits in a much shorter timeframe.”

Mimio vs. Ozempic & GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs

This part of the conversation shocked me.

According to clinical data referenced by Dr. Rhodes:

• GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Wegovy, etc.) help people lose 6–12% body weight over 6–18 months

• OEA (the molecule in Mimio) has shown up to 12% body weight reduction in just 12 weeks

He also said:

“We have clinics using Mimio to help wean people off GLP-1s because when they stop the drugs, cravings return immediately.”

So… Should You Try Mimio?

Here’s the truth:

• Mimio is not a magic pill

• You still need strength training, good nutrition, protein, sleep, and movement

• But it can help activate the cellular repair and fat-burning pathways that usually require long fasts

It’s a tool — and for the right person, it can make dieting, fasting, and recovery more effective and more comfortable.

Key Takeaways

• Long fasts trigger powerful cellular repair and fat-burning pathways

• These benefits usually only happen after 36 hours

• Mimio delivers the same molecules produced during long fasts

• It helps suppress appetite, improve metabolism, and support fat loss

• Strength training remains the foundation of metabolic health

• Mimio can be used during dieting, fasting, or even normal eating to enhance results

Listen to the Full Episode

🎧 The Science of Fasting Without Fasting — with Dr. Chris Rhodes
Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and The Jamin Show.

References

1. Rhodes, C. (Podcast Guest). Discussion of fasting-induced metabolites and molecular pathways activated during a 36-hour fast.
2. Rhodes, C. Explanation of Mimio’s four active molecules (Nicotinamide, Spermidine, PEA, OEA) and how they mimic fasting at the cellular level.
3. Rhodes, C. Description of autophagy, cellular cleanup, and metabolic switching from glucose to fat during fasting and with OEA.
4. Rhodes, C. Discussion of appetite suppression and satiety effects of OEA, including personal experience with reduced appetite.
5. Rhodes, C. Explanation of why clean eating or short fasting windows (16–24 hours) do not produce the same molecules elevated during a 36-hour fast.
6. Rhodes, C. Breakdown of calorie restriction, metabolic adaptation, muscle loss, and the importance of resistance training for sustaining metabolic rate.
7. Rhodes, C. Explanation of how strength training increases metabolic rate and prevents fat-loss plateaus.
8. Rhodes, C. Discussion of OEA’s role in shifting metabolism toward fat-burning during calorie deficits and fasting.
9. Rhodes, C. Comparison of Mimio/OEA with GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic/Wegovy) and clinical outcomes related to appetite, cravings, and weight loss percentages.