The World Record Holder: Angus Barbieri's 382-Day Fast
While many people engage in shorter fasts for spiritual or health reasons, the record for the longest fast belongs to Angus Barbieri, a Scottish man who went without solid food for 382 days between 1965 and 1966. His fast was a therapeutic measure, undertaken to combat his severe obesity under strict medical supervision at the University of Dundee. Barbieri, who weighed 456 pounds (207 kg) at the start, was determined to reach his ideal weight.
The Medically Supervised Fast and Its Contents
The medical team at Maryfield Hospital, led by Dr. William Kinnear Stewart, initially planned for a much shorter fast, but Barbieri insisted on continuing as he felt he was adapting well. Throughout his ordeal, Barbieri's intake was carefully controlled to keep him alive and minimize risks. His diet consisted of:
- Water, black coffee, and tea
- Sparkling water
- Electrolytes, including potassium and sodium
- Vitamin supplements
- An unspecified amount of yeast, providing essential amino acids
His medical team performed regular blood and urine tests to monitor his health. Remarkably, for the final eight months, his blood glucose levels were consistently very low, yet he experienced no major adverse effects. This was possible because his body relied on its vast fat reserves for energy through a process called ketosis. An unusual side effect of his prolonged fast was infrequent bowel movements, occurring only once every 40 to 50 days.
Breaking the Fast and Maintaining Weight
After 382 days, Barbieri successfully reached his target weight of 180 pounds (82 kg), having lost an incredible 276 pounds (125 kg). He broke his fast with a simple, symbolic meal of a boiled egg and a slice of buttered bread. For the next ten days, doctors placed him on a diet of salt and then sugar to ease his body back into solid food. His long-term success was as notable as the fast itself; a 1973 study confirmed he maintained a healthy weight, regaining only 16 pounds over the next five years.
Comparison of Fasting Types
Fasting can be undertaken for many reasons, with significant differences in duration, supervision, and motivation. A comparison helps illustrate why Barbieri's case is a unique medical marvel rather than a standard practice.
| Feature | Angus Barbieri's Therapeutic Fast | Hunger Strikes | Spiritual Fasting (e.g., Ramadan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motivation | Weight loss and improved health | Political protest, raising awareness | Religious devotion and spiritual discipline |
| Duration | Record-setting 382 days | Variable, can extend for weeks or months (e.g., Irom Sharmila's 16 years, though force-fed) | Typically one month (Ramadan) or specific days throughout the year |
| Supervision | Strict and continuous medical monitoring | Often involves some level of medical observation, but can be clandestine | Individual or community-based, no medical supervision required |
| Nutritional Intake | Water, non-caloric liquids, vitamins, electrolytes, yeast | Water only or refusal of all intake; force-feeding may occur | Abstinence from food/drink from dawn to dusk, standard meals outside fasting hours |
| Primary Risk | Electrolyte imbalances, heart failure, refeeding syndrome | Severe health decline, malnutrition, death | Generally lower risk for healthy individuals, but still requires care |
The Dangers of Unsupervised Extreme Fasting
While Angus Barbieri's story is one of endurance and success, it is critical to understand that it was a highly controlled medical experiment and not a blueprint for weight loss. Modern doctors are unanimous in cautioning against repeating such an extreme fast without continuous expert supervision. The risks associated with prolonged starvation are severe and include:
- Malnutrition: A lack of food over an extended period leads to nutrient deficiencies.
- Muscle Loss: The body will begin to break down muscle tissue for energy once fat reserves are depleted.
- Electrolyte Imbalances: This can cause fatigue, weakness, and irregular heart rhythms, potentially leading to heart failure.
- Refeeding Syndrome: The most dangerous complication, which can occur when reintroducing food after a prolonged fast, causing sudden shifts in fluid and electrolyte levels that can be fatal.
Why Guinness World Records No Longer Monitors Fasting Records
Concern over the health risks associated with extreme dieting led Guinness World Records to discontinue the category for the longest fast. They no longer actively endorse or support records related to fasting to avoid encouraging unsafe and potentially deadly behavior. This policy change reflects the medical consensus that Barbieri's case, while remarkable, is an extreme outlier and not a safe example for the general public.
Conclusion: An Extraordinary Medical Anomaly
Angus Barbieri's fast stands as a unique testament to human endurance, but also as a powerful warning. While the question of who has the longest fasting has a clear answer, his journey was a one-of-a-kind medical event that should not be replicated. The success of his extreme weight loss was predicated on continuous, expert medical supervision, a condition rarely replicable and not advisable for the average person. The story remains a compelling case study in medical literature, but it serves as a reminder that proper, evidence-based medical guidance is paramount when undertaking any form of weight loss or fasting regimen.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any significant dietary changes.
Here is a relevant medical case study for further reading: Features of a successful therapeutic fast of 382 days' duration.
