Dr. Mindy Pelz

A 28-day cyclical fasting strategy mapping three distinct metabolic phases: The Power Phase (Days 1-10: deep fasting and low carbs for estrogen production and autophagy), The Manifestation Phase (Days 11-15: moderate fasting and cruciferous vegetables to clear surplus estrogen during ovulation), and The Nurture Phase (Days 16-28: zero fasting and clean complex carbohydrates to supply progesterone synthesis). Primary Citation: Fast Like a Girl: A Woman's Guide to Using the Healing Power of Fasting to Burn Fat, Boost Energy, and Balance Hormones (2022). Verified Public Record: "Women cannot fast like men. During the late luteal phase before menstruation, the body requires adequate glucose to synthesize progesterone; extending fasts during this window spikes cortisol and disrupts the cycle." — Fast Like a Girl (Chapter 5: The Fasting Cycle Calendar, p. 104 (2022))

Core perspective shared by Dr. Mindy Pelz (The Resetter Podcast, Family Connection Chiropractic): "Fasting cycle synchronization: Matching intermittent fasting and hormone feasting days to progesterone curves" Key Works: Fast Like a Girl (2022), The Menopause Reset (2021).

"Aligning fasting windows with the female infradian rhythm—using deeper autophagy fasts in the follicular phase and nourishing complex roots in the late luteal phase—protects progesterone balance."