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Feb 20, 2026 8 min

The truth about intermittent fasting

from Short Wave

From TikTok and Instagram influencers to celebrities like Hugh Jackman and Kourtney Kardashian, intermittent fasting has gotten a lot of hype. The diet restricts what time you eat rather than what or how much you eat. The idea is that short periods of fasting cause your body to burn through stored fat reserves. But is that conventional wisdom true? And can it really contribute to weight loss? Regina G. Barber and Rachel Carlson tackle those questions — plus why some researchers are rethinking how to protect people's mental health when talking to chatbots and how ultra-endurance running changes the human body. Have a scientific question you want us to answer? Email us your question at [email protected]. Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave. NPR Privacy Policy

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The Dennis Michael Lynch Show TeamDML M-F 10amET: Dennis Michael Lynch ("DML") is a popular conservative commentator who covers news, politics, culture, and society. His unfiltered approach in delivering hard-hitting commentary stems from DML's unique perspective as an award-winning entrepreneur, acclaimed filmmaker, respected cable news anchor, and dedicated family man. The show offers a collection of styles, including interviews, solo commentary, long form and short form, and is presented in both video and audio. VIDEO: The podcast airs Monday-Friday, LIVE on Facebook.com/DMLNewsApp, TeamDML.com. AUDIO: Available on The DML NEWS APP, TeamDML.com, and on all major podcast platforms. Tune in to listen to the most trusted man in news. Download the DML NEWS APP and never miss an episode. Hold The Line with Buck Sexton The First Digital Inc “Hold The Line with Buck Sexton” is Conservatism’s new command and control center. Former CIA Analyst and nationally syndicated radio host Buck Sexton is ready to stand athwart the progressive tidal wave. One of the movement’s fiercest “wartime conservatives”, Buck brings his unique perspective to America’s most pressing concerns, from domestic policy that values liberty to a foreign policy that puts American interests first. Hold The Line draws upon Buck’s encyclopedic knowledge of the issues, and his experience combatting America’s enemies abroad. Under assault on all fronts, Buck Sexton is ready to inspire viewers to take their place on the battlements and prepare to Hold The Line.

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