The Science & Practice of Fasting
Traditional Naturopathic Fasting, Intermittent Fasting & Practical Application
Fasting has been part of the human experience for thousands of years — woven through religious traditions, healing practices and the foundations of naturopathic medicine.
Today, fasting and intermittent fasting are firmly back in the spotlight, supported by a growing body of research into metabolic health, healthy ageing and physiological resilience.
But with so many different fasting styles, claims and protocols now circulating, the practical questions are often the hardest ones to answer:
What does the evidence actually say?
How do traditional fasting approaches compare with modern intermittent fasting?
Who may benefit — and who may not?
And how do we apply any of this safely and appropriately in clinical practice?
Join Naturopath and Sports Nutritionist Kira Sutherland for this practical two-part webinar series exploring fasting through both a traditional naturopathic and modern nutritional lens.
Across four hours of live teaching, Kira will connect the history and philosophy of fasting with current research, modern fasting styles and the realities of individualised clinical application.
What We’ll Cover
Part 1 — Traditional Fasting & Nature Cure
The first session looks at the history of fasting and its place within traditional naturopathic practice.
Kira will explore the philosophy behind fasting and the different approaches historically used to reduce digestive load and support the body’s natural healing processes.
You’ll look at traditional methods including:
- Water fasting
- European-style juice fasting
- Green juice fasting
- Mono-food fasting
- Other classic naturopathic fasting approaches
- The principles and rationale behind different fasting methods
- How traditional approaches differ from one another
- How elements of traditional fasting may — or may not — fit within modern clinical practice
This session provides the context behind many fasting practices that are still discussed today, helping you better understand where they came from and how they were traditionally used.
Part 2 — Intermittent Fasting & the Modern Evidence
In Part 2, the focus moves into intermittent fasting, time-restricted eating and the rapidly evolving research around modern fasting approaches.
Kira will explore:
- Current research into intermittent fasting
- Proposed physiological and metabolic effects of fasting
- Time-restricted eating
- Popular intermittent fasting styles
- How different fasting structures work
- Why one fasting approach may suit one person but not another
- When fasting may be appropriate
- When fasting may not be the right choice
Particular attention will be given to the individual factors that can change how fasting is experienced and applied, including:
- Lifestyle
- Exercise and training
- Metabolic health
- Age
- Sex
The aim is to move beyond generic fasting advice and towards a more individualised, clinically useful understanding of how these approaches may fit into practice.
Beyond the Theory
There is no shortage of information about fasting.
The harder part is knowing what to do with it.
Across both webinars, Kira will combine traditional naturopathic knowledge, nutritional science, current research and more than 30 years of clinical experience to bring the discussion back to the question practitioners really need answered:
What do we actually do with this information in clinical practice?
Rather than treating fasting as a single protocol or one-size-fits-all strategy, this series looks at the bigger picture — the method, the person, the evidence and the clinical context.
This Webinar Series Is For You If You Want To:
- Better understand the history and traditional use of fasting
- Explore the difference between traditional fasting and intermittent fasting
- Understand the major intermittent fasting approaches
- Make more sense of the current research
- Consider fasting through a more individualised clinical lens
- Better assess when fasting may or may not be appropriate
- Apply fasting concepts more confidently in practice
- Move beyond simplified fasting rules and social media soundbites
What’s Included
- 2 x 2-hour live online webinars
- Access to the webinar recordings
- Practical discussion of both traditional and modern fasting approaches
- Current research and nutritional science
- Clinical application and individual considerations
- CPE Certificate upon completion.
Webinar Dates
7–9pm AEDT, Monday 9th November 2026
7–9pm AEDT, Monday 16 November 2026
Live online, with recordings available afterwards.
Investment
Early Bird: $150 + GST
available until 26th October 2026
Registration: $200 + GST
About Kira Sutherland
Kira Sutherland is a Naturopath and Sports Nutritionist with more than 30 years of clinical experience.
Her teaching brings together traditional naturopathic principles, modern nutritional science, research and practical clinical application.
Known for making complex nutrition topics practical and relevant, Kira focuses on helping practitioners understand not only the theory, but how to work with that information in the real world.
Explore Fasting From Both Sides of the Conversation
From traditional water and juice fasting through to intermittent fasting, time-restricted eating and modern metabolic research, this series brings the different approaches together in one practical, clinically focused discussion.
If you want a deeper understanding of fasting — where it came from, what the research says now, and how to think about its use with different clients — this two-part series will give you a much clearer framework to work from.
Early Bird: $150
Full Price: $220