The science behind the Sardine Protocol

Eight mechanisms, hundreds of primary sources, every claim cited. Browse by mechanism or dive straight into the source library.

Ketosis & short fasts

How a 3–5 day sardine-only intake reaches nutritional ketosis and what β-hydroxybutyrate looks like across the cycle.

Mechanism deep-dive coming soon.

Autophagy

What human evidence actually exists — and where rodent data has been over-extrapolated.

Mechanism deep-dive coming soon.

Omega-3 & visceral fat

EPA + DHA dose-response on visceral adipose tissue, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity.

Mechanism deep-dive coming soon.

Insulin sensitivity

What happens to fasting insulin during a short sardine fast, and how durable the improvement is.

Mechanism deep-dive coming soon.

Protein-sparing modified fast

The 1970s PSMF foundation that the modern sardine fast inherits from.

Mechanism deep-dive coming soon.

Mitochondrial biogenesis

AMPK → PGC-1α and the human-vs-rodent evidence gap.

Mechanism deep-dive coming soon.

mTOR / IGF-1

Where the longevity claims are real — and where they overstate the data.

Mechanism deep-dive coming soon.

Gut microbiome & fasting

Short-fast effects on microbial diversity and post-refeed recovery.

Mechanism deep-dive coming soon.