Over the years, a number of Little people, big world Fans have criticized Audrey Roloff for being arrogant and annoying.
But they may be forgetting something. Specifically, that Jeremy can be fair as insufferable.
In this case, what you are promoting could be downright dangerous.
Jer is talking about using hunger “for health”, which suggests that doing the opposite is a sin. And she has fans worried about his children.
Little People, Big World fans are backing down in concern over Jeremy Roloff’s recent post. And they are not wrong.
“On fasting for health,” he began on his Instagram story. “Look up ‘autophagy.'”
Autophagy, which literally translates as devouring himself, refers to a cellular process. (It could also be a reference to autophagy, in which people consume their own bodies, but that’s…not the same thing.)
“There is a ton of peer-reviewed research on fasting-triggered cellular rejuvenation, also known as autophagy,” Jeremy wrote.
Just for the record, there is also research showing that autophagy can help cancer cells grow and that excessive autophagy can damage heart cells.
“It’s pretty amazing that the body was designed to have an internal cell repair mechanism,” Jeremy commented. Sure? But if cell repair weren’t possible, we probably wouldn’t be around to observe its function. biology has a lot survivor bias.
This is where Jeremy moves from a valid (if one-sided) scientific stance and into stranger territory.
“Unfortunately, because of our gluttony (and many other factors),” he lamented, “fasting has become a forgotten art.”
It feels less like Jeremy is making fun of a big Thanksgiving meal and more like he’s depicting The Sin of Gluttony as part of the frailty of the human condition. Which may be part of his belief system, but it’s weird getting into a conversation that isn’t explicitly religious.
“Most people,” Jeremy said, “live out of touch with the [body’s] natural processes.”
That last is true.
While many people fast for religious or spiritual reasons or for their physical well-being, most people are too busy going about their lives to grasp the latest research on cell repair.
Naturally, many voiced their concerns on social media out of concern that someone would take Jeremy’s advice, and more.
“The guy seriously needs to stop talking about the benefits of fasting until he shows that he himself does what he is pushing for,” one wrote on Reddit.
That same Reddit user continued: “He’s supporting a seven-day water-only fast, but he never mentions his personal experiences.”
“I am afraid of how they are going to raise their children,” another admitted.
Even if they don’t try to do this starvation practice with their children, even watching a parent’s disordered eating can have a long-term negative impact on a child’s eating habits.
“You can’t convince me to ANY degree that Jerm is reading peer-reviewed research,” another noted. “He is taking the words of Internet ‘doctors’ who say they have read it. None of them have.
we here in THG in fact did read some of the peer-reviewed research after Jeremy brought this up, but we’re not doctors. Obviously. That’s why we’re talking about reality stars instead of using stethoscopes.
It sounds like the research you’re referring to is (mostly) real, but it contains both benefits and dangers that can be derived from deliberately temporarily depriving cells of new nutrients. Like most things, there is rarely an easy or clear answer. Biology is so complex that it is a whole scientific field!
People of many religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Paganism, Hinduism, Taoism, and more) can practice fasting. Sometimes for parties, or specific rites. But it’s best to avoid confusing a spiritual practice with supposed scientific benefits. These benefits may exist, but we should not confuse one with the other.