Angus Barbieri was a Scottish man who gained worldwide attention for his remarkable fasting feat in the 1960s. He fasted for 382 days, consuming only water and vitamin supplements, under medical supervision. This extreme fast allowed him to lose a substantial amount of weight and drew significant interest from the medical community and the public. His case is often cited in discussions about the effects of prolonged fasting on the human body.
Barbieri’s fast was not initially planned to last as long as it did. In 1965, the 27-year-old from Tayport, Scotland, checked into the Maryfield Hospital in Dundee. The doctors initially planned a short fast, believing that short fasts were preferable to longer ones. However, Barbieri insisted on continuing because "he adapted so well and was eager to reach his ‘ideal’ weight".
During his fast, Barbieri consumed only vitamins, electrolytes, and an unspecified amount of yeast (a source of all essential amino acids), and zero-calorie beverages such as tea, coffee, and sparkling water. He occasionally consumed small amounts of milk and/or sugar with the beverages, especially during the final weeks of the fast. He quit working at his father’s fish and chip shop, which closed down during the fast.
In the 1971 edition of The Guinness Book of Records, Barbieri’s 392-day fast was recognized as the longest recorded. As of 2023, Barbieri retains the record for the longest fast without solid food, according to Guinness officials. Guinness no longer officially endorses records relating to fasting for fear of encouraging unsafe behavior.
The doctor who supervised his fast published a case report in 1973, describing not only his 276-pound weight loss—from 456 to 180 pounds—but also the many vitamins and minerals they used to keep him alive, and the fact his patient went “37 to 48 days between stools.”
Angus Barbieri's story remains a testament to the human body's ability to adapt and survive in extreme conditions. However, it's important to note that his fast is an unusual and highly unconventional approach to weight loss, and it is not recommended without medical supervision and oversight. Extreme fasting should only be considered in very specific medical contexts and under the guidance of healthcare professionals.
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