However, some essential vitamins and nutrients cannot be produced by the body. To cover it up, Barbieri was taking supplements. There are also other examples where people starved to longer periods. In 1973, a man was found starving for 385 days because he was on hunger strike. He was finally forcefully fed with the feeding tube.
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Barbieri’s fast continued for 382 days. He was successful in losing 276 pounds and he finally reached his ideal weight of 180 pounds. His weight loss also persisted as he only gained only 16 pounds in the next five years.
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The doctors in present times call this long fast as harmful as it could risk the person’s life. But, the doctors who monitored his weight loss concluded that “supervised therapeutic starvation of the obese patient can be a safe therapy.” But they also insisted that the extended starvation therapy should be exercised with proper caution.
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The doctors’ report also appreciated Barbieri’s cooperation all along the fast. It said, “his cheerful co-operation and steadfast application to the task of achieving a normal physique.” At the end of his fast, Barbieri said, “apart from feeling a wee bit weak, I feel no ill effects.” He told a newspaper reporter, “I thoroughly enjoyed my egg and I feel very full.”
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