Professional golfer Phil Mikelson, who made his 32nd beginning in Masters this week, is open about his commitment to health and welfare.
Six -time prominent champions and three -time masters winners have said that he follows a five -day long fast, causing him to drop 25 pounds in 2023.
An internal fasting (IF) has become a popular weight-loss strategy in recent years.
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There are many types of intermittent fasting – but they all follow the same concept between fasting and food.
Phil Mixelson has been competed in 2001 (left) and 2025 (right) in addition to 24 years in the golf tournament. Six -time prominent champions and three -time masters winners have said that he follows a five -day long fast, causing him to drop 25 pounds in 2023. (Reute / AP)
With a time-related approach, the diet only eats during a certain window. For example, with 16/8 method, the person fasts for 16 hours and then can eat between 10 am and 6 pm within eight hours of difference.
Other versions include fasting for a full 24 hours per week – or only consuming limited calories during fasting days.
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Dr. Christopher Rhodes – AlHeyNgevity, fasting and biomimetics researchers in California shared their views on Mixels’ radical fasting program, including drinking coffee with supplements.
“Like a Phil Mixon, five days like a Phil Mixon will have a profound impact on metabolism and weight loss,” he told Fox News Digital.

Phil Mixelson sees on the sixth hole during the first round at Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia on 10 April 2025. The athlete is open about its commitment to health and welfare. (AP photos)
“It fundamentally moves energy status and fuel sources in the body and the forces that stored fats burnt as energy, but of course at the cost of elite athletic performance, especially in the post -fasting stages.”
potential risk
Fasting for more than 24 hours will eliminate the body’s glycogen stores and will cause it to enter ketosis, a state where it mainly burns fats and ketones for energy, according to Rhodes, which is also the founder of the Nutrition Company Mimio Health.
“While it will accelerate fat loss and provide benefits to overall metabolic health, the body will still need to produce its own glucose to support the function of the brain and to maintain proper glucose levels, start breaking protein sources like muscles.
“As a Phil Mixelson, the five -day long fasting follows, will have a profound impact on metabolism and weight loss.”
Over time, it will result in muscle rupture, strength loss, fatigue and low overall energy levels, which can obstruct athletic performance according to the expert.
Mikelson has talked about the loss of her muscles as a result of her fast.
During the 2023 masters, he said, “I had lost the muscles as well, so I had to start lifting, and I am lifting and slowly withdrawing my speed and strength where I need it,” he said during the 2023 masters.

There are many types of intermittent fasting – but they all follow the same concept between fasting and food. (Istock)
For elite athletes, it is important to maintain muscles and metabolic flexibility, Rhodes said.
“The extended fasting can slow recovery, reduce high-intensity exercise performance and even reduce power generation if not managed properly.”
The doctor warned that a long five -day fast for a long time should not be exceeded more than a few times per year, with a lot of recovery in the middle over time.
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Some groups-like the elderly, should avoid fasting of fifth day at risk of muscle loss, they said.
“While fasting can improve insulin sensitivity, cognition, cellular function and metabolic efficiency, low internal fasting windows or fasting strategies can provide similar metabolic benefits without the shortcomings of extreme calorie restrictions,” Rods said.
Smart supplements
Mikelson allegedly drinks coffee with supplements supplements during his fasting, some rhodes recommend as a means of preserving the mass of energy and muscle during weight loss.
“During long fasting, the body begins to break both protein and fat for energy, causing muscle loss,” he said.

Mikelson allegedly drinks coffee with supplements supplements during his fasting, some rhodes recommend as a means of preserving the mass of energy and muscle during weight loss. (Istock)
Supplies such as amino acids, fatty acids, electrolytes and some metabolic bioactives can help reduce it. “
The doctor said that bronchade-chain can help preserve the muscle tissue, performance and strength, while living in a fasting state.
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He said, “Similarly, complement with essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and omega 3s, which cannot produce the body itself, will be important to maintain high-level functionality during long-day fasting,” he said.

Phil Mikelson hit the first hole on the first round at Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia on 10 April 2025. For elite athletes, it is important to maintain muscles and metabolic flexibility, Rhodes said. (AP photos)
Coffee from coffee can also work to provide calorie-free energy, Rhodes noted, while providing a cognitive encouragement to press hunger and deal with possible fasting-inspired brain fog.
“Prolonged fasting can reduce electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and magnesium, which are essential for muscle function, hydration and energy production,” he said. “If their doses include these electrolytes, they can help prevent cramps and fatigue.”
Importance of power training
Regarding Mikelson’s comments about lifting weight during his fasting, Rhodes agreed that weightlifting is necessary to preserve and create muscles during weight loss.
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The doctor said, “the body ‘uses it or loses it, works on the principle, especially during the calorie ban or a period of fasting, where it needs to actively raise energy sources from the body,” the doctor said.
“The most energetic is one of the most energetically expensive tissues to maintain the muscle, so if we are not using it on a daily basis, the body will begin to break the muscles for the conservation of energy preferably.”

Weightlifting is necessary to preserve and create muscles during weight loss, experts agree. (Istock)
Resistance training sends a signal to the body that lean mass is necessary for survival and asks it to prevent excessive muscle breakdown, prefer fat for fuel.
“For athletes such as Mikelson, weightlifting also helps maintain neuromuscular coordination, joint integrity and power generation,” Rhodes said.
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“Shakti training improves insulin sensitivity, increases metabolic rates and ensures that weight loss comes mainly from fat rather than muscle.”
The expert said that it is also important to fill fuel after fasting with adequate protein intake.
Finding healthy patterns
Ultimately, according to Rhodes, the best way to support long -term weight loss and metabolic health is to find a pattern that works for the person and can be continuous for long walk.
“During long fasting, the body begins to break both protein and fat for energy, causing muscle loss.”
He said, “Some people find that the duration of fasting is helpful in resetting their hunger and signs of satisfaction and developing a better relationship with food, others may feel very restrictive and heavy, installing themselves for failure and can retaliate falling down on the road,” he said.
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“Every person is different, but preference nutrient-dense, minimal processed foods that are rich in fiber, protein and healthy fats, can help significantly to reduce craving and improve life and food satisfaction.”