Health
Golfer Phil Mickelson’s strict weight loss diet: Doctor shares what to know

Professional golfer Phil Mickelson, who made his 32nd start in The Masters this week, has been open about his commitment to health and wellness.
The six-time major champion and three-time Masters winner has said he follows a five-day prolonged fast, which led to him dropping 25 pounds in 2023.
Intermittent fasting (IF) has become a popular weight-loss strategy in recent years.
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There are several types of intermittent fasting — but they all follow the same concept of alternating between fasting and eating.
Phil Mickelson is pictured competing in golf tournaments 24 years apart, in 2001 (left) and 2025 (right). The six-time major champion and three-time Masters winner has said he follows a five-day prolonged fast, which led to him dropping 25 pounds in 2023. (Reuters / AP )
With a time-restricted approach, the dieter only eats during a certain window. For example, with the 16/8 method, the person fasts for 16 hours and then can eat within an eight-hour span, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Other versions involve fasting for a full 24 hours once or twice per week — or only consuming limited calories on fasting days.
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Dr. Christopher Rhodes — a longevity, fasting and biomimetics researcher in California, shared his thoughts on Mickelson’s radical fasting program, which also includes drinking coffee with supplements.
“A five-day prolonged fast like the one Phil Mickelson follows will have profound effects on metabolism and weight loss,” he told Fox News Digital.

Phil Mickelson watches on the sixth hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament on April 10, 2025, in Augusta, Georgia. The athlete has been open about his commitment to health and wellness. (AP Photos)
“It fundamentally shifts the energy state and fuel sources in the body and forces stored fat to be burned as energy, but certainly at the expense of elite athletic performance, especially in the later stages of a fast.”
Potential risks
Fasting for longer than 24 hours will deplete the body’s glycogen stores and cause it to enter ketosis, a state where it primarily burns fat and ketones for energy, according to Rhodes, who is also the founder of nutrition company Mimio Health.
“While this will accelerate fat loss and provide benefits to overall metabolic health, the body will still need to produce some of its own glucose in order to support brain function and will start to break down protein sources, like muscle, to maintain proper glucose levels.”
“A five-day prolonged fast like the one Phil Mickelson follows will have profound effects on metabolism and weight loss.”
Over time, this will result in muscle breakdown, strength loss, fatigue and lower overall energy levels, which could hinder athletic performance, according to the expert.
Mickelson has spoken about his own muscle loss as a result of his fasting.
“I also lost muscle, so I had to start lifting, and I’ve been lifting and slowly have been getting my speed and strength back to where I need it to be,” he said during the 2023 Masters.

There are several types of intermittent fasting — but they all follow the same concept of alternating between fasting and eating. (iStock)
For elite athletes, maintaining muscle mass and metabolic flexibility is critical, Rhodes said.
“Extended fasts may slow down recovery, impair high-intensity exercise performance and even reduce power output if not properly managed.”
The doctor cautioned that a prolonged five-day fast should not be performed more than a few times per year, with plenty of recovery time in between.
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Certain groups — such as those at risk of muscle loss, like the elderly — should avoid five-day fasts, he said.
“While fasting can improve insulin sensitivity, cognition, cellular function and metabolic efficiency, shorter intermittent fasting windows or fasting-mimicking strategies may offer similar metabolic benefits without the drawbacks of extreme caloric restriction,” Rhodes added.
Smart supplements
Mickelson reportedly drinks coffee with supplements during his fasts, something Rhodes recommends as a means of preserving energy and muscle mass during weight loss.
“During prolonged fasting, the body begins to break down both protein and fat for energy, which can lead to muscle loss,” he said.

Mickelson reportedly drinks coffee with supplements during his fasts, something Rhodes recommends as a means of preserving energy and muscle mass during weight loss. (iStock)
“Supplements such as amino acids, fatty acids, electrolytes and certain metabolic bioactives can help mitigate this.”
The doctor noted that supplementing with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), creatine or HMB (hydroxymethylbutyrate) can help to preserve muscle tissue, performance and strength while staying in a fasted state.
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“Likewise, supplementing with essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and omega 3s like EPA and DHA, which the body cannot produce on its own, would be crucial for maintaining high-level functionality during prolonged multi-day fasting,” he added.

Phil Mickelson hits from the fairway on the first hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament on April 10, 2025, in Augusta, Georgia. For elite athletes, maintaining muscle mass and metabolic flexibility is critical, Rhodes said. (AP Photos)
Caffeine from coffee can also serve to provide calorie-free energy, Rhodes noted, while also suppressing appetite and providing a cognitive boost to combat potential fasting-induced brain fog.
“Prolonged fasting can deplete electrolytes like sodium, potassium and magnesium, which are essential for muscle function, hydration and energy production,” he said. “If his supplements include these electrolytes, they may help prevent cramping and fatigue.”
Importance of strength training
Regarding Mickelson’s comments about lifting weights during his fasting stints, Rhodes agreed that weightlifting is essential for preserving and building muscle during weight loss.
“The body operates on a ‘use it or lose it’ principle, especially during periods of caloric restriction or fasting, where it’s actively needing to mobilize energy sources from the body to sustain itself,” the doctor said.
“Muscle is one of the most energetically costly tissues to sustain, so if we’re not using it on a daily basis, the body will preferentially start breaking down muscle to conserve energy.”

Weightlifting is essential for preserving and building muscle during weight loss, experts agree. (iStock)
Resistance training sends a signal to the body that lean mass is essential for survival and tells it to prevent excessive muscle breakdown, prioritizing fat for fuel.
“For athletes like Mickelson, weightlifting also helps maintain neuromuscular coordination, joint integrity and power output,” Rhodes said.
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“Strength training improves insulin sensitivity, enhances metabolic rate and ensures that weight loss comes primarily from fat rather than muscle.”
It’s also important to refuel after a fast with adequate protein intake, the expert added.
Finding healthy patterns
Ultimately, according to Rhodes, the best way to support long-term weight loss and metabolic health is to find a pattern of eating that works for the individual and can be sustained for the long haul.
“During prolonged fasting, the body begins to break down both protein and fat for energy, which can lead to muscle loss.”
“While some find that periods of fasting are helpful in resetting their hunger and satiety cues and developing a better relationship with food, others may find it too restrictive and overwhelming, setting themselves up for failure and rebound binging down the road,” he said.
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“Every person is different, but prioritizing nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods that are rich in fiber, protein and healthy fats can aid significantly in reducing cravings and improving quality of life and meal satisfaction.”

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Health
Mini-strokes may cause surprising long-term health issue, experts warn

Prolonged fatigue could indicate poor sleep habits — but it could also be a lingering effect of mini-strokes.
That’s according to a new study from Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark, which was published this week in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN).
A mini-stroke — medically known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that causes a “short period of symptoms,” according to Mayo Clinic.
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The study found that people who experience a TIA are more likely to report prolonged fatigue lasting up to one year.
“Patients with a presumed transient event reported fatigue at levels comparable to a stroke,” lead study author Birgitte Hede Ebbesen, PT, PhD, a physiotherapist at Aalborg University Hospital, told Fox News Digital.
A new study found that people who experience a mini-stroke are more likely to report prolonged fatigue lasting up to one year. (iStock)
The researchers followed 354 people averaging 70 years of age who had experienced a mini-stroke.
Over a 12-month period, the participants reported their level of fatigue in five areas: overall tiredness, physical tiredness, reduced activity, reduced motivation and mental fatigue, according to a university press release.
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On a scale ranging from 4 to 20 — with 20 being the most fatigued — the participants reported an average score of 12.3 in the two weeks after the mini-stroke, 11.9 at three months, 11.4 at six months and 11.1 at the one-year mark.
Two weeks after the mini-stroke, 61% reported high levels of fatigue. At three, six and 12 months, 54% said they experienced fatigue.

Two weeks after the mini-stroke, 61% reported high levels of fatigue. At three, six and 12 months, 54% said they experienced fatigue. (iStock)
Those who reported prolonged fatigue were twice as likely to have experienced anxiety and/or depression, the study found. Some also reported
“We had encountered fatigue among patients with TIA in clinical settings, so we knew it was there — but the frequency still surprised us,” Modrau told Fox News Digital.
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“Long-term fatigue was common in our group of study participants, and we found that if people experience fatigue within two weeks of leaving the hospital, it is likely they will continue to have fatigue for up to a year.”
Based on these findings, Modrau suggests that people diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack should be monitored for lingering fatigue in the ensuing weeks and months.

A mini-stroke — medically known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that causes a “short period of symptoms,” according to Mayo Clinic. (iStock)
“This could help us better understand who might struggle with fatigue long-term and require further care.”
The more commonly known symptoms of stroke include face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech, which usually resolve within a day, according to Modrau. Some patients also reported long-term cognitive issues.
Causes of post-stroke fatigue
Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide, confirmed that fatigue is very common — and sometimes “debilitating” — following a stroke.
“Fatigue is multifactorial and can rarely be attributed to a single cause,” Serwer, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
“Fatigue is multifactorial and can rarely be attributed to a single cause.”
The Maryland-based cardiologist shared the following potential reasons for fatigue following a mini-stroke.
Brain healing: “After a stroke, the brain tries to heal itself,” Serwer said. “This process causes the brain to work harder to ‘rewire’ itself, which results in a higher demand for energy. This often leaves patients feeling drained or fatigued.”
Increased inflammation: This can occur due to the immune response following a TIA.

Reduced levels of chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can result in depression, fatigue or lack of motivation. (iStock)
Lower levels of neurotransmitters in the brain: Reduced levels of chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can result in depression, fatigue or lack of motivation, according to Serwer.
Sleep disturbances: “These are very common after a stroke and can lead to significant sleep deprivation,” the cardiologist said.
Medications: Drugs used to treat strokes may have adverse side effects, including fatigue. “Betablockers are excellent blood pressure medications and are often prescribed after a stroke or heart attack, but they may cause notable fatigue,” Serwer noted.
Other factors: “Simple tasks may require more mental effort than before the injury,” the cardiologist said. “Depression or anxiety after a stroke can also be a confounding predictor of fatigue.”
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Potential limitations
The study did have some limitations, the researchers noted.
“It is an observational study and therefore we cannot determine causality,” Modrau said.
“Results are based on self-reported questionnaires, and we cannot be certain that relatives didn’t help fill them out or influence results.”

Drugs used to treat strokes may have adverse side effects, including fatigue. (iStock)
The researchers also did not have information on pre-TIA fatigue levels, although previous studies suggested that it was “much more frequent” after mini-strokes.
Looking ahead, Modrau said she hopes healthcare providers begin to acknowledge lasting fatigue after TIA and provide care pathways for these patients.
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“Up until now, patients with lasting challenges after TIA have been left alone in many cases,” she told Fox News Digital.
“We as a society should start to acknowledge their difficulties instead of viewing them as ‘the lucky ones,’” she continued. “My aim with this study has been to give these patients a voice – and to start to listen to their struggles.”
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