Fasting for three days can regenerate entire immune system, study finds Researchers say fasting "flips a regenerative switch" which prompts stem cells to create brand new white blood cells Picture: PEGAZ/Alamy Twitter 2K Facebook 46K Share 48K By Sarah Knapton, Science Correspondent7:51PM BST 05 Jun 2014 A person's entire immune system can be rejuvenated by fasting for as little as three days as it triggers the body to start producing new white blood cells, a study suggests Fasting for as little as three days can regenerate the entire immune system, even in the elderly, scientists have found in a breakthrough described as "remarkable". Although fasting diets have been criticised by nutritionists for being unhealthy, new research suggests starving the body kick-starts stem cells into producing new white blood cells, which fight off infection. RELATED ARTICLES Mervyn King: I feel liberated - I’m learning to foxtrot Clients not wedded to Ayesha Vardag’s big day Why brights are big this season - and how to wear them Scientists at the University of Southern California say the discovery could be particularly beneficial for people suffering from damaged immune systems, such as cancer patients on chemotherapy. It could also help the elderly whose immune system becomes less effective as they age, making it harder for them to fight off even common diseases. The researchers say fasting "flips a regenerative switch" which prompts stem cells to create brand new white blood cells, essentially regenerating the entire immune system. "It gives the 'OK' for stem cells to go ahead and begin proliferating and rebuild the entire system," said Prof Valter Longo, Professor of Gerontology and the Biological Sciences at the University of California. "And the good news is that the body got rid of the parts of the system that might be damaged or old, the inefficient parts, during the fasting. “Now, if you start with a system heavily damaged by chemotherapy or ageing, fasting cycles can generate, literally, a new immune system." Prolonged fasting forces the body to use stores of glucose and fat but also breaks down a significant portion of white blood cells. During each cycle of fasting, this depletion of white blood cells induces changes that trigger stem cell-based regeneration of new immune system cells. In trials humans were asked to regularly fast for between two and four days over a six-month period. Scientists found that prolonged fasting also reduced the enzyme PKA, which is linked to ageing and a hormone which increases cancer risk and tumour growth. "We could not predict that prolonged fasting would have such a remarkable effect in promoting stem cell-based regeneration of the hematopoietic system," added Prof Longo. "When you starve, the system tries to save energy, and one of the things it can do to save energy is to recycle a lot of the immune cells that are not needed, especially those that may be damaged," Dr Longo said. "What we started noticing in both our human work and animal work is that the white blood cell count goes down with prolonged fasting. Then when you re-feed, the blood cells come back. So we started thinking, well, where does it come from?" Fasting for 72 hours also protected cancer patients against the toxic impact of chemotherapy. "While chemotherapy saves lives, it causes significant collateral damage to the immune system. The results of this study suggest that fasting may mitigate some of the harmful effects of chemotherapy," said co-author Tanya Dorff, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital. "More clinical studies are needed, and any such dietary intervention should be undertaken only under the guidance of a physician.” "We are investigating the possibility that these effects are applicable to many different systems and organs, not just the immune system," added Prof Longo. However, some British experts were sceptical of the research. Dr Graham Rook, emeritus professor of immunology at University College London, said the study sounded "improbable". Chris Mason, Professor of Regenerative Medicine at UCL, said: “There is some interesting data here. It sees that fasting reduces the number and size of cells and then re-feeding at 72 hours saw a rebound. “That could be potentially useful because that is not such a long time that it would be terribly harmful to someone with cancer. “But I think the most sensible way forward would be to synthesize this effect with drugs. I am not sure fasting is the best idea. People are better eating on a regular basis.” Dr Longo added: “There is no evidence at all that fasting would be dangerous while there is strong evidence that it is beneficial. “I have received emails from hundreds of cancer patients who have combined chemo with fasting, many with the assistance of the oncologists. “Thus far the great majority have reported doing very well and only a few have reported some side effects including fainting and a temporary increase in liver markers. Clearly we need to finish the clinical trials, but it looks very promising.” 'Fast diet' promises weight loss, but is this fad unhealthy? 'Fast Diet' Promises Weight Loss, But Is This Fad Unhea... Related Videos 1:54 'Fast Diet' Promises Weight Loss, But Is This Fad Unhealthy? 'Fast Diet' Pro... 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It's a fascinating article but I'm not sure how I feel about this. Three days of fasting seems almost a little extreme to me. I know I couldn't handle 3 days of fasting. I'd be falling down, walking into walls and have severe brain fog even more so than usual. I'd be very interested to hear what your wife had to say about this, Joe, as it relates to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Intrepid's detailed and evidence-supported statement settles it. Very helpful comment and contribution. The matter is closed to any further (or former) discussion. --John of Ohio
Besides not being sure it would work, I have hypoglycemia and can't go more than 3-4 hours w/o eating, so I have to pass.
Well here is an article written by the same journalist that would be of some interest to those thinking of fasting, especially you singles out there. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/10878892/Hungry-men-crave-bigger-women-study-finds.html
HAHA! That was hilarious. “For women then generally prefer a slightly heavier man. “In studies, they hadn’t eaten for about six hours and you could see a real difference in their preferences.” Umm...no, I don't think it works that way
Hello there LuLu--- good to see you around. My wife has been in Chicago for the past week or so at the ASCO conference and a little break, and I am at the Ocean. Haven't talked to her in a few days, just a few texts here and there. I would assume she would tell us to eat lots of veggies and fruit along with fish and chicken. I will email her the article tonight and see if she has heard anything about this.
Excellent....thanks BD. I'm anxious to hear her thoughts on this article and maybe whether or not she's known anyone who has tried this.
People on this forum have tried much more extreme measures than fasting for 3 days to find relief. At least it doesn't require surgery or prescription drugs or shots of poison into the ear. You don't need a doctors permission either. I would think that our ancestors went through times of fasting more than once in their lifetime. If I had tried several other treatments and was still suffering from MD, I would sure give it a shot, at least I would try to. I have never come close to fasting so I'm not really sure how uncomfortable it would be. I could go 3 days without my ice cream. I think.
Why? I've fasted for two days for various medical test. Some people fast for religious reasons. I don't see it as a far fetched idea.
My feelings too. I'm willing to try anything to stop this. I'm getting over surgery now which seems to have also provoked a bad spell so maybe now is not the time. But as soon as I can I'm giving this a go.
geez don't we suffer enough went through lent once giving up beer for 20 days and caffeine the last 20 brutal
didn't mean to step on any toes definitely tongue in cheek hope it works! gotta have a sense of humor dealing with this madness