Although it may have been 3 years old but a study in 2014 hit upon an amazing discovery that found that seventy-two hours fasting regenerates the immune system. The findings have been observed even in the elderly and scientists called it a fascinating and remarkable discovery.
In the same breath, nutritionists and doctors worldwide have criticized fasting diets as they are detrimental to health but this particular one was targeted at cancer patients suffering under the effects of chemo where such a diet was found to regenerate their immune system.
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According to research from a small study conducted at the University of South California, it was found that fasting and starving the body kick-starts stem cells which produce new white blood cells to regenerate the immune systems and fight infection. They found that the practice benefitted cancer patients on chemo. It could also benefit the aged whose immune system degenerates making it harder to fight disease.
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According to the study, fasting actually switches on a regenerative switch in the body prompting stem cells to produce brand new white blood cells. This regenerated the entire immune system. Basically, the process 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.
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There is huge controversy on the issue of fasting diets as it also invites the risks of potential health hazards. However, supporters of fasting say that it normalizes insulin, reduces triglyceride levels, and slows down ageing. Fasting diets range from intermittent fasting of 14 to 18 hours to other forms of fasting. On the other hand, nutritionists argue that fasting leads to acidity problems, loss of nutrients and deprives the body of healthy vegetables, lean protein and fats.
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The research conducted at the University of South California has put this debate in the forefront providing food for thought on the pros and cons of fasting. The study involved a group of participants that were asked to fast for 2-4 days regularly for 6 months. During the period, the participants underwent various tests in which researchers found some remarkable results.
“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.
The researchers observed that there was a marked decrease in the production of an enzyme called PKA which was a hormone that increased cancer risk and tumor growth. Even the immune system was given a complete overhaul. Professor Longo remarked that the study recorded a decrease in white blood cell with fasting on a prolonged period. Once you start eating again, the blood cells return and this is the question the researchers had as the foremost on their minds. Said Longo “So, we started thinking, well, where does it come from?”
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The study according to the researchers and Doctor Longo is extremely promising for patients especially those under chemotherapy whose immune systems were depleted making them susceptible to disease. It could also prove helpful for aged people with low immunity.
According to the research, fasting initiated a switch in the body which signalled a “stem-cell based regeneration of the hematopoietic system.” In the condition of fasting, the body depletes its glucose stores, fats and ketones. It also broke down the white blood cells which then forced the body to regenerate its immune system.
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According to Longo, when a body is in starvation mode, it attempts to save energy and one of the ways to do this is to recycle the immune cells that aren’t necessary at that time. This includes majorly those that could be damaged. 72 hours of fasting regenerates the immune system and reverts the harmful effects of chemotherapy.
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Fasting for 72 hours also protected cancer patients against the toxic impact of chemotherapy. According to Tanya Doruff Assistant professor of clinical medicine at the UC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital. "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,"
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Although the study has provided remarkable results, researchers and medical professionals feel that more research is required to project the suggestions of 72 hours fasting as a valid option to regenerate immunity. Doctor Dorff concluded by saying that “More clinical studies are needed, and any such dietary intervention should be undertaken only under the guidance of a physician.”
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Chris Mason, Professor of Regenerative Medicine at UCL felt that the study was interesting where fasting seems to reduce the size and quantity of cells and then eating after 72 hours saw a rebound of the same. “That could be potentially useful because that is not such a long time that it would be terribly harmful to someone with cancer”
However, he also felt that the ideal way for such procedures would be to combine them with the prescribed drugs and that fasting wasn’t a very good idea as people would be better off eating a regular healthy diet. (Read here about the new Dash Diet that doctors around the world are recommending to people for losing weight)
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