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, which fight off infection.
The immune system is something that is highly misunderstood not just by everyday people but also by the many conventional doctors who we depend on for health advice.
Most people resort to things like synthetic vitamins and medicines (ignoring better natural alternatives) to deal with colds and improve immunity, but the cycle of sickness always seems to continue.
For people with compromised immune systems, there are many natural options, and now researchers have discovered what could well be one of the best ways to reset and recharge your immune system; one that happens to be free and is believed to work even in the elderly as well.
Three Days to a Whole New Immune System
According to researchers at the University of Southern California, the act of fasting for as little as three days can regenerate the entire immune system, even in elderly people.
The researchers said that fasting helps the body’s stem cells to begin producing new white blood cells, which help to fight off infection.
They added that the discovery could be especially effective for people suffering from damaged immune systems, including chemotherapy patients, who were protected from the toxic impacts of the treatment during the fasting period (note: we personally don’t recommend chemotherapy; consult a holistic doctor for more information).
Stem cells – Cells with the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and to give rise to specialized cells.
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.
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Flipping a “Regenerative Switch”
As the researchers noted, the act of fasting for as little as three days can regenerate the entire immune system, even in elderly people.
“Fasting gives the ‘OK’ for stem cells to go ahead and begin proliferating and rebuild the entire system,” Prof. Valter Longo, Professor of Gerontology and the Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California, told the UK’s The Telegraph.
He added that the body actually removed parts that were damaged, old or inefficient during the fasting process, creating “literally, a new immune system.”
According to Dr. Longo a person’s system recycles unneeded immune cells, especially damaged ones, in order to create energy while they are fasting.
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.
Over the course of his study’s trials, participants were asked to regularly fast between 2-4 days over a 6 month period.
The study was released in June and Dr. Longo said that clinical trials must still be completed, but added that the research looks “very promising.”
You can read the full study in the journal ‘Cell Stem Cell’ by clicking here.
sources:
Nick Meyer, 08 December 2014, AltHealthWorks.com
Sarah Knapton, Science Correspondent, 05 Jun 2014, The Telegraph
Note: This text is for informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before fasting.
So fascinating!
Hello:
I noticed you admitted my comment for this article,
but not my comment for the Ayahuasca article.
And I’m wondering why that is?
And why am I not surprised that you chose not to?
Dear Mia,
The comments are admitted manually and that takes its time. I’d kindly suggest you to not assume. You are of course entitled to think whatever it pleases you.