Fasting started as a religious practice, especially during the period of Lent. It incorporates abstaining from certain or all kinds of food and focusing on penance. However, in the current scenario, it has developed into more or less a fad; a way of losing weight fast by starving yourself. But a new study revealed that fasting for 72 hours can reset your entire immune system.
There have been many debates on the benefits of fasting and whether or not they are enough to overlook the potential hazards that it entails. But one thing is sure: people aiming to lose weight have definitely given this a try, at least once in their lives.
One of the main reasons why it affects everyone so differently and why it is still a matter of controversy- is because everyone’s body is different. We all react to a diet differently and so till now it has been impossible to say to what extent fasting is helpful or harmful.
Read The Scientific Effects Of Fasting On The Body
Those who are staunch supporters of fasting argue that weight loss is not the only aim/benefit of fasting. It has also been shown to bring down the insulin levels in people who have insulin sensitivity, as well as bringing down the levels of triglycerides in our body.
And most strangely of all, it has been shown to considerably slow down the signs of aging. In fact, fasting is no longer just a crass exercise where a person just stops his or her intake of food. It has been developed into various regimens or fasting plans. Each with their own set of rules and time limits.
For instance, the intermittent fasting method involves eating all your required calories within 6-8 hours and then avoiding food for the rest of the day. And there is also fasting plans which involve not eating anything for an extended period of 2-3 days. Now all these fasting regimens are different and there are experts out there who determine what you need. In short, there is no one size fits all description which might do the trick.
On the other side, there are also those who warn against the dangers of this quick fix. Many nutritionists believe that fasting does more harm than good because it also stops the intake of healthy nutrients in the body. Because fasting means that you are not only abstaining from potato chips and other fried foods but also necessary components of the food groups such as vegetables, fruits, lean meat and healthy fats. Not to mention that when you deprive your body (and mind) of everything, you run the risk of going on a rebound, eating anything and everything that you get your hands on.
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This sort of binge eating is very common after a fasting routine and sadly for many who start in the first place with a view to losing weight, end up gaining weight.
But, a new research might move all these concerns to the side once it has been verified with enough tests and reaffirmations.
This particular research was carried out at the University of Southern California and its findings are enough to make everyone stop and take notice. For the purpose of this study, participants were asked to fast for a period of 2-4 days, regularly, for an observation period of 6 months.
Well, this was the first leg of the experiment and the results seem to be very promising. It was observed that the participants had lowered productions of the PKA enzyme in their body, which has been associated with cancer and tumor growth risks. Not just that, it was also observed that the immune system of those who fasting for 72 hours seemed to have undergone a complete reboot.
Well, it was observed that during the period of fasting, the white blood cell count dropped significantly. And when the body was fed with healthy diet post-fasting, new white blood cells were formed which were healthier. When the body is fasting it starts using what it has in store for producing energy. This means that the stored up glucose, ketones, and fat gets used up.
Also, trying to conserve the energy, the body starts breaking down the immune cells which it feels are not needed. Of course, in such a termination, the first ones to go are the damaged or unhealthy cells. A 72 hour period of fasting was enough to trigger these changes.
Then, as the body is slowly re fed with a proper nutritional diet, it starts producing new cells, which are healthier and better equipped to take on the role of defending the body against harm.
If this theory of fasting for 72 hours can be proven with further research and more study, it will come as a god sent a gift for those who struggle with susceptibility to diseases and a comparatively weakened immune system.
Those who have been undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy which is known to damage the white blood cells or who have a weak immune system owing to old age too will be able to draw benefits from this.
The process is as fascinating as the result. It is as if by starving your body, you have given it a command to start the regeneration of the hematopoietic system based on the stem-cells regeneration.
Read The Effect of Stress on the Immune System (And How to Relax Naturally)
Of course, if this is proven right that will be great news for people who suffer from a weak immune system owing to one reason or the other. So far the study has been shown to have positive conclusions both in human and animal subjects. But something of this magnitude cannot be taken to be the gospel truth on the basis of a few isolated studies.
There needs to be a lot more research in this area for the experts to arrive at a concrete result. Even if that happens, fasting for periods as long as 72 hours remains a dangerous process that should only be undertaken when you have expert supervision. Matters of diet and health should be left to the nutritionists and medical professionals and not done as an amateur.
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