Who knew fasting was healthy?
There are a good number of useful ancient health practices.
Researchers discovered the first evidence of fasting as a natural intervention, leading to cell-based regeneration in the body.
Scientists from the University of Southern California showed cycles of prolonged fasting protecting the human body against immune system damage, and inducing immune system regeneration.
They discovered that fasting tells cells to wake up and start self-renewal.
Researchers conducted human clinical trials on chemotherapy patients. Prolonged fasting lowered the white blood cell counts.
According to Valter Longo, the author of the research, “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.”
Longo added, “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.”
Since the white blood cell counts become lower, the human body triggers cell-based regeneration to make new immune system cells. More importantly, this occurrence lessens the PKA enzyme linked to aging, tumor growth, and cancer progression.
Co-author Tanya Dorff explained, “Chemotherapy 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.”
Fasting is a tradition in many cultures, but it shouldn’t be confused with starvation. Fasting is the process of restraint from the sensorial experience of eating food while making sure you’re doing it correctly.
Make sure when you fast, drink plenty of water, and don’t starve yourself to death.
Aimee Harris-Newon, Psy.D., D.A.B.P.S., C.Ht