By fasting for 30 days can stimulate the production of new white blood cells. It underlies the regeneration of the entire immune system. Conditions with the regenerated immune system will further strengthen the body in warding off various bacterial and viral infections and other diseases.
The science suggests that, if you can do it, a prolonged fast for 2-3 days will induce your body to clean out some old immune cells and switch on production of new ones. Now we're learning that intermittent fasting, which is easier to do, may work in much the same way, with multiple health benefits.
Now the question is, how long should you fast? Valter Longo, one of the world's leading authorities on fasting, recommends 48-72 hour fasting to enhance the immune system. With this longer fast, the body eats up the old immune cells and regenerates new immune cells.
'Reset' or kickstart your immune system
While some researchers recommend fasting for 24-48 hours to stimulate an immune system reset,[vii] I prefer regular intermittent fasting (14-16 hours daily). It provides many of the same benefits without the discomfort of a longer fast.
Fasting has previously been suggested as a useful approach for preventing or managing chronic diseases such as cancer, obesity and heart disease – but results from mouse studies show prolonged fasts may impair the immune system.
Intermittent fasting—a meal schedule that alternates between normal eating patterns and brief but frequent full fasts (or restricted caloric intake)—is an effective method for stimulating autophagy and improving immune system resilience (image: Sendo Serra/ Shutterstock).
Together, these findings suggest that fasting no matter prior to or after wound injury is capable of accelerating wound repair and regeneration. Nevertheless, fasting before wounding is likely to be more beneficial to wound healing than fasting after wounding.
Perhaps the biggest reason to try the 3 day or longer fast is to help unlock the full power of autophagy. This cell recycling process takes longer than the common intermittent fasting time periods. Fasting for 16 hours might not be enough to result in autophagy.
So if you can make it through Day 2, it's better for your long-term fasting habit that you make it to day 3 so you start feeling much better and end on a positive note. 3-day fasts are great, because they are short enough that you can fit it into your schedule pretty regularly, depending on your goals.
Decrease body fat. Preserve lean body mass. Increase Stem Cell production/release. Maintain healthy levels of fasting blood glucose, BP, Cholesterol, Triglycerides, C-reactive protein, IGF-1.
Healing rejuvenation.
Fasting puts your body through a rejuvenation experience. It dissolves diseased cells, leaving only healthy tissue. There's also a noticeable redistribution of nutrients in the body.
Mount Sinai study shows fasting can trigger a negative effect on fighting infection on a cellular level in mouse models. Fasting may be detrimental to fighting off infection, and could lead to an increased risk of heart disease, according to a new study by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
It was the best fasted workout of my life. Once you've been fasting for three days or more, your body enters a deep state of ketosis. All the previous benefits: Autophagy, the uptick in the production of beneficial chemicals and hormones, fat loss, and mental clarity continue to increase.
The benefits of a 14- to 18-hour fast
For many people, somewhere between 14 and 18 hours of fasting per day is the ideal range, providing more significant weight loss benefits than a 12-hour fast, while still being attainable, says functional practitioner B.J. Hardick, D.C.
Fasting for a week may result in adverse health and metabolic changes such as dehydration, a loss of lean muscle mass, hyperuricemia, hyponatremia, protein-sparing, sodium, and potassium-sparing, decreased serum calcium and magnesium levels, and acidic urine.
Many medical experts agree that a one-day fast can feel great. But extending beyond three days can begin to cause harm, especially if you have other medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. “A fast longer than a day or two can deplete vitamins, minerals and electrolytes,” Dr. Hopkins says.
The benefits of a 16-hour fasting schedule are the same as a 12-hour fasting. They include weight loss, aid in the cellular repair process, improved sleep, improved digestion, increased mental health and clarity, and reduced insulin resistance.
So, does a 3-day fast truly reset your immune system? The science suggests that, if you can do it, a prolonged fast for 3 days or longer may induce your body to clean out some old immune cells and switch on production of new ones.
Fasting for longer than 3 days should only be carried out after seeking the advice of a medical professional. Fasting can be mentally and physically tiring, so people must carefully prepare themselves by: eating well before the fast, with foods that are high in energy.
Scientist have long known that periodic fasting can help promote a range of health benefits including reducing the severity of chronic inflammation, immune system regeneration, alleviating side effects of chemotherapy and even promote longevity.
Some studies suggest intermittent fasting, which involves restricting food intake for specific periods, may improve joint pain and other RA symptoms. However, it isn't right for everyone.