Fasting, the practice used by numerous cultures
across the world is also known as a quick weight loss method. However, a new
study argues that the act of consciously depriving oneself of food and drink
for at least 24 hours could help the body to fight off disease.
Scientists at the University of Southern California believe that refraining
from food for two days can regenerate the immune system, thus helping the body
to fight infection. The findings published last year in the June 5 issue of the
Cell Stem Cell could have massive implications not only for the elderly,
but also for people suffering from damaged immune systems, such as cancer
patients. The study was supported by the National Institute of Aging of the
National Institutes of Health.
Researchers tested the effects of fasting for two to four day periods over
the course of half a year on mice and humans. In Phase 1, long periods of not
eating drastically lowered white blood cell counts. Both mice and humans were
receiving chemotherapy at the time of the trial.
By tracing how prolonged fasting cycles kill damaged and older immune cells
and generate new ones, the study’s findings might prove beneficial for
chemotherapy tolerance, as well as for those with immune system deficiencies.
Corresponding author Valter Longo, director of the USC Longevity Institute,
said that the team could not anticipate that prolonged fasting would have such
an extraordinary effect in encouraging stem cell-based regeneration of the
hematopoietic system. Hematopoietic stem cells are responsible for the
generation of blood and immune systems.
Professor Longo explained that, when a person starves, the system tries to
save energy and one of the methods it uses is to recycle a lot of the immune
cells that are not needed, particularly those that may be damaged. The team
started noticing in both its human and animal work that the white blood cell
count drops with prolonged fasting. The blood cells come back when the person
re-feeds.
Prolonged fasting has a double advantage: it forces the body to use stores
of glucose, ketones and fat, but at the same time it also breaks down a
meaningful portion of white blood cells. Professor Longo also claimed that if a
person whose system was heavily damaged by chemotherapy or aging starts fasting
cycles, a new immune system can be generated.
According to co-author Tanya Dorff, the findings of the study indicate that
“fasting may mitigate some of the harmful effects of chemotherapy.” However,
any such dietary intervention should be done “only under the guidance of a
physician.” Ms Dorff also emphasized the need to conduct more clinical studies.
Researchers are currently carrying out further studies to investigate the
connection between diet and stem cell regeneration. The team is exploring the
possibility that these effects are applicable not only to the immune system,
but to many different systems and organs, Professor Longo concluded.
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