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Article about fasting to reset immune system

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/18/2016 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
I read an article recently which suggested that a three day fast can possibly help reset the immune system, even in the elderly or immune compromised (like cancer patients). However, while the article reference research being done, it did not provide links to anything scientific like a published study to back this up.

Has anyone heard this, tried it, asked their doctor about it, etc.? I'm a skeptic and generally think that things that sound like fads are just that, but at the same time trying to keep an open mind. :-)

Although a three day fast would be hard since I love to eat, maybe a 1 or 2 day fast? I also would think that having no food to process would give the gut time to heal...

Here is a link to the article: www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/03/12/fasting-for-three-days-can-regenerate-entire-immune-system-study/

Edit: Apparently the forum does not like quotes in subject line - tried to edit it.
Posted 7/18/2016 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
there are in fact different opinions on fasting, i've read it can be harmful to an organism. However, i've never tried it myself (i am underweight although i eat a lot). So to fast or not to fast? that is the question i'll probably never solve :)
Posted 7/18/2016 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
and feasting is better than fasting :)
Posted 7/19/2016 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
I've fasted and seen no benefit to my overall condition. It always helps me while I am doing it because less in equals less out.
Posted 7/19/2016 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
while i don't thinking an occasional fast is a bad thing, i don't see how it would be of much benefit to most folks with UC -

as far as resetting the immune system, ya, i don't see that happening in 3 days -
Posted 7/19/2016 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
I did IF, intermittent fasting, couple years ago when flaring very badly, and it was helpful, gave my gut a rest and fewer symptoms (which came back after). I also am a food-lover and never thought I could go long without eating but it was not that hard,as long as there is plenty of water. Did it help get me to remission? Yes, had a part in it but diet mod. was also very necessary.

People who are afraid of food because of UC symptoms should be very careful with fasting, it could put them in a bad place, mentally and physically.
Posted 7/19/2016 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
I did some more googling and found the actual scientific publication the article was based on if anyone is interested.

Prolonged fasting reduces IGF-1/PKA to promote hematopoietic-stem-cell-based regeneration and reverse immunosuppression.
Posted 7/19/2016 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Here is an informative article on intermittent fasting:

chriskresser.com/could-you-benefit-from-intermittent-fasting/

There are many benefits. I personally have found a daily routine of not eating between 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. to be helpful. I am under weight so I don't do it to lose weight but to shift my metabolism towards burning triglycerides (mine are very high).

best.
Posted 7/19/2016 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Fasting does give the colon a break, this is often a first line of treatment in Scandinavian countries for treatment. However, I'm not sure how fasting would reset the immune system?

Sue
Posted 7/19/2016 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
My old thread on fasting, more info if you wish to read.
Old Mike
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=3098763
Posted 7/19/2016 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Before I knew I had UC and I would get intermittent diarrhea flares, the only way I could stop them and go back to normal function was by starving myself for about 5 days. Only drinking water for about 3 days then gradually adding in broth later.
Posted 7/19/2016 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
I m a muslim and we have a month called ramadan where we fast for the whole month. We fast from about 4 am til night time ( sun goes down). Even with my uc i have fasted but it usually causes my uc to get worse once i was even feeling great but then i started fasting and all hell broke loose. But i do notice u may go less to the bm due to less food.
Posted 7/19/2016 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting, here is someone else who indicates Ramadan fasting put him into remission.
Old Mike
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=2360894
Posted 7/19/2016 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
What constitutes "fasting"? Is it water only or liquids only including veggie juice and broth? The article did not really define "fasting" and when I did IF it was liquids only including broth and juice (not fruit juice) and only 18 hours at a time not 72 hours.

Guessing that in order to fool the immune system to reset itself it would be water only.
I am intrigued and may try it later this summer when we have no company and I have 3 days to devote to it with no exercise/sports planned.
Posted 7/20/2016 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
OK looking up google it says fasting is water only and up to 200 cal/day.
Now have to see how many calories chicken broth is :-)
Posted 7/20/2016 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
We have heard of many withholding food and none have had their immune system reset. If it were a proven treatment, it would be one we all share and use.
No food in, not much out....pretty much it. It wont heal the colon, but a break it might give...more one's anus than colon.

q
Posted 7/20/2016 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
We have heard of many withholding food and none have had their immune system reset. If it were a proven treatment, it would be one we all share and use.
No food in, not much out....pretty much it. It wont heal the colon, but a break it might give...more one's anus than colon.

q
Posted 7/21/2016 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
If I have a bad IBS day now due to poor food choices, I'll skip any food whatsoever from when symptoms hit all the way to the next evening. Just water and/or some juice/water blend. As Imagardener says it gives the gut a rest. Works wonderfully for me.
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