Fasting and Immune Health

Can fasting affect immune health? In this article, we discuss the importance of a healthy immune system and the various ways fasting can have an effect on it.

Immune System Defined

The immune system protects the body from attack by foreign substances such as toxins, viruses, pathogens, and bacteria. This layer of protection is provided by a vast array of proteins and cells that work together to keep the body healthy. The immune system consists of the following components: the lymphatic system, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, white blood cells, antibodies, and the complement system.

Signs of a Weak Immune System

It’s critical a person recognizes the signs of a weak immune system. The following ailments could signal the immune system is compromised, especially if they are recurring:

• Lung infections
• Respiratory ailments
• Bacterial infections
• Skin issues
• Swelling in the bronchial tubes
• Inflammation
• Blood disorders
• Stunted (or delayed) growth in children
• Digestive problems

By knowing the potential symptoms of a compromised immune system, a person can take the appropriate steps to strengthen it. Instead of simply taking medication to relieve their symptoms, the focus is placed directly on the root cause, which increases the probability of healing.

Fasting Defined

In its simplest terms, fasting means to abstain from consuming any food for 12 hours or more. Water is typically the only beverage consumed, while some opt to add coffee or tea to their fasting program. Fasting has been used for thousands of years to heal and strengthen the body in a variety of ways, physically, mentally and spiritually.

Fasting and the Immune System

When a person fasts, the body is forced to use glucose and stored body fat for energy. As the fast continues, the use of stored fat for energy causes the body to go into ketosis. These ketones become the main source of energy for both the brain and the body.

In addition to body fat and glucose, the body will begin to use sick and damaged cells for energy, or they will be removed from the body altogether. As these cells are disposed of, healthy new cells are formed, which includes infection-fighting white blood cells. This process leads many to believe fasting helps strengthen the immune system.

Studies indicate the various ways fasting can impact the immune system:

Resistance to toxins. Studies indicate fasting for 48-120 hours can activate pathways that stimulate a cellular resistance to stress and toxins in both humans and mice. Researchers concluded the longer fasts are more effective than shorter fasts or calorie restriction due to the body’s need to switch to burning fat and ketones after glycogen stores in the body have been depleted.¹

Decrease disease risks. Intermittent fasting has been shown to assist the immune system in decreasing the progression of increasing blood sugar levels and improving cardiovascular health. Studies on lab mice found that fasting also increased longevity, reduced disease, and improved overall health.²

Decrease age-related diseases. As people age, their immune system functionality tends to decline. Per various studies, fasting may have the potential to prevent many age-related diseases, including autoimmunity. Researchers believe this is accomplished by possibly delaying the aging process.³

Intermittent Fasting Tips

There are several ways to fast. Here are a few tips:

Fast for 12 hours per day. Ideal for those new to fasting, time sleeping can be included in the 12-hour fasting window. For example, if a person fasts from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. their last meal in the evening is at 8 p.m. and the next meal is at 8 a.m.

The 16 Hour Fast. Also known as the 16:8 fast, this fast lasts for 16 hours, allowing an 8-hour eating window with a focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods.

Note: In each of these fasting examples, water is consumed throughout the day to keep the body hydrated. Also, water can help the body feel full during the fast, which could decrease feelings of hunger.

Fasting 2 days per week. This type of fast consists of eating a normal (healthy) diet 5 days of the week while fasting the other two days. The fasting days are normally 2-3 days apart.

Alternate day fasting. Alternate day fasting means to fast consuming 500 calories or less every other day. A study on alternate day fasting found that a “feed day” alternated with a “fast day” of 25% energy intake was effective for weight loss and cardioprotection in obese individuals. Thirty-two participants in the study on alternative fasting lost an average of 11 pounds in a 12 week period.⁴

Weekly 24 hour fast. During a weekly 24 hour fast, no food is consumed for 24 consecutive hours. An example of this is eating dinner at 7 p.m. and not eating again until 7 p.m. the next day.

Block fast. Block fasting can be defined as not consuming any food for 36 hours or more. During this time, the digestive system shuts down and the body begins to focus on healing itself from the inside. During longer fasts, drinking sufficient amounts of water daily is critical, as well as maintaining proper electrolyte levels.

While there are several ways to fast, studies indicate fasting is an efficient way to decrease body weight, and decrease lipoprotein and triglyceride levels⁵. Each of these can play a vital role in the health of the immune system.

Note: Many medications must be taken with food consulting with a doctor before attempting a fast is strongly advised.

Top Immune Systems Foods to Eat and Avoid

The foods consumed when not fasting can have a direct impact on immune system health as well. Here are the top foods to eat and avoid for the immune system:

Immune Boosting Products

In addition to fasting, natural products are available to help strengthen the immune system:

TCF - CytoDefend - Immune Support* (Super Concentrated)- 0.5 fl oz. - 5 PACK

TCF - CytoDefend - Immune Support* contains a powerful combination of extracts that support the immune system:

• Zinc sulfate
• Ascorbic acid 
• Licorice root
• Astragalus root
• Echinacea herb
• Elderberry fruit
• Bupleurum root

This product comes in liquid form, with the precise ratios of each nutrient added for maximum benefit. Just 1-2 droppers per serving will provide the immune system with the added boost it needs.

TCF – CellRenu – 60 capsules

Stem cells are believed to play a pivotal role in maintaining vitality as a person ages. TCF – CellRenew supports the body’s natural regenerative abilities with its stem-cell enhancement product. This product assists the body in keeping ideal amounts of stem cells, helping it to maximize its overall health and performance. The herbs in TCF – CellRenew has been noted to promote and stimulate healthy stem cell functions in the body.

TCF -Fastonic Cellular Molecular Hydrogen Supplement - 60 tablets

TCF -Fastonic Cellular Molecular Hydrogen Supplement is a top fasting supplement, providing H2 (molecular hydrogen) to the body. Its benefits include the following:

• Supports the various fasting symptoms and protocols
• Helps stabilize cholesterol levels
• Helps decrease age-related weight gain
• Increase healing rate from soft tissue injuries
• Neutralize free radicals
• Decrease exercise induced fatigue
• Support mental clarity and cognitive function 

Summary

Every day, the immune system protects the body from a variety of bacteria, viruses, and pathogens. The immune system is the first line of defense against illness and disease, and a compromised immune system can increase the probability of becoming ill when encountering these dangerous invaders. Studies indicate fasting can help stimulate the production of disease-fighting white blood cells, as well as improve the overall health of the immune system. By incorporating fasting and consuming nutrient-dense foods that help strengthen the immune system, a person is one step closer to achieving and maintaining good health.

References

1. Cheng CW, Adams GB, Perin L, Wei M, Zhou X, (et al). Prolonged Fasting Reduces IGF-1/PKA To Promote Hematopoietic-Stem-Cell-Based Regeneration And Reverse Immunosuppression. Cell Stem Cell. 2014 Jun 5;14(6):810-23. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2014.04.014. Erratum in: Cell Stem Cell. 2016 Feb 4;18(2):291-2. [PMID: 24905167; PMCID]: PMC4102383. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4102383/

2. Cheng CW, Adams GB, Perin L (et al). Prolonged Fasting Reduces IGF-1/PKA To Promote Hematopoietic-Stem-Cell-Based Regeneration And Reverse Immunosuppression. Cell Stem Cell. 2014 Jun 5;14(6):810-23. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2014.04.014. Erratum in: Cell Stem Cell. 2016 Feb 4;18(2):291-2. [PMID: 24905167]; PMCID: PMC4102383.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4257368/

3. Choi IY, Lee C, Longo VD. Nutrition and fasting-mimicking diets in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases and immunosenescence. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2017 Nov 5;455:4-12. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.01.042. Epub 2017 Jan 28. [PMID: 28137612]; PMCID: PMC5862044.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5862044/

4. Varady KA, Bhutani S, Klempel MC(et al). Alternate Day Fasting For Weight Loss In Normal Weight And Overweight Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutr J. 2013 Nov 12;12(1):146. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-12-146. [PMID: 24215592]; PMCID: PMC3833266.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3833266/

5. Ganesan K, Habboush Y, Sultan S. Intermittent Fasting: The Choice for a Healthier Lifestyle. Cureus. 2018 Jul 9;10(7):e2947. doi: 10.7759/cureus.2947. [PMID: 30202677]; PMCID: PMC6128599. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6128599/