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Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)

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Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)

#161
post #24

Donating blood has a very similar "boost" effect, and also helps save lives.

Unless the act of donating blood releases some endorphins because you're helping someone else, then this is just bloodletting or phlebotomy, which is considered pseudoscience by the medical community. [1] https://books.google.com/books?id=vH1EAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT293&dq=b...

So is fasting :) Some researches that I've heard of suggest that after the initial significant drop in a total number of lymphocytes, about 2 weeks after the blood donation body will restore the previous immunological status. This is obviously done by generating new leukocytes, which is similar to the effect of fasting: when you start eating normal after the fasting period body will regenerate it's blood cells. The suggested gain here is not "a boost" of immune system, but getting rid of damaged, mutated cells.

Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)

#162
post #92
post #90

Well, Islam gave the concept of 3 days fasting every month 1500 years ago and called "Ayyam Beez" and many Muslims have been practising it in every generation. Glad to know that science also discovered it.

Interesting, why isn't it as popular as Ramadan? I could barely find anything about it online.

It's not popular as Ramadan because it's not a must. Its called "ayaam albeed" which translates to "white days". It's called that because the moon is full on those three Days (13, 14 and 15th of each moon calendar month). The fast is from dawn to sunset and you are not allowed to drink water during that period.

[1] https://pearlsofamuslim.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/white-da...

Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)

#163

If I were to fast for that long, should I ingest anything other than water? Some vitamin supplements for example? Or maybe a bit of salt? Or is it really only water?

Ingesting anything will ruin the fast. Even brushing your teeth becomes tricky, as toothpaste can ruin everything. I ended up using a salt water solution (and an electric tooth brush) to do the job, but in hindsight, I could've used something like ToothSoap. It's extremely important to rinse the mouth thoroughly, so you don't swallow anything. It is possible to run low on vitamins (depending on how long you go). If i…

Do you have any sources for "ingesting anything will ruin the fast"?

Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)

#164

Do they literally mean zero intake of calories for 72 hours? That sounds like a long time. How do you prepare for that nutrition wise and mentally? People eat at night during the ramadan.

If you have regularly eaten well for some time before (i.e. no junk food but real food) you probably (?) have a sufficient store of nutrients to keep your system running for 72 hours. The important question to me: Does drinking coffee (black without sugar naturally) blow the supposedly positive effects of the fast?

> Does drinking coffee (black without sugar naturally) blow the supposedly positive effects of the fast?

I curious about this and the effect of zero calorie soft drinks.

Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)

#165

Do they literally mean zero intake of calories for 72 hours? That sounds like a long time. How do you prepare for that nutrition wise and mentally? People eat at night during the ramadan.

If you have regularly eaten well for some time before (i.e. no junk food but real food) you probably (?) have a sufficient store of nutrients to keep your system running for 72 hours. The important question to me: Does drinking coffee (black without sugar naturally) blow the supposedly positive effects of the fast?

As a coffee addict and someone who fasts I keep looking into this. Strictly speaking a fast is supposed to allow a period of detox for the body so coffee isn't really a good idea.

That said it doesn't break your fast since it has a trace calorie content (provided no milk and sugar). After all some proponents of fasting recommend water with lemons or apple cider vinegar (for killing bio films/candida effects). I can't imagine coffee would be that different to lemon water calorie wise.

Pros and cons - if no coffee makes your fast unbearable have some (I always do), but ideally you're looking to consume only water.

Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)

#166

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We are missing a lot of context - much of which you can't supply here even if you wanted to. For example, it seems entirely plausible and not exactly rocket science that not eating the wrong foods (for a given person - what "wrong" means may vary widely and wildly depending on their context!) is better than eating it. For an example (of the example), if you eat a lot of high glycemic index foods it's not hard to gues…

You are right on every point. Water fasting was not Dr. recommended but the profound positive effects were documented by the follow on tests they performed. No one seems to know why it "worked". I dunno if it is knowable at this point. But one thing I do know I was very ill and now I'm a lot better and fasting was a key reason why.

I'm reminded of Ignaz Semmelweis, the doctor associated with hand-washing. Even though he demonstrated clinically that hand-washing reduced sickness/mortality, it took decades to catch on because, "it didn't make sense." I.e., there wasn't sufficient theory to explain WHY it worked.

Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)

#167
post #103
post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So it's good for losing weight. But not anything magic compared to simply eating less?

"So it's good for losing weight. But not anything magic compared to simply eating less?" IF is a marginal step in the path of increased health and performance that you should consider, and experiment with, after you've already taken the other, progressively more important steps. So you're already exercising and maintaining a high level of fitness and athletic output. You're getting good sleep (partly due to the exerc…

But according those studies, anything past weight loss was contested.

Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)

#168
post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So it's good for losing weight. But not anything magic compared to simply eating less?

Actually from what I understood about intermittent fasting it is way better than simply eating less. I'm not a doctor but the mechanisms by which the body burns fat is that it has to send the proper signaling at a cellular level. If you listen to the video here starting at 1h03: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PdJFbjWHEU Though the video is to understand how energy is used and stored for workout reasons it explains…

Personally I have found that any consistent and conscious change in eating habits typically means losing weight. Also relatively small amount of exercise drops my weight towards ideal level and at very least helps to keep it down.

The only problem is to have good energy levels while dieting/exercising. Because that physical/mental exhaustion is the thing that stops diets. And it's doesn't even need to come from the diet itself, work stress suffices. Just that if the diet adds to total load, then it has to be the first one to go. Being unemployed is not an option.

Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)

#169
post #81

I fasted for a day when fighting with my parents. Worst thing to do since I am a Type-1 diabetic and ended up with Diabetic Ketoacidosis the next day and a near-death experience :-( Fasting is not for everyone!

Well it's pretty much for any mammal except type-1 diabetics --- plus folks taking medication for blood sugar / insulin regulation without informing themselves thoroughly beforehand and monitoring carefully.

I was an idiot and I am not proud of that! I was thinking like "I need insulin when I eat food. So since I am not eating, I don't need insulin and everything will be fine" :-(

Re: Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system (2014)

#170

Would this help with gum disease?

It's interesting you brought this up. I used to skip breakfast all the time being a late riser. My gums were in a terrible shape with constant flare ups. I couldn't figure out why since I don't smoke. A few months ago I started eating breakfast regularly and I've noticed marked improvement. Obviously this is just my personal experience and YMMV.
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