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

eurekalert.org

61–70 of 194 posts

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

#61

I've been eating once a day for the past 3.5 years and I'd read about the supposed immune system benefits. I've not had a cold/flu since then and I used to get 3-4 a year, so I'm sticking with it and I've become used to it anyway.

Another of my kind! I've been eating once a day for about 2 years now. This is obviously just anecdotal, but for me, I certainly feel more mentally alert during a fasted state; though I wouldn't say I've been sick any more / less than other times in my life. Friends think I'm quite bizarre for eating this way - but it just seems to work for me.

Friends also think it's a bit bizarre, but it works for me too and I'm used to it. Definitely feel more mentally alert - all the time, and don't get the after lunch tiredness anymore.

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

#62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm a Mormon, too, and just wanted to point out a couple of things: > we fast for 2 meals on the first Sunday of every month. Not everyone does (pregnant or nursing women, or the sick, for example (edit: or people who just don't wanna)), and not everyone fasts for that period of time. Some people in different roles in the church (what non-Mormons might call a prophetic / visionary role) are encouraged to fast more of…

"what non-Mormons might call a prophetic / visionary role" Isn't that the other way round? As a non-mormon I'm not about to call anyone prophetic/visionary.

I have heard Christians use the term "prophetic". Search Amazon for the term and you will find many books on the topic.

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

#63

>>But I think the most sensible way forward would be to synthesize this effect with drugs. I'm no naturopath, but something about this attitude really bugs me. I know in context he was cautioning against jumping to conclusions, but if there was a safe, low barrier to entry, non-drug way of achieving an effect, why would you encourage people to take a drug instead?

Fasting for three days is not a safe, low barrier to entry, way. A healthy person with no critical commitments or delicate work can do it safely, but lots of people would not. Note that one side effect observed during the protocol was fainting.

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

#64
post #35

Forget the study, people belonging to Jainism know this for centuries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism

Precisely what came to my mind! My Jain friends sometimes fast for multiple days!

I have no idea why you are being downvoted.

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

#65

I've been eating once a day for the past 3.5 years and I'd read about the supposed immune system benefits. I've not had a cold/flu since then and I used to get 3-4 a year, so I'm sticking with it and I've become used to it anyway.

Perhaps an unusual question, but how do bowel movements work for you, and was there a transition period?

Whenever I try eating once a day or a fast, I feel fine, except that without fail I have diarrhea.

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

#66

I recognize this as completely empirical evidence, so take it as that. I am a Mormon. As part of our religious observance, we fast for 2 meals on the first Sunday of every month. Also, I have fasted for the entire duration of the Muslim month of Ramadan twice now. For Mormons, food and drink is abstained starting Saturday night after dinner until Sunday night's dinner. By the time dinner rolls around Sunday night, I…

So.. per this article, shouldn't Mormons and Muslims have stronger immune systems?

I wonder if they do. Or are otherwise are more healthy because of this practice. I would be a bit surprised if this were the case, although I could be wrong.

I do notice Utah is in top 10 US states for life expectancy (no tobacco might be another reason), but it is not in the top 5. So I'm guessing fasting (and/or a religious preference) may not really produce amazing life extending benefits after all.

Edit: Although fasting does have a long history in religious tradition, it is often associated with some not-so-savory movements as well....

http://www.prem-rawat-talk.org/forum/uploads/CultCharacteris...

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

#67

I recognize this as completely empirical evidence, so take it as that. I am a Mormon. As part of our religious observance, we fast for 2 meals on the first Sunday of every month. Also, I have fasted for the entire duration of the Muslim month of Ramadan twice now. For Mormons, food and drink is abstained starting Saturday night after dinner until Sunday night's dinner. By the time dinner rolls around Sunday night, I…

I am not religious or anything, but I think some of the religious rules come from their leaders realizing that making them "rules from God" would benefit their people and give a better chance of survival: - kosher rules are pretty much there to prevent people from preparing food in unsanitary ways or eating potentially dangerous stuff (eating pork will kill you by worms growing in your gut) - the 10 commandments are…

>> - fasting on Ramadan was probably created by a religious leader who felt better after doing it himself and though it to be a good idea for everybody else to do it.

That religious leader would be Muhammad.

That's one way to see things and how I explain part of my belief in Islam to non-religious people: Worst case scenario, I'm just doing things that I believe are pretty smart (fasting, praying, helping the poor and oprhan, keeping a strong sense of family, etc.); best-case scenario it's actually God that told us to do those things. Actually, it's mainly because I believe all those recommendations are pretty darn smart and coherent that I believe it might well be God's message. (Muhammad was an illiterate shepherd after all, hardly who you'd expected to come with these things)

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

#68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"what non-Mormons might call a prophetic / visionary role" Isn't that the other way round? As a non-mormon I'm not about to call anyone prophetic/visionary.

I have heard Christians use the term "prophetic". Search Amazon for the term and you will find many books on the topic.

Are mormons not christians?

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

#69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"what non-Mormons might call a prophetic / visionary role" Isn't that the other way round? As a non-mormon I'm not about to call anyone prophetic/visionary.

By "call," maybe you are inferring belief but I mean it with no belief and even plenty of skepticism implied.

Can you separate belief from labelling someone prohpetic/visionary? I label a dog a dog because I believe it's a dog. I don't call a cat a dog with plenty of skepticism. I'm not going to give anyone the label of prophetic/visionary, even with plenty of skepticism. As a non-mormon I consider the prophetic/visionary concept to be fiction, and won't use it on anyone because I don't consider it possible - skepticism doesn't even begin to enter the equation - and labelling someone as something I consider them not to be would be odd. I might just as well label them president.

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

#70

>>But I think the most sensible way forward would be to synthesize this effect with drugs. I'm no naturopath, but something about this attitude really bugs me. I know in context he was cautioning against jumping to conclusions, but if there was a safe, low barrier to entry, non-drug way of achieving an effect, why would you encourage people to take a drug instead?

That quote goes on to beg the question:

> "I am not sure fasting is the best idea. People are better eating on a regular basis."

The exact issue at stake is whether people are better when eating on a regular basis!

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