Fasting Helps Immune System after Chemo

[Donna]

Hi Amazing Group,

I thought this was pretty exciting news: here's the link the to whole article - http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0605141507.htm

and here's the opening paragraph:

Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system
Date:
June 5, 2014
Source:
University of Southern California
Summary:
In the first evidence of a natural intervention triggering stem cell-based regeneration of an organ or system, a study shows that cycles of prolonged ]fasting not only protect against immune system damage -- a major side effect of chemotherapy -- but also induce immune system regeneration, shifting stem cells from a dormant state to a state of self-renewal.

I think I will try it! can't hurt that I am also trying to lose weight!

My very best regards and wishes for each and every one of you!

Donna

[AlaskaAngel]

Hi Donna,

It is wonderful to see something scientifically and individually practical that can improve our outcome, and that can be done without any drug toxicity, at a minor cost.

If we make the most of this information, and add in staying on top of our vitamin D level, and continue to watch the progress with the use of the drug metformin for some of us, the difference for us could be genuinely significant.

A.A.

[Debbie L.]

Donna, I found this study's results to be fascinating, also, and had done some exploring for more details. Not just for during chemo, but perhaps as a regular boost for all of us.

However, it appears that the majority of the results are in mice only (so far) -- which is always a little disappointing.

I was hoping to find some details of exactly what the fasting involved -- but it appears the mice simply didn't eat for the various time frames (although I couldn't find even those specifics, does anyone else have more info?). I await more information/investigation about what kind of fasting and what duration would be best, for humans.

Thinking of this in an evolutionary perspective, it seems logical to suppose that early humans did experience dietary patterns that mimic fasting (successful hunts/gorging alternated with times of near-famine). I think some of the paleo-eating proponents mention this and use it in their various regimens.

It's also interesting to see two of the newer frontiers (metabolism and immune function) in cancer prevention and control linked together .

Debbie L.

[RedHen]

I'd like to know the precise details of fasting. The only ones I've been on were in the hospital to "rest" my GI tract for several days. I received nothing at all by mouth, but I was on IV fluids. This is very interesting to me since I have a handful of autoimmune diseases and have taken a variety of drugs that suppress the immune system.

Best wishes to everyone. Lynne