The immune system is very complex and not completely understood by very many people, even doctors who we rely upon and depend on for medical advice at times may have no idea how to pinpoint it. It is common for people to use synthetic vitamins, minerals, and medicines to find relief for colds and to try and boost their immunity, but the sickness will still remain. Individuals who may have a dysfunctional immune system have alternative options available. Researchers at the University of Southern California suggest that they have found a way to energize and reset the immune system which is cost effective that may be beneficial.
The act of fasting for 3 consecutive days has been suggested by researchers to have the ability to reboot the entire immune system, especially in the elderly. During this study trials participants over a six month period underwent fasting for 2 to 4 days a week. Studies show that fasting aids stem cells to produce new white blood cells which help to eliminate infection. It was observed that fasting could benefit individuals with compromised immunity, as well as chemotherapy patients. Their findings concluded that fasting for 3 consecutive days can regenerate immunity, especially in the elderly.
Valter Longo, of USC Gerontology and Biological Sciences says that fasting gives the go to stems cells to begin proliferating and rebuild the entire immune system, in the process it reuses damaged cells to create energy while fasting, essentially removing useless, old, and damaged parts from the system. Adding that clinical trials still need to be done, but is optimistic that research in the future looks very promising.
