Research published by the University of Southern California has shown that prolonged fasting can lead to regeneration of the cells of your immune system. When we begin to fast, the body initially breaks down a number of immune fighting white blood cells. It instinctively knows to start saving energy and one way it does this is by killing off old or damaged immune cells. However, it quickly adjusts and triggers the regeneration of new cells, therefore increasing the number of immune boosting cells that we have. This discovery led to further research into intermittent fasting; a fast that lasts for 16 hours a day or more. Research found that cells in the body that support the immune response and attack invading pathogens leave the blood stream when we stop eating as the nutrient content becomes low. They migrate to bone marrow, which is nutrient dense, where they begin to regenerate and become supercharged, and as a result better protect the body from infection.
As fasting will last around 12.5 hours this year, the effects of prolonged fasting may not be seen, but there are things you can do to support your immune system. It is important to eat the right types of food after dusk, containing certain key vitamins and nutrients, as they can have a direct effect on our immunity and help fight certain illnesses. Just as importantly, eating the wrong things can weaken the immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to attack from germs and viruses.
We must acknowledge that the body’s immune system develops and strengthens as a result of nurture and care over the course of different stages of life, which begins as early as the fetal stage. There are ways to boost immunity:
