How a 3-Day Fast Resets Your Immune System

3 day fast can help rejuvenate the immune system.

The benefits of fasting are many and various. Fasting supports good health by promoting a healthy body weight, encouraging normal cognitive function, and even facilitating detoxification. Now, research has also shown that fasting may help reset the immune system.

How Does Fasting Reset the Immune System?

Like every other system in the body, the immune system is subject to wear and tear. Aging, aggressive medical therapies, oxidative stress, environmental toxins, and the like can all accelerate the degradation of immune cells.[1, 2, 3] When immune cells are weak and frail, they’re not as effective as they should be in protecting your health. This is where fasting can help.

When you fast, your body looks for nourishment everywhere it can. It goes after stored fat, but it also recycles malfunctioning or inactive cells, like those old, worn out immune system cells.[4] This cell recycling process, known as autophagy, makes room for your body to create fresh, new immune cells. It’s similar to spring cleaning, in that you declutter your body and end up with a rejuvenated immune system. Many people, especially those whose immune system is compromised, make a concerted effort to fast for a few days once or twice every six months to reset and reboot their immune system with fresh, strong cells.[5]

YouTube Video

The Stages of Fasting - In-depth Interview with Dr. Goldhamer & Dr. Group, DC

Length: 93 minutes

How to Perform a 3-Day Fast

Forty-eight hours appears to be the minimum duration to see benefits to the immune system, but it may take a bit longer for the desired effect. A three day fast is a long enough duration to see some of the benefits, but short enough that most people wont need professional supervision.

If you’ve never performed a fast before, start small. Going a full three days without eating can be emotionally and mentally stressful if you’re not prepared for the side effects. Start with intermittent fasting, a pattern of eating that involves alternating cycles of fasting and eating. Try extending how long you go between meals. Slowly increase the amount of time between meals until you can go most of the day without eating food.

If you tolerate this well and aren’t under the care of a health care professional, you can try alternate day fasting. When you feel ready, you can embark on an extended water fast to boost the immune system even further.

Get Dr. Group, DC's Immunity Strengthening Guide Now

In this FREE guide, you'll get exclusive information on the best ways to build and protect your immune system — NATURALLY.

Leaf

Check Your Inbox!

You'll be receiving an email shortly.

References (5)
  1. Simon, A. Katharina, George A. Hollander, and Andrew McMichael. "Evolution of the Immune System in Humans from Infancy to Old Age." Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 282.1821 (2015): 20143085. PMC. Web. 10 July 2017.
  2. Campisi, Judith. "Aging, Cellular Senescence, and Cancer." Annual review of physiology 75 (2013): 685–705. PMC. Web. 10 July 2017.
  3. Cheng, Chia-Wei, et al. "Prolonged Fasting Reduces IGF-1/PKA to Promote Hematopoietic Stem Cell-Based Regeneration and Reverse Immunosuppression." Cell stem cell 14.6 (2014): 810–823. PMC. Web. 10 July 2017.
  4. Longo, Valter D., and Mark P. Mattson. "Fasting: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Applications." Cell metabolism 19.2 (2014): 181–192. PMC. Web. 27 July 2017.
  5. Hine, Christopher, and James R. Mitchell. "Saying No to Drugs: Fasting Protects Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Chemotherapy and Aging." Cell stem cell 14.6 (2014): 704–705. PMC. Web. 10 July 2017.

†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.


Top
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATE

Dr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.

Related Posts
Everyone talks about aging gracefully but let's get serious. When your ears suddenly sprout hair, you leak a little every time you laugh, and you habitually adjust your television's volume...
Candida Defined Causes Symptoms Diet Plan Supplementation Maintenance Ten years ago, few people knew about the significance of Candida overgrowth, let alone the health benefits of embarking on a Candida...
A positive mood isn’t just a pleasant state of mind – it’s a crucial component of overall health. Studies show that maintaining a good mood can enhance immune function, reduce...
Trying a new natural immune-boosting recipe is a wonderful opportunity to slow down and intentionally prioritize your wellness while you fortify your body against seasonal challenges. This delicious Elderberry &...
I have recently been receiving many concerned e-mails and phone calls regarding the effectiveness of detox foot pads. Some reports are incorrectly stating that ALL detox foot pads are a...
Yesterday, we had a contest on our Facebook page. We asked everybody to share their favorite healthy eating tips with everybody, and the winners got a free T-Shirt and copy...
Back to blog