Does fasting boost your immune system?
It depends on many factors. Let’s start by explaining what fasting is and how it works.
Fasting consists of a total cessation of food, with or without the consumption of water.
As far back as human societies are recorded, it is known that people have fasted of their own free will or have been forced to do so by the lack of food. All religions practice fasting.
However, today the term “fasting” encompasses a much broader approach, including different degrees of dietary restrictions. This is why there are many different types of fasting nowadays.
The concept of fasting
Restraining yourself from doing something vital is, first and foremost, an act of control over your body. It reminds you that your body serves you and not the other way around. In that sense, it is an excellent way not to let basic instincts dictate your behavior.
In a lot of cultures, fasting is a very important and traditional practice used to achieve many goals. In that regard, the aim of fasting goes way beyond the body’s health as a tool for mindfulness and spirituality.
On a physiological level, here are the principal actions of fasting:
- Increase the cleansing functions of the body
- Increase the body’s repair functions
- Change epigenetics (the expression of DNA)
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Is there a connection between fasting, health, and immunity?
Yes, there are many.
These connections are obvious as the main physiological effects of fasting, which we just mentioned, are directly related to health and immunity.
If you increase the body’s repair functions, you will automatically help your immune system to repair as well. When increasing the cleansing functions, you will help your immune system to get rid of pathogens better and faster.
This is something that we also tend to do naturally. When we are sick, for example, we can witness a considerable reduction of our appetite, pushing us to fast during the time we fight the pathogenic germ.
In general, this is something good because it will help save some energy from digestion for the function of the immune system.
But, the effects and benefits of fasting will greatly vary depending on:
- Type of fasting
- Diet
- Your health condition
- Body constitution
This is why fasting is not good for everyone in every condition. It depends on many factors, and to get the most out of your fasting, we recommend you first get the help of a Holistic Natural Health Expert who will be able to determine:
- If fasting is good for you
- What type of fasting do you need
- How and when to do it based on a holistic approach
How long should you fast for to boost the immune system?
In order to start benefiting from the physiological effects of fasting, we can say that you need approximately 3 days of fasting.
Again, it depends on many factors, including the current state of your immune system.
More importantly, fasting has a global impact on your body. It should not be used as a specific tool to “boost the immune system” or “relieve some chronic pains”. It is a general health tool that can be very powerful but also dangerous and not suitable for some.
Regardless of the health benefits you aim at, we recommend practicing fasting included in a holistic health care plan.
That way, the fasting will be personalized to your needs, capabilities and goals.
Is Intermittent fasting more effective than regular fasting?
No, it is not. Intermittent fasting is simply different from regular fasting.
As we mentioned at the beginning, today the term “fasting” encompasses a much broader approach, including different degrees of dietary restrictions.
On top of that, there is not one intermittent fasting but many. You can for example skip breakfast every day, or skip dinner every day, or skip 1-day food out of the week, or do more or less time of fasting, etc.
The common denominator of intermittent fastings is that they are less difficult to do for most people. Also, they can be done progressively over time. However, they inevitably take much more time to take effect compared to traditional fasting methods.
Advice from our experts
At the end of the day, fasting is just one of many tools we can use for therapeutic purposes. It can also be practiced as a wellness habit or a cultural tradition, but in this case, we recommend you practice short fasting and always listen to your body.
On the other hand, if you are sick and you want to treat yourself with natural and holistic treatments, avoid self-medicating and self-treating.
It is a full-time job to learn:
- How the body works
- How the body can dysfunctions
- The diagnostic tools of natural medicines
- The therapeutic tools of natural medicines
- The therapeutic strategies and care plans
- The synergies and contraindications
- etc.
Furthermore, even if natural treatments are, in essence, side-effects-free, they still have desired effects. This means that if you don’t know what you are doing, you can definitely harm yourself with natural medicines or at least don’t get the desired results.
To avoid that, we recommend that you get the help of a Holistic Natural Health Expert who will be able to give you the best results possible with a holistic natural health approach.
Interested to know how that works? Schedule a free call with us now, we will be happy to answer your questions.
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Barone Holistic Experts is a distinguished team of three highly skilled natural healthcare professionals. With certifications in Naturopathy and Traditional Chinese Medicine, they possess a collective experience of over 50 years.
Their primary focus is on delivering personalized treatments and creating comprehensive long-term plans that enable individuals to achieve optimal health. They prioritize the unique needs of each client, striving to provide the best possible results.
Renowned as pioneers and authorities in alternative therapies, this team has gained a well-deserved reputation. Through their combined expertise and collaborative efforts, they offer an extensive range of solutions to their clients.
These include homeopathy, aromatherapy, phytotherapy, reflex methods (Auriculotherapy, Sympathicotherapy, Reflexology), manual techniques (Osteopathy, Tui Na, Reboutology, Trigger point, Fascia therapy), Nutrition and micro nutrition, and many more.
Beyond their clinical practice, they are deeply committed to educating their clients about holistic health. They empower individuals by educating them on how to improve their well-being through dietary choices, lifestyle modifications, and mindful life decisions.
