The nutritionists and health experts have often discouraged the practice of fasting. Teens, especially the girls, go for fasting to shed extra weight and regain their lost shape. But experts have been refuting such practices. In such a scenario, a new study has backed fasting saying they help in making us more immune.
A study conducted by scientists at the University of Southern California has found that fasting triggers stem cell-based regeneration of an organ or system.
The study was led by Valter Longo, Professor of Gerontology and the Biological Sciences at the USC Davis School of Gerontology and his colleagues.
Fasting initiates new WBCs production, improves immunity
Starving the body boosts stem cells which in turn start producing new White Blood Cells (WBCs), the researchers explain.
WBCs, also called leukocytes or leucocytes, are the cells of the immune system that defends and protect our body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders. The normal count of white blood cells in the human body is 4000 to 11000.
According to the researchers, the new findings will prove to be beneficial for those with a compromised immune system. Moreover, the finding also mentions encouraging results on the elderly whose immune system continues to weaken with age.
“When you starve, the system tries to save energy, and one of the things it can do to save energy is to recycle a lot of the immune cells that are not needed, especially those that may be damaged,” said Dr. Longo in a statement.
