Numerous doctors treating long COVID and COVID vaccine injuries now suggest fasting as a potential therapy for overall symptom improvement. However, this therapeutic approach may also benefit individuals without these specific ailments.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, fasting was primarily associated with metabolic diseases, with several doctors recommending it for weight loss and diabetes management.
But recent studies have revealed that fasting offers a multitude of advantages beyond weight loss, including reducing inflammation and boosting immunity, enhancing cognitive function, and potentially lowering the risk of cancer.
The Ancient Wisdom of Fasting
Fasting, an ancient practice of abstaining from food consumption, has a rich history spanning thousands of years. The word “breakfast” itself signifies breaking the overnight fast.
Throughout history, fasting has been widely observed across various religions and cultures. For instance, Chinese Buddhists traditionally fast after their noon meal until the following morning, while Muslims observe fasting from dawn to dusk during the month of Ramadan (pdf).
Medical applications of fasting date back to at least the 5th century B.C. Hippocrates, a revered figure in modern medicine, advocated against eating while ill, stating that “to eat when you are sick, is to feed your illness.”
Although there is no concrete evidence supporting the notion of “starving a cold,” Dr. Jason Fung, a nephrologist and fasting expert, suggests that fasting may tap into the body’s innate wisdom, depriving viruses and bacteria of nutrients to aid in fighting off a cold.
While the effectiveness of fasting to treat colds remains unproven, it offers numerous immune-related benefits beyond its potential impact on illness recovery.
Can Fasting Reset the Immune System?
Fasting encompasses two main forms: prolonged fasting, lasting for at least 36 hours, and intermittent fasting, a popular lifestyle intervention involving shorter fasting periods of 12 to 24 hours. Prolonged fasting tends to be more effective than intermittent fasting at activating the reset and renewal of cells and tissues.
The body experiences two primary states during the day: the fed state and the post-fed state, also known as the fasting state. These states coexist and have opposing effects, much like yin and yang.
By Marina Zhang
