The FastDay Forum

I'v been wondering about this. Had a quick look online but can't find anything specific. Does anyone know of any studies on the effects of fasting on the immune system? Does it have a positive, negative or no effect?

Had no idea, so asked Google. Found two schools of thought...
http://voices.yahoo.com/the-reasons-why ... 07336.html
http://skeptics.stackexchange.com/quest ... -autophagy
http://www.cavemandoctor.com/2012/05/05 ... t-fasting/
I would expect that it would be good for your immune system, after all, we were designed to be able to go for periods of time without food - surely that couldn't be harmful to us? Interesting...

Good question. The phrase "immune system", I never fully understand exactly what people mean byit, it seems to me like such an all encompassing term and whether something is good or bad for it always seems like a vague concept to me.
I had started to think a few weeks ago that IF was having a positive affect on my "immune system" as this winter had been a good one for avoiding colds/flu but then I got a cracking cold and tonsillitis so now not so sure. I also threw in a 24hr fast in the middle of it to see if I thought it would help. I didn't think it did. So from my perspective my answer would be: unconvinced.

[carorees]

Dr M says that it is anti-inflammatory so in that respect, yes (see Snorvey's report on how he has been able to come off asthma medications since starting fasting). There is a thread on IF and inflammation with a couple of links to studies.