Fasting , Cancer and Immunity

Fasting is defined as “the abstinence of food for a specific period of time.” It is an ancient practice that has been around for thousands of years in every culture. Fasts have been observed for health reasons and also as part of diverse religious and spiritual traditions.

With the benefit of recent scientific discoveries, we can better understand the wisdom of this practice for cancer control.

While it makes sense that obesity would be associated with increased cancer risk, heart disease and other metabolic diseases, did you know that calorie restriction is associated with improved health and a longer and a more vital life?

Recent research published in the journal Cell Stem Cell demonstrated that fasting for 72 hours protected the immune system from damage. Furthermore, the study also discovered that fasting induced actual regeneration of the immune system. Researchers went on to boldly state that, based on the results of the study, “fasting may mitigate some of the harmful effects of chemotherapy.”

In this study, volunteers fasted regularly for up to four days over a six month period. This practice reduced the production of Protein Kinase A (PKA), an enzyme that is linked to hormones which increase the risk of tumor growth and cancer.

If you are on a healing journey from cancer, here are some facts that may lead you to seriously consider fasting as part of your overall health program:

• According to animal models, fasting extends life expectancy and reduces inflammation and cancer promotion.
• Calorie restriction (as well as intermittent fasting) slows the growth of primary tumors.
• The protective effect of calorie restriction specifically on breast cancer has been demonstrated in research models for over 100 years.
• Calorie restriction in general and a protocol of annual fasting can prevent cancer before a tumor develops.
• Fasting helps to balance the flora in the gut — which benefits the immune system.
• Studies have shown that fasting 1 day per week suppressed cancer development in mice that were deficient in the p53 tumor-suppressor gene.
• Fasting also appears to reduce the inflammation associated with high sugar levels and a condition called benign proliferative breast disease. The condition can sometimes be a precursor for breast cancer.
• Fasting may have mood-enhancing effects.
• There is ample proof that fasting has many beneficial effects on all aspects of your health.

Try This Simple Fasting “Recipe”

There are dozens of different types of fasts out there, ranging from water-only fasts to juice fasts to simply eating less on a regular basis. All of these kinds of calorie restriction protocols have benefits. If you are really serious about making fasting a part of your lifestyle, consider doing a simple water and lemon juice fast to begin with.

On the day of the fast, consume a minimum of 2 quarts of pure water mixed with the juice of six to eight lemons. Some people add cayenne and maple syrup to the water. If you are on a healing journey from cancer, however, I don’t recommend adding the syrup since sugar feeds cancer cells. If you need to sweeten the taste, you can add a few drops of stevia.

Don’t jump into a fast without being prepared. The day before you start your fast, eat very lightly and only raw foods. Also, fast on days when you are not physically active and have the ability to just be at home and rest. Adding a coffee enema to your fast can take away the hunger pains and the slight nausea that may accompany a fast. Enemas can also aid in the detoxification process overall.

Years ago, I got in the habit of fasting one day per week and also completing a three-day fast once per month. Those regular periods of fasting really boosted my energy and were also very cleansing and clarifying for me on all levels. I think it may be time for me to begin to experience the benefits of fasting once again!

If you want to boost your immune system, slow down the growth of cancer in your body, and live a longer and more vibrant life in general, make brief fasting and periodic calorie restriction a habit and an integral part of your healthy lifestyle.

Editor’s Note: At BeatCancer.org, we believe that cancer patients should not consider fasting for longer than a couple of days without medical supervision and that vegetable juice fasting is preferable to water fasting.

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Dr. Veronique Desaulniers (“Dr. V”) is a best-selling author and founder of breastcancerconqueror.com. She specializes in Chiropractic, Bio-Energetics, Meridian Stress Analysis, Homeopathy and Digital Thermography. After 30 years in active practice, she decided to “retire” and devote her time to sharing her personal, non-toxic Breast Cancer healing journey with others. Her years of experience and research have culminated in “The 7 Essentials™ “, a step-by-step coaching program that unravels the mystery of healing the body. Her website and personal healing journey have touched the lives of thousands of women around the globe.