Posted on 08/05/2021 1:44:24 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Fasting before and during exposure to Salmonella enterica bacteria protects mice from developing a full-blown infection, in part due to changes in the animals' gut microbiomes, according to new research.
When people or animals develop an infection, they often lose their appetite. However it remains controversial whether fasting protects a host from infection, or increases their susceptibility. In the new study, mice were fasted for 48 hours before and during oral infection with the bacteria Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, a common cause of foodborne illness in people.
Fasting decreased the signs of bacterial infection compared to fed mice, including nearly eliminating all intestinal tissue damage and inflammation. When fasted animals were re-fed for a day after their fast, there was a dramatic increase in Salmonella numbers and invasion into the intestinal walls, although the associated inflammation was still attenuated compared to normal. The results did not hold true when mice were exposed to Salmonella intravenously instead of orally, and analyses of the microbiomes of mice showed significant changes associated with fasting and protection against infection. Experiments using the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni confirmed that the effect of fasting was not limited to Salmonella, with similar results seen.
"These data suggest that therapeutic fasting or calorie restriction has the potential to beneficially modulate infectious and potentially non-infectious gastrointestinal diseases," the researchers conclude.
The researchers add, "Our research highlights the important role that food plays in regulating interactions between the host, enteric pathogens and the gut microbiome. When food is limited, the microbiome appears to sequester the nutrients that remain, preventing pathogens from acquiring the energy they need to infect the host. While more research is needed, fasting or otherwise adjusting food intake could be exploited therapeutically to modulate infectious diseases in the future."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Who knew our intestinal bacteria were so capable of quickly changing our health, both good and bad, in a single day?
It’s amazing stuff for sure!
It used to be common to hear: “Starve a cold, feed a fever.”
Maybe this is what they meant.
I’ve gone 2-3 without even thinking about it
Problem now, nothing tastes right, so I have to force myself
Either covid or recent strokes makes everything taste nasty
Just had the antibody test and don’t have results yet
I’m not a mouse.
It’s quicker if you refrain or fast from ingesting oxygen. After 2 or 3 minutes Covid is gone - forever.
"Damn Italians, they think if they don't feed their child, he's gonna die. So they continue to feed the sick kid...and he doesn't die...he pukes."
I’ve heard fasting before chemo and radiation helps kill cancer as well.
Sorry I cannot source this but my Grandma(?) told me that the saying meant that if you feed someone with a cold, it will get worse and they will develop a fever. Then you will have to starve him for sure. Can anyone confirm or correct this?
I’ve been doing intermittent fasting in order to lose my pandemic weight. So far, coupled with gym workouts, it seems to be working. Haven’t weighed myself yet, but my shorts feel looser.
Maybe it’s just one of those old sayings that you take as is, and can’t really be explained to someone who does not.
i.e. One of my sisters has never understood the saying:
“You can have your cake and eat it too!”
I tried explaining it to her, but she never did get it.
I finally told her she was overthinking it.
My mother had a routine of fasting one day every month. She lived to age 103, with no serious diseases. But she was bed ridden for last few years. I am on a mission to prove that old age need not get you weak and feeble. All I need is will power to continue 25 minutes treadmill and 10 minutes lifting 30 LB weight every day. I skip the gym on days when I mow the entire lawn with a push mower without self-propelled feature. In hot & humid Florida summers that is a workout and a half. Only 18.5 years left to reach 100. More stamina now than I had at age 57 when gave up my well paying job and retired to play golf full time.
Intermittent fasting can add 10 years to your life span.
I sincerely hope you can stay your best man until your final days, too.
Keep it up!
Reminds me of a Three Stooges moment:
Curley: Hey, Moe! Why are you eating burnt toast?
Moe: I’ve got a tape worm and that’s good enough for it.
From Scientific American: “This saying has been traced to a 1574 dictionary by John Withals, which noted that “fasting is a great remedy of fever.” The belief is that eating food may help the body generate warmth during a ‘cold’ and that avoiding food may help it cool down when overheated”. So it sounds like your Grandma was passing down the wisdom as it was originally meant!
My husband turns 57 this year and plans on retiring. He said he’d rather live life in less than continue working and having stress. So here we go, 1/2 our income but peace.
She was thinking fasting was therapeutic for both. Thanks for the link!
It’s amazing stuff for sure!
———— Not so amazing to us Bible thumpers….Praying and fasting leads to a long life.
Good news. We want our mice to be healthy.
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