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| - Last Updated on June 18, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
There’s an article about whether water fasting is good or bad. The same article claims that water fasting can help you get rid of old blood cells. We did the fact check to term it as False.
The Claim
According to an article you can get rid of old blood cells through water fasting. The article talks about whether water fasting is good or bad.
Fact Check
What is water fasting?
Water fasting involves abstaining from all food and drink except water for a designated period. People often choose fasting for health, spiritual, or therapeutic reasons. During water fasting, the body relies on stored energy reserves and undergoes metabolic adjustments.
What is the lifespan of blood cells?
Blood cells are categorised into three main types: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells have a lifespan of approximately 120 days, important for oxygen transport and nutrient delivery. White blood cells, including lymphocytes and neutrophils, play roles in immune defence against infections and pathogens, with lifespans varying from hours to years. Platelets, vital for blood clotting and wound healing, have a lifespan of about 8 to 10 days. Together, these components ensure proper oxygenation, immune function, and clotting responses in the body, each managed through regulated production and removal processes.
Does water fasting help the body get rid of old blood cells?
No, water fasting does not affect the removal of old blood cells. The turnover of blood cells is a tightly regulated process primarily managed by organs such as the spleen and liver. These organs do not notably alter their function in response to short-term fasting. While fasting can induce metabolic changes, there is no scientific evidence to suggest it enhances the removal of old blood cells as claimed.
What does an expert say?
Dr Ubaid ur Rahman, a General Physician, at Holy Mission Clinic, New Delhi, shares his expertise with us. He says, “Water fasting does not specifically target or help eliminate old blood cells. The body naturally recycles old cells through processes managed by organs like the spleen and liver. Extended fasting without expert supervision can lead to serious health issues, including nutrient deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances. Always consult a physician before starting any new regimen.”
What does water fasting do to your blood?
Water fasting can lead to changes in blood chemistry, including reduced glucose levels, altered lipid profiles, and adjustments in hormone levels such as insulin, leptin and cortisol. These changes are part of the body’s adaptive response to fasting and are influenced by the duration and intensity of the fast.
Is water fasting good or bad?
The effects of water fasting vary depending on individual health factors and the duration of fasting. Short-term water fasting may offer benefits like improved insulin sensitivity and enhanced cellular repair processes like autophagy (cellular self-eating). However, prolonged fasting without proper medical supervision can lead to nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, and other adverse health effects.
After a water fast, you may experience refeeding syndrome, if food is reintroduced too quickly and in large quantities. This syndrome results from shifts in metabolism and electrolyte imbalances. It has the potential to cause serious symptoms like weakness, swelling, and even cardiac issues. It’s important to reintroduce food gradually to mitigate these risks.
What are the benefits of 24 hours water fasting?
Fasting for 24 hours may promote metabolic switching from glucose to fat metabolism. This can lead to short-term benefits such as improved insulin sensitivity and enhanced autophagy, which is the body’s process of cellular cleaning and repair. It can also result in reduced systolic blood pressure (the upper reading in your blood pressure). Fasting also makes your body more sensitive to leptin. This in turn suppresses hunger and lowers the risk of obesity.
What are the signs to stop a water fast?
Recognising when to stop a water fast is important for health. Signs like severe weakness, dizziness, fainting, extreme hunger, rapid heart rate, dehydration, and abnormal blood pressure or electrolyte levels indicate significant stress and nutrient deficiency. Ignoring these signs can lead to muscle breakdown, cognitive impairment, and heart rhythm issues.
Prolonged fasting without enough hydration and nutrition poses serious health risks. It can weaken the immune system and increase infection risk. It’s important for those fasting to listen to their bodies, prioritise safety, and seek medical help for concerning symptoms. Balancing fasting benefits with careful attention to body signals ensures a safe and beneficial experience.
Does fasting heal the body?
Fasting has been studied for potential health benefits, including metabolic improvements and reduced inflammation. However, claims that fasting “heals” the body should be approached with caution. While intermittent fasting and controlled fasting protocols may offer health benefits for some individuals, they are not a substitute for medical treatment or universal remedy for medical conditions.
People with conditions like gout, diabetes (both type 1 and type 2), eating disorders, older adults, and children should avoid water fasting without medical supervision. You should not practise water fasting if you are pregnant. If you’re new to water fasting, it’s wise to spend 3–4 days preparing your body beforehand.
Conclusion
Based on current scientific understanding, the claim that water fasting helps in the elimination of old blood cells is False. Even when water fasting can influence metabolic processes and has potential health benefits when practised carefully, it does not specifically target or accelerate the removal of old blood cells beyond the body’s natural turnover mechanisms. Therefore, it is important to be cautious of social media posts or random articles on “wellness websites” telling you to do a certain thing without scientific evidence.
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