Posted on 04/13/2025 10:57:15 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
Fasting has shown its potential to reduce colorectal cancer risk by triggering cellular changes that may slow tumor growth, with a study demonstrating a 20% improvement in overall survival. However, lifestyle changes alone aren't enough for prevention.
Fasting has been shown to activate autophagy, the body's natural process of cleaning out damaged cells and regenerating healthy ones. According to a review, autophagy plays a key role in preventing cancer development by maintaining cellular health and reducing oxidative stress. By clearing away cells that might otherwise turn cancerous, fasting may help the body maintain a more stable and resilient internal environment.
Another benefit lies in how fasting influences the immune system. Research found that fasting reduces the polarization of M2-type tumor-associated macrophages in the tumor microenvironment—cells that typically help cancer evade the immune response. This shift could allow the body to detect and destroy abnormal cells before they multiply more effectively.
A review highlights how time-restricted feeding and fasting-mimicking diets may help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. In some cases, fasting protects healthy cells while making cancer cells more sensitive to treatment.
Fasting doesn't always come without risks. A study by MIT showed that while fasting followed by refeeding promotes regeneration of intestinal cells, it could also accelerate tumor formation in individuals with a genetic predisposition.
Ramadan fasting is a well-known example, involving daily fasting from sunrise to sunset, and has drawn scientific interest for its potential health benefits. One study using metabolic risk profiles predicted that Ramadan-style fasting could lower the relative risk of colorectal cancer by about 2.4%.
Although it comes with a lot of benefits, fasting isn't for everyone. People with diabetes, on certain medications, or with a history of eating disorders should avoid it without medical guidance. Always consult a health care professional before starting.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I know some people who are doing 5+ days fasts, using the Prolon fast mimicking diet, and it has helped them further reduce weight and resolve a few other issues. It looks like six times through it, over six months, can cause a reduction of 21+ pounds and an insulin sensitivity improvement of 60%. It is a proven way to have autophagy and subsequent stem cell regrowth of healthy tissue occur.
When you have a full stomach, 50% of your body’s energy is focused on digestion. When you fast, your body can use that liberated energy to repair things.
isn’t part of this working also because sugar is the primary source for cancer to survive?
Its great for a number of reasons.
Do you have any recommendation for a less demanding fast that might still have some benefits?
I had diabetes before I took up fasting. I am no longer diabetic. My endocrinologist was very much against fasting. He has begun changing his mind.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-2-diet
One Meal A Day is just one meal every day.
16:8 provides minor benefits, with fasting 16 hours and eating allowed for 8 consecutive hours.
You can build up to what can work for you. I will say the five day fast still provides 1,100 calories one day and 750 the other four, but the food specifically will not trigger IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor 1) and mTOR during the fast, because the food and vitamins and minerals were selected (or dosed) to prevent that. Of course, anything added by a dieter might be too much and then trigger things that stop the autophagy the diet does, though.
The scientist that developed that diet says its biggest benefit is not weight loss, but the autophagy and renewal process it creates. Autophagy doesn't really kick in until the third day, they say, which tells me shorter fasts don't help with autophagy much, but do help with glucose, insulin, and reducing calories, still.
Very kind of you. I think I’ll take the plunge and do the five day fast.do you have a link to a good description of the rules?
I’m locked into eating five small meals a day to get enough protein to maintain muscle mass. I’m over 60 so I’m even more paranoid about losing it. Fasting makes a lot of sense, I’m just not sure how to implement it.
So if someone stops eating, they won’t die of colon cancer?
https://prolonlife.com/pages/benefits-of-fasting-mimicking-diet
This is an excellent diet and should be what people take to get true fasting benefits, while tricking out certain body processes from kicking in, destroying the autophagy benefits from a real water-only fast. This diet is designed to not let your body eat muscle for energy, as well, which a water-only fast would.
“Fast-Mimicking Diet,” that is.
Superb. I really appreciate it. I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time and this conversation has convinced me to do it now.
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