Fasting impact on immune system

The first time is the toughest because your body has never had to produce the enzymes needed for energy before. This requires 12 - 36 hours ramp up time. During this phase of the fast, your carbohydrate level is used up and leads to fatigue, possible headache and intense hunger. It's very important to drink plenty of water. Also add some electrolytes (I use Himalayan salt) to your first glass in the morning and at night. Salt helps a great deal. I also take extra magnesium (~ 400 mg per day).

After the first day, assuming you are still somewhat active (walking, etc.), your body will begin to convert fat into ketones for energy. Buy Ketone strips at the local chemist or pharmacy so you can determine when this happens. You'll be surprised how long it takes with no food before ketones show up. Ketone burning is when autophagy and other cell cleaning takes place.

Sometime during day two, you will feel very good and hunger decreases dramatically. You will feel much more 'aware' and energy returns. The energy returning is simply because your fat is now converting easily to ketones and the process is set up and working. You will have plenty of energy - as long as you have fat on your body (which most of us do!). Your body is in ketosis at this point.

On the third day of the fast, major benefits occur. White cell count is reduced as your body scavenges old cells for "parts". This scavenging of white blood cells is what sets the stage for stem cell rejuvenation once you begin to eat again. Stem cells in bone marrow (and elsewhere) mobilize and come out of quiescence. And stem cells in other parts of the body get busy as well.

http://news.mit.edu/2018/fasting-boosts-stem-cells-regenerative-capacity...

On the fourth day (or end third day), break your fast with some bone broth or a very light meal to give your digestive system, which has been resting, a chance to ramp back up. I'll typically eat some nuts (almonds). If you keep carbohydrate intake to less than 30 grams, you will likely remain in Ketosis (test strips confirm) and autophagy continues. I tend to stay in ketosis 5 days out of 7...On weekends I enjoy most any food - except sugar.

Once you begin eating, signals are sent to your bone marrow to replace all of the lost cells and your immune system is regenerated and rejuvenated.

https://news.usc.edu/63669/fasting-triggers-stem-cell-regeneration-of-da...

Continue to take your Nilotinib as you would normally.

(My own personal theory is that when CML stem cells are signaled to divide, the presence of our TKI kills them, reducing CML stem cell numbers. During a fast, this is probably the single largest opportunity for massive LSC death to occur - triggered by fasting. Fasting alone puts stress on LSC's and may have prevented my CML in the first place, but having TKI present insures their death. That is the theory. I am PCRU, so I don't have any evidence personally that this works. Just that the science behind fasting and the research is very compelling. And - I feel better, lost a few pounds, joints are healthier and no chance for diabetes to occur.)

Better to do the fast sooner rather than later so by the time your PCR is taken, your blood system has had time to rejuvenate. During a fast and for a time after, your blood markers are skewed (cholesterol will go up a bit and then drop, WBC's are lowered, and other markers are shifted). You don't want these temporary effects to show up in any blood test. It could confuse your doctor. Also - any bcr-abl protein (CML) produced prior to the fast will have had a chance to diminish. This is the experiment - that bcr-abl is greatly reduced because LSC's and daughter CML cells are greatly reduced in number beyond what Nilotinib was accomplishing.

Also - listen to your body as you start the fast. The first day is pretty easy except for the hunger you will feel by afternoon of the first day. That hunger is very impressive. The first time I tried a three day fast, my heart started to race on the second day and I stopped the fast. What happened is I was dehydrated and lack of salt. The next time I tried, I was more aware and avoided all of that. Here's additional info.

https://siimland.com/everything-about-getting-enough-electrolytes-while-...

https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/keto/flu-side-effects

Please keep us posted on your journey especially how you feel during the fast. Also - when you do get your PCR taken, it will be very useful to learn whether your PCR dropped significantly from your last test (i.e. < 0.01%). Keep in mind that if your PCR does drop a great deal following your fast, it is anecdotal evidence not scientific, but still very encouraging.  Only a true clinical trial could verify whether fasting coupled with TKI can significantly impact CML stem cells potentially leading to successful treatment free remission. But the science is compelling to me regardless.

Hi scuba,
Some thoughts on 40 hrs fasting+moderate exercise.

I am going to try 40+hours fast.
Thanks Scuba for great information

Great link - here is an additional one cited in the article:

https://blog.terapiametabolica.com/rehabilitacion-metabolica

There is no doubt in my mind that fasting coupled with an alternating ketosis, non-ketosis metabolism can have profound effects on preventing cancer, increase longevity and facilitate overall better health.

What I have learned is that our bodies actually need long periods (3 days) of not eating during which the body 'cleans house' and recycles old cellular material. It is as if the body is preparing for new incoming (like selling your old furniture in order to make room for new and better furniture) building materials to replace the old ones. Once fasting has gone on long enough (ketosis in full vigor for a few days) and you begin to re-feed (including adding carbs), the body quickly rebuilds what it has lost and prepares for the next "no food" period. This switching back and forth is normal and healthy.

In our modern diets, we have perfected the art of never going without food. It turns out this is bad for our health. Going without food is necessary for health.

My own approach has been to become seasonal in how I eat. Normal fruits and carbs during spring (northern hemisphere) when fresh carbs are growing normally available and then switching to fats when spring is over combined with periods (3 times per year) of 3 day fasting.

I can tell you once your body has acclimated to a ketosis based metabolism the first time, you can do this during the year easily - because hormones and enzymes necessary to switch between carb fueled or fat fueled are established and balanced. It is that first time which is hardest because ketosis based enzymes and hormones are practically non-existent - you haven't needed them.

Ketosis, non-ketosis is the normal way to live.

Hi Damian,

First time is tough. What helps is drinking Himalayan salt water (1/4 teaspoon in an 8 oz. glass) first thing in the morning and then again in the afternoon. All other times need to drink plain water to stay hydrated. Check for ketones using a ketone strip. Only when your body is producing ketones (mid-scale typically shown on the strips), is your body coming out of low sugar fatigue and getting the benefit.

Next time you try and feel the need to end the fast, end it with nuts, olives, avocado or some cheese so you can stay in ketosis. Avoiding carbs will help get you into ketosis and feel much much better.

It does give you an idea of what our ancestors went through when there was no food. I found the experience enlightening.