The study’s lead author, Valter Longo, is a director of the Longevity Institute at USC
Abstaining from eating for a period of two to four days at a time not only helps to protect the immune system from damage, but also leads to cell regeneration according to a groundbreaking new piece of research*.
Scientists at the University of Southern California (USC) in the USA say this is the first time a natural intervention has been found to trigger stem cell-based self-renewal of an organ or system. And the findings could have major implications for healthy ageing.
As people get older, their immune system declines, making them more susceptible to disease. Being able to prevent or reverse this process could help older adults as well as those who suffer from autoimmune disorders. It may also benefit cancer patients whose immune systems are weakened by chemotherapy.
Flipping the switch Over a course of six months, the scientists looked at the impact prolonged fasting cycles had on mice and patients undergoing chemotherapy. During this time, the mice and people went without food for two- to four-day periods.
In both cases, not eating initially lowered the white blood cell counts – the cells in the immune system that defend the body against disease. And the body started killing off old or damaged cells. “When you starve, the system tries to save energy and one of the things it can do to save energy is to recycle a lot of the immune cells that are not needed, especially those that may be damaged,” explains lead study author Valter Longo, a professor of gerontology and biological sciences at USC.
Eventually, however, prolonged periods of fasting in mice then “flipped a regenerative switch” which kick-started the stem cells into producing brand new white blood cells. This essentially rebooted the whole immune system.
The PKA enzyme Importantly, the scientists also found, that when people don’t eat for long periods, levels of the enzyme PKA are reduced. In previous studies, PKA has been associated with the regulation of stem cell self-renewal. “PKA is the key gene that needs to shut down in order for these stem cells to switch into regenerative mode,” clarifies Longo. “It gives the OK for stem cells to go ahead and begin proliferating and rebuild the entire system.
“And the good news is that the body got rid of the parts of the system that might be damaged or old, the inefficient parts, during the fasting. Now, if you start with a system heavily damaged by chemotherapy or ageing, fasting cycles can generate, literally, a new immune system.”
Prolonged fasting also lowered levels of IGF-1, a growth hormone linked to ageing, tumour progression and cancer risk.
Further research by Longo and his team will now focus on whether fasting has a similar impact on different parts of the body other than the immune system.
Fasting in spas Given its link to spirituality and naturopathy, fasting is a good fit for spas. But how can operators get the best results and ensure customer safety? We explore these ideas further on page 50. *Longo, V et al. Prolonged Fasting Reduces IGF-1/PKA to Promote Hematopoietic-Stem-Cell-Based Regeneration and Reverse Immunosuppression. Cell Stem Cell 14, p810-823. June 2014
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The study’s lead author, Valter Longo, is a director of the Longevity Institute at USC
Abstaining from eating for a period of two to four days at a time not only helps to protect the immune system from damage, but also leads to cell regeneration according to a groundbreaking new piece of research*.
Scientists at the University of Southern California (USC) in the USA say this is the first time a natural intervention has been found to trigger stem cell-based self-renewal of an organ or system. And the findings could have major implications for healthy ageing.
As people get older, their immune system declines, making them more susceptible to disease. Being able to prevent or reverse this process could help older adults as well as those who suffer from autoimmune disorders. It may also benefit cancer patients whose immune systems are weakened by chemotherapy.
Flipping the switch Over a course of six months, the scientists looked at the impact prolonged fasting cycles had on mice and patients undergoing chemotherapy. During this time, the mice and people went without food for two- to four-day periods.
In both cases, not eating initially lowered the white blood cell counts – the cells in the immune system that defend the body against disease. And the body started killing off old or damaged cells. “When you starve, the system tries to save energy and one of the things it can do to save energy is to recycle a lot of the immune cells that are not needed, especially those that may be damaged,” explains lead study author Valter Longo, a professor of gerontology and biological sciences at USC.
Eventually, however, prolonged periods of fasting in mice then “flipped a regenerative switch” which kick-started the stem cells into producing brand new white blood cells. This essentially rebooted the whole immune system.
The PKA enzyme Importantly, the scientists also found, that when people don’t eat for long periods, levels of the enzyme PKA are reduced. In previous studies, PKA has been associated with the regulation of stem cell self-renewal. “PKA is the key gene that needs to shut down in order for these stem cells to switch into regenerative mode,” clarifies Longo. “It gives the OK for stem cells to go ahead and begin proliferating and rebuild the entire system.
“And the good news is that the body got rid of the parts of the system that might be damaged or old, the inefficient parts, during the fasting. Now, if you start with a system heavily damaged by chemotherapy or ageing, fasting cycles can generate, literally, a new immune system.”
Prolonged fasting also lowered levels of IGF-1, a growth hormone linked to ageing, tumour progression and cancer risk.
Further research by Longo and his team will now focus on whether fasting has a similar impact on different parts of the body other than the immune system.
Fasting in spas Given its link to spirituality and naturopathy, fasting is a good fit for spas. But how can operators get the best results and ensure customer safety? We explore these ideas further on page 50. *Longo, V et al. Prolonged Fasting Reduces IGF-1/PKA to Promote Hematopoietic-Stem-Cell-Based Regeneration and Reverse Immunosuppression. Cell Stem Cell 14, p810-823. June 2014
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Spa Foresight™: Spa Foresight™
Trends, technologies and strategies which will shape the future of the global spa and wellness industry
Interview: Steve Jeisman
The group director of spas and development at Alila talks to Katie Barnes about leading the way in spa innovation and about new investment from US firm Geolo Capital
Ask an expert: Fasting
What makes a successful fasting programme and how can spas offer them safely? Julie Cramer investigates
Advertisement promotion: ESPA
At 21, ESPA is a veteran
of the global spa industry,
but it’s still leading the
way. Founder and CEO Sue
Harmsworth explains how
Therapy: Mineral matters
Sophie Benge focuses on water and mud therapies in the last of her series on wellness in central and eastern Europe
Everyone’s talking about: Russia
Jak Phillips gives a SWOT analysis of the Russian spa industry and gets insights from operators and consultants working in the sector
Glacial Spa: Tribal gathering
Wellness and adventure tourism is a key focus for Ng?i Tahu, one of the richest Maori tribes in New Zealand. Jennifer Harbottle finds out more
Summit review: Bright future
Katie Barnes shares her highlights from the 2014 Global Spa & Wellness Summit held in Marrakech, Morocco
Research: Strength in numbers
The worldwide spa industry has grown 56 per cent since 2007 and is part of a US$3.4tn cluster according to the 2014 Global Spa & Wellness Economy Monitor report. Ophelia Yeung reveals more
Wellness: Wearable technology
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Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year
renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across
the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans
to expand.
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research
initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry
perspectives.
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry
framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences.
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and
wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and
launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England
with a
1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’
concept.
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