ArticleImmunity & ageing : I & A2023
Short-term intensive fasting enhances the immune function of red blood cells in humans.
Article in Immunity & ageing : I & A, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 7 citations in OpenAlex.
- Fasting as a Multisystem Health Modulator: A Narrative Review of Metabolic, Cardiovascular, Immune, Neurocognitive, and Psychospiritual Effects.Current nutrition reports · 2026Review
- The impact of short-term intensive fasting on physical health and gut microbiota in obese individuals.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Article
- Article
- 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate: the forgotten metabolic regulator of oxygen affinity.The British journal of nutrition · 2025Review
- Enhancing laying performance and immunity via probiotic and vitamin additives during induced molting.Frontiers in veterinary science · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
23 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundFasting is known to influence the immune functions of leukocytes primarily by regulating their mobilization and redistribution between the bone marrow and the peripheral tissues or circulation, in particular via relocalization of leukocytes back in the bone marrow. However, how the immune system responds to the increased risk of invasion by infectious pathogens with fewer leukocytes in the peripheral blood during fasting intervention remains an open question.
resultsWe used proteomic, biochemical and flow cytometric tools to evaluate the impact of short-term intensive fasting (STIF), known as beego, on red blood cells by profiling the cells from the STIF subjects before and after 6 days of fasting and 6 days of gradual refeeding. We found that STIF, by triggering the activation of the complement system via the complement receptor on the membrane of red blood cells, boosts fairly sustainable function of red blood cells in immune responses in close relation to various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and parasites, particularly with the pronounced capacity to defend against SARS-CoV-2, without compromising their oxygen delivery capacity and viability.
conclusionSTIF fosters the immune function of red blood cells and therefore, it may be considered as a nonmedical intervention option for the stronger capacity of red blood cells to combat infectious diseases.
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Registered trials
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