Fasting

[BluesBrother]

From what I've read about fasting so far, if the body fasts for a certain number of hours or days (only water or non-caloric teas, sometimes a bit of boullion), the immune system reacts favorably. In fact, there's currently a Phase 1 clinical study in progress in which people about to receive chemotherapy will fast as much as three full days before receiving the chemo.  There's been some evidence suggesting that the chemo is tolerated much better after fasting -- and perhaps more importantly -- the chemo is more effective after a 1- 3-day fast. Just for interest's sake, here's a link to one of these studies being conducted at the National Cancer Institute and the Mayo Clinic -- https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01175837?term=fasting+AND+chemo&rank=3.

I find this (fasting) to be a fascinating subject!

Best wishes,
Stef

That sounds fascinating, Stef. Thanks for sharing. I am planning to try a longer period of fasting (several days) in some weeks. I will keep you updated how it goes. If anyone has good references what needs to be taken into account when fasting (e.g. preparation, timeline, etc.), I'd be happy to hear about it.

[Limejuice]

Very interesting about the studies being conducted as I had no idea this research is being pursued!

Dinner usually ends around 7pm so approximately 12 hours of fasting does the trick. Typically 'a good nights sleep' of 8 hours will eliminate all but subtle lingering effects, and the effects where off as the morning progresses.  Is there significance to this amount of time?

I've read that food takes 8 hours to pass through the stomach and small intestine, and wondered why I begin to feel better after that time.  Also wondered if nutrition injected intravenously would cause symptoms or not.

Limejuice -- thank you for answering my questions.

Amazing that you weren't aware of the fasting studies that are going on (not in relation to POIS -- in relation to various issues related to immune-modulation). Somehow you sensed that it could be helpful for you. Good for you!

From what I've read about fasting so far, if the body fasts for a certain number of hours or days (only water or non-caloric teas, sometimes a bit of boullion), the immune system reacts favorably. In fact, there's currently a Phase 1 clinical study in progress in which people about to receive chemotherapy will fast as much as three full days before receiving the chemo.  There's been some evidence suggesting that the chemo is tolerated much better after fasting -- and perhaps more importantly -- the chemo is more effective after a 1- 3-day fast. Just for interest's sake, here's a link to one of these studies being conducted at the National Cancer Institute and the Mayo Clinic -- https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01175837?term=fasting+AND+chemo&rank=3.

I find this (fasting) to be a fascinating subject!

Best wishes,
Stef

Thank you Stef!  This information is empowering me to continue searching/researching for relief.

[b_jim]

There is this hypothesis with pancreas I wrote long time ago :

Pancreas is an endocrine gland producing steroid hormones.
After ejaculation, levels of hormones stay balanced for a normal guy but are disblanced for a Pois sufferer, and pancreas play a role of buffer effect.

=> When we leave the pancreas alone (fasting and/or no sugar), he can make his job to rebalance hormones after ejaculation.

[BluesBrother]

I have made my very first experiments with fasting. I did two 32 hour water fasts - however, I did not ejaculate during this period. Now, after the most recent ejaculation, I fasted for 24 hours. However, I did not feel an improvement in symptoms. For those of you who have tried fasting in combination with ejaculation - do you feel that it makes a differences for how long BEFORE ejaculation you have been fasting? I guess that will be my next experiment.

[Going less Crazy]

I recently had a reaction due to introducing raw garlic in my diet.  Had about 4 o's and after the fourth one I experienced POIS which I haven't felt in a while unless I eat offending foods... In this case garlic is added to my no eat list.   

So I've been fasting for about 20 hours after experiencing POIS and so far no relief, I will update.  I'm confident that if you fasted before O that it would help... At least my POIS.  What I eat directly affects whether I feel POIS or not.  God I haven't experienced POIS like this in a while.

[COLM_2]

Thanks GLC,

Interested on the garlic. Been taking this more regularly in healthy soups I make for gut and digestive improvements.

Might be also why I experienced a couple of very untimely NE's. Will remove it from my diet if near important work day.

Hope you are through your bad POIS cycle soon.

Colm

[Going less Crazy]

No problem colm

I was thinking since garlic permeates the blood brain barrier that might have something to do with experiencing POIS.  Maybe when garlic or other foods do that the body can more easily recognize an O in the brain and than it goes on the attack?  Garlic also gives me brain fog.

[Prancer]

Heyy GLC! Sorry to hear that you're feeling your symptoms again...and excellent encouraging words about not giving up!
I've tried eating raw garlic for relief a while back, but the raw whole cloves are really gross to me and made me feel sick, not a "POIS sick" though. Doesn't bother me if it's cooked or if in a capsule.
Almost had an MRI around the time I started feeling symptoms, but decided not to because of the fear of not being understood or taken seriously enough regarding symptoms...Plus I had my doubts about them actually seeing anything abnormal.
I still think an MRI is a good thing for a POISer and I hope something can possibly be gleened from it. Let us know the results if you get one! Thanks, and hope your symptoms clear very soon.    

[Going less Crazy]

Thanks Prancer... Haven't felt this bad in a while.  Reminds me that I must stay strict with my diet.  Garlic is no good for me.  It's been 6 days and now I'm in the recovery phase.. Low to mid grade brain inflammation. 

Hope everything's good

Glc

[b_jim]

I'm testing very short fasting : i try to take dinner sooner and take my brakefast later the day after to leave my digestive system during ~12 hours.
So guys think brakefast can be canceled to have a longer time of rest.
Impossible for me because i need energy to work. But 12 hours, it could be a nice idea.
It seems i have less digestive problems, I can't say if it improves POIS.