Study of How Fasting Affects the Immune System in Healthy Adults Aged 20 to 40

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how fasting affects the immune system in healthy adults aged 20 to 40 years. This study focuses on understanding immune changes by examining various immune cells and their markers during fasting periods. Dietary restrictions like intermittent fasting have shown effects on immune responses in animals and some patients with autoimmune diseases, but detailed data in healthy humans are limited. This trial aims to explore these immune system changes during a specific fasting regimen. Participants will follow a fasting schedule involving two days of a controlled habitual diet and one 36-hour water-only fasting period with glucose monitoring to check compliance. Water intake is limited to 2 liters per day to avoid electrolyte issues. Blood samples will be collected at four different times after an overnight fast baseline, two hours after eating fed, after the 36-hour fast fasted, and two hours after refeeding refed. This approach helps characterize immune system responses across fasting and feeding states. During the study, participants will provide multiple blood draws and collect samples of each bowel movement for microbiome analysis. They will also use a blood glucose testing kit during the fasting phase to monitor glucose levels. Researchers will measure changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells over seven months to assess immune modulation. The study is sponsored by the University of California, Davis, and aims to deepen understanding of fastings impact on immune health in young adults.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Fasting in Healthy Adults