Intermittent Fasting Induced Increased White Blood Cells Count and Low Anti-Haemophilic Factor Levels (Factor VIII)

Abstract

Intermittent fasting is a range of meal timing patterns that involves alternating between periods of voluntary fasting or decreased calorie consumption and periods of normal eating within a specific time frame. Intermittent fasting has been associated with having significant effects on blood related factors such as Anti-haemophilic factor and white blood cells Count. To determine the effect of Intermittent Fasting on Anti-haemophilic factor and White blood cells count. A total of 120 blood samples were collected from sixty 60 apparently healthy adults. Ten milliliters (10mls) of blood samples were collected each during the fasting phase (test) and the non-fasting phase (control) of participants into EDTA and sodium citrate anticoagulated containers and analyzed for anti-Haemophilic factor levels using ELISA and total White Blood Cells count using ERMA Haematology Autoanalyzer PCE - 210N (Diamond Diagnostic; Holliston, USA). Data was analyzed using SPSS and Student-t-test was used to compare means. The total white blood cell count was significantly higher (p<0.05) during the fasting phase, Monocytes and Lymphocytes were significantly lower during the fasting phase (p<0.05). Granulocytes were higher during the fasting phase (p<0.05). Factor VIII was significantly lower during the fasting phase (p<0.05). These findings revealed the complex interplay between fasting and blood health. Therefore, intermittent fasting could impact white blood cells parameters by influencing the body immune responses, white blood cells count and factor VIII levels.