Blog | IELTS | Band 7.5

Fasting can help kill cancer. It reprograms the immune system’s “natural killer” (NK) cells to combat cancer’s spread, and it also starves
cancer cells of the nutrients they need to grow. NK cells are a type of white blood cell that can kill abnormal or damaged cells, such as cancer cells or cells infected by a virus. Unlike T cells, they can ward off a threat even if they have never
encountered it before. Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have discovered in lab tests on mice how fasting kick-starts the NK cells into action.
Fasting for 24 hours twice a week—and then eating normally the rest of the time—reduces glucose (sugar) levels and increases free fatty acids, which are lipids released by fat cells that act as an alternative energy source. This change also occurs in humans.
During the fasting periods, the NK cells learned to use the fatty acids as fuel, which “optimizes their anticancer response,” explained Rebecca Delconte, one of the researchers. They haven’t tested this action in humans yet, but they’ve observed that fasting changes the way NK cells circulate in humans.

The two 24-hour weekly fasts didn’t have any detrimental effect, and there was no weight loss, the researchers added. In the next phase of the study, the researchers will test different types of fasting to see which ones are the most effective.

Definition: This phrase is used to express that you can imagine yourself in a particular situation or role in the future.

Examples:
🟣 I could see myself working in marketing after graduation. (neutral, professional)
🟣 I could see myself living in Spain one day—it’s such a beautiful country! (neutral, conversational)

Definition:

This phrase expresses strong excitement or impatience about experiencing or learning something.

Examples:

🟣

I’m dying to see the new season of my favorite show!

🟣

She’s dying to try that new sushi place downtown.

Definition:

This means someone is extremely determined and will do anything to achieve their goal, often with a sense of relentless ambition.

Examples:

🟣

He would stop at nothing to get that promotion.

🟣

She would stop at nothing to protect her family.

Definition:

Refers to unresolved emotional issues from past experiences that affect one’s present relationships or mental state.

Examples:

🟣

After his last breakup, he realized he had a lot of emotional baggage to deal with.

🟣

She’s hesitant to start a new relationship because of her emotional baggage.

Definition:

Describes a feeling of deep disappointment, embarrassment, or emotional pain.

Examples:

🟣

I died a little inside when I realized I had been calling my teacher by the wrong name all year.

🟣

She died a little inside when she saw her ex with someone new.

Definition:

To make someone feel uneasy, uncomfortable, or scared.

Examples:

🟣

That abandoned house really sketches me out.

🟣

He sketched me out with his weird behavior at the party.

Definition:

Describes a person, place, or situation that seems dishonest, unreliable, or unsafe.

Examples:

🟣

That guy seemed really sketchy—I didn’t trust him at all.

🟣

We left the bar early because the crowd was getting dodgy.