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The ‘Wonders’ of Fasting!

by MARIAM ALIREZA,

Published: Aug 3, 2011 17:22 Updated: Aug 3, 2011 17:22

As usual, I find it appropriate to elaborate on one aspect of Ramadan, to celebrate this holy month and to appreciate the spirit of fasting with its many rewarding facets. very few realize that the practice comes with multiple and diverse benefits to our bodies, spirits, emotions, characters, well-being, health and even society. the previous years, the emphasis was mostly on how fasting stimulates spirituality by relieving bodily functions in order to refresh energy, based on Islamic and traditional principles. Due to recent scientific findings on the powerful effects of fasting on body, mind and soul purification, I decided to write about such benefits. 

Like the other pillars and ordinances in Islam, such as the five daily prayers, ablution (wudu) before prayers, stipulated charity (zakat) and pilgrimage (Haj), fasting is an offering to the Almighty, the Creator, in order to receive His blessings and rewards now and in the thereafter. Islam is not the only religion that commands the practice of fasting; other ancient civilizations and religions before it have practiced the rite in similar or different ways. both prophets, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them) were ordained to fast. the ancient Egyptians and Hindus before them also performed it for different reasons, with variations, and at different periods of the year.

Many believe that fasting is just a religious ritual, prescribed to test the belief and patience of believers. little do we realize that this observance comes with many bonuses for us spiritually, mentally, emotionally and even physiologically. this is the subject of my discussion today. after reading about its unbelievable curative, detoxifying and preventative effects, you will religiously follow the proper ways of fasting; the way Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) performed it. Let us explore the wonders of fasting! 

It was not by mere coincidence that I stumbled upon papers and studies written by scientists and researchers on the benefits of fasting. As I am a staunch believer in fasting for religious and health purposes, I did my research on the subject in order to give you the scoop of its multiple benefits, unfortunately unacknowledged by modern medicine.

Regular fasting makes you reap many health and behavioral benefits. you will enhance your level of energy, bolster your immune system, stimulate the healing process, boost body and cell repair, jumpstart your metabolism, revive the detoxification mechanism, speed weight loss, break up fat, cleanse body systems and improve sleep. the list continues, as fasting will also heighten mental clarity, raise productivity, enhance physical and mental performance, ameliorate mental and emotional health, develop patience, tolerance and compassion, extend longevity and intensify spirituality. Let us see how this happens.

During our youth, we tend to rely on our bodies to heal, repair, defend against invading microorganisms and auto-detoxify.  but after the twenties and thirties, our systems start breaking down, screaming from overindulgence: overconsumption of sugar, sweets, refined, processed, fried, fast foods, caffeine, or alcohol; overload of food additives, chemicals, heavy metal, pesticides and nicotine; and other environmental toxins (chemical and detergent fumes, car exhaust, radiation). Moreover, our systems are continuously assaulted by modern-day diets, work pressures, financial and emotional stressors, pharmaceutical and recreational drugs, environmental pollutants and chemical toxins in everything we ingest, drink, breathe and touch.

Before the age of technology and under normal conditions, the human body’s detoxifying built-in mechanism filters inhaled air through the respiratory system. It destroys bacteria, germs, viruses and fungi in the digestive system; it filters heavy metals, toxic fumes and drugs by the lymphatic system; and eliminates them through the kidneys and skin.  However, in our modern day life, our toxic intake has come to exceed the capability of our bodies’ innate detoxification machinery. 

Let us find out how these cleansing systems work and why fasting is required to recover the efficiency of their functions to reduce the body’s toxic load.

We have multiple systems, which are capable of detoxifying external and internal toxins, or exotoxins and endotoxins. Toxins come in two types: Water-soluble, like alcohol, caffeine and drugs and fat-soluble, like chemicals.

Our first line of defense, the digestive tract, is the main system to get exposed to exotoxins, because of daily ingestion of microorganisms in food and water, food leftovers, chemicals, heavy metals, drugs (antibiotics), caffeine, alcohol and even overdose of vitamins and minerals. little by little, these offenders obstruct our cleansing systems.

Undigested food and toxins pile up in the colon, fostering bacteria and promoting cancer cells. such a condition overpowers the microflora, the “friendly” bacteria, impeding the functions of the digestion and thus the elimination process. Moreover, with food overconsumption and chemical waste overload, the digestive and detoxification systems get burdened, becoming dysfunctional. to restart the detoxification process, it is important to starve the digestive system for short periods to cleanse it and stimulate systems and organs. to compliment fasting, you are encouraged to have important amounts of fresh whole organic fruits, vegetables (greens) and their juices. Due to their richness in enzymes, antioxidants and fibers, they support and complete the cleansing process with the help of drinking plenty of purified water.

To detoxify the body from environmental contaminants, drugs, alcohol, chemicals and other toxic waste ingested, inhaled, or touched, the liver needs to work hard and overtime to prepare for the elimination of toxins through the kidneys, spleen, intestines, lungs, skin and lymphatic system. the byproducts of drugs and chemicals in the blood get filtered by the kidneys, but when burdened, they become unable to clear toxicity.  Other toxins in the bile go to the intestines for removal with the stool.

However, when poisonous residue gets trapped in the body, it causes disease and even cancer. Autopsies have shown that as much as four kilograms of waste were found in the intestines. the body’s failure to cleanse waste causes chronic fatigue, weight problems and chronic disorders. Medical drugs add to the dilemma, too. Nothing can be more suitable to cleanse toxic remains as much as fasting. 

Certain toxins are stored in fatty tissue and cell membrane, which are very hard to get rid of. Again, the proper way to release toxic residue out of the system is through a suitable and gentle fast, one that slowly melts away fat along with deposited toxins. On the other hand, crash diets or harsh fasts cause a rush of toxins in the bloodstream, which can provoke shock in the body, precipitating death even in youth.  For such reasons, gentle fasts are required. they should neither last too long nor cause a surge of chemical toxicity in the body.

Whether it is performed for religious or medical purposes, fasting in its traditional and modern forms cleanses the body and clarifies thinking.  to understand why fasts detoxify the system, it is important to keep in mind that the digestive system takes the lion’s share from the immune system.  therefore, when the digestion is relieved from the heavy task of overconsumption of food, fats and toxins, it allows the immune and the cleansing mechanisms to do their functions efficiently.

When left in the body long enough, the poisons cause constipation, disease, nutrient malabsorption and even cancer. the toxic residue in the colon gets reabsorbed in the bloodstream and circulates in the various systems including the brain, provoking headaches, mental fogging, fatigue, body pains, chronic diseases, cancer, autoimmune disorders and early ageing. with intestinal overgrowth of harmful bacteria, yeast and toxins, even the kidneys lose their ability to purify the blood because of the excess waste. 

Ancient healing methods and healers (Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines, Hippocrates) believed that the intestinal tract is at the root of most illnesses. only recently, scientists have started to see the connection between the two. British scientist Professor Jeremy Nicholson asserts that "almost every sort of disease has a gut bug." Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) advised Muslims 1,400 years ago that, “The stomach is at the base of ailment and diet is the best cure.”

Fasting in Islam starts at dawn and ends at sunset. the period after that, fasters are allowed to eat and drink until the next dawn. the Prophet (pbuh) recommended breaking fast with one, three, or five dates and water. Dates’ richness in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals supply the body with important nutrients. the antioxidants detoxify the blood and systems. the water enables the nutrients and antioxidants to circulate freely in both body and brain. Other fruits are equally effective. Food should be light and in reasonable amounts, avoiding heavy, big and fatty meals. Fresh whole fruits and vegetables and water are needed to help the body rest and auto-detoxify. During this period, it is important to abstain from sugar, refined carbohydrates, pastries, fatty fried foods, additives, smoking, caffeine and alcohol.

In general, the first days of fasting are not smooth, especially if the body is overburdened with toxicity. with toxins circulating in the bloodstream and systems, symptoms like headaches and lethargy may surface at first.  the respite given to the digestive tract, systems and organs slowly starts to revive vitality and stimulate lethargic detoxification systems, resetting and retuning mechanisms for optimal functioning.

With scientific findings in mind, it is important to remember that nothing helps — including drugs, medication and even a healthy organic food — like proper fasting and healthy weight loss. these are two powerful detoxifying tools along with fresh organic fruits and vegetables and water. How fasting makes this possible will be the subject of our discussion next week. before I end I would like to display some of the benefits Ramadan fasting offers to Muslims.

Fasting in Islam is a unique experience, which takes the body and brain on a both detoxifying and spiritual journey. by abstaining from food, drink, caffeine, alcohol, smoking and mortal and mundane sins, performing frequent prayers and practicing charitable deeds, we renew energy. in addition, we reclaim health, maintain physical and mental fitness, kick nicotine, drug and alcohol habits, enhance mental performance, instill patience (sabr) and sustenance in ourselves, awaken the conscience, get rid of selfishness, master discipline and survival techniques, learn to practice equality, unity, social consideration and brotherly love, acquire self-dependence and self-control, learn to embrace generosity, acquire spirituality and deepen bonding with the Creator, Allah.

Next week, inshallah, I will have more on fasting.

I wish us all Ramadan Mubarak and the ability to perform it the way it was ordained to us by Prophet Mohammad (pbuh).

N.B.: Individuals with medical conditions or on medication should consult their physicians when they decide to introduce anything new in their diet even if it is natural.

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