Fasting good for you?

Question

Hi everyone! This is not a question to be mean in any way, I'm just trying to understand something that makes no sense to me.

I would like to know if anyone has a link to scientific proof that fasting for a month is good for you. I have heard things like your stomach gets rest, it kills bacteria and so on.

I have a hard time believing a stomach needs to rest and that weakening your body makes it better.

My husband tries to explain it to me but I just doesn't make sense to me.

Answer 1

Anything can be made good for you, if you believe in it, even if it's not.

Answer 2

umm, from ur q it seems like we fast the whole month.

interesting q tho. i'd like to know how its healthy scientifically as well.  

Answer 3

Well when fasting people drink lots of water at suhoor

The benefits of fasting must be preceded by a look at the body's progression when deprived of food. Due to the lack of incoming energy, the body must turn to its own resources, a function called autolysis. (2) Autolysis is the breaking down of fat stores in the body in order to produce energy. The liver is in charge of converting the fats into a chemical called a ketone body, "the metabolic substances acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid" (3), and then distributing these bodies throughout the body via the blood stream. "When this fat utilization occurs, free fatty acids are released into the blood stream and are used by the liver for energy." (3) The less one eats, the more the body turns to these stored fats and creates these ketone bodies, the accumulation of which is referred to as ketosis. (4)

Detoxification is the foremost argument presented by advocates of fasting. "Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and skin." (5). This process is precipitated by fasting because when food is no longer entering the body, the body turns to fat reserves for energy. "Human fat is valued at 3,500 calories per pound," a number that would lead one to believe that surviving on one pound of fat every day would provide a body with enough energy to function normally. (2) These fat reserves were created when excess glucose and carbohydrates were not used for energy or growth, not excreted, and therefore converted into fat. When the fat reserves are used for energy during a fast, it releases the chemicals from the fatty acids into the system which are then eliminated through the aforementioned organs. Chemicals not found in food but absorbed from one's environment, such as DDT, are also stored in fat reserves that may be released during a fast. One fasting advocate tested his own urine, f***s and sweat during an extended fast and found traces of DDT in each. (5)

A second prescribed benefit of fasting is the healing process that begins in the body during a fast. During a fast energy is diverted away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the metabolism and immune system. (6) The healing process during a fast is precipitated by the body's search for energy sources. Abnormal growths within the body, tumors and the like, do not have the full support of the body's supplies and therefore are more susceptible to autolysis. Furthermore, "production of protein for replacement of damaged cells (protein synthesis) occurs more efficiently because fewer 'mistakes' are made by the DNA/RNA genetic controls which govern this process." A higher efficiency in protein synthesis results in healthier cells, tissues and organs. (7) This is one reason that animals stop eating when they are wounded, and why humans lose hunger during influenza. Hunger has been proven absent in illnesses such as gastritis, tonsillitis and colds. (2) Therefore, when one is fasting, the person is consciously diverting energy from the digestive system to the immune system.

In addition, there is a reduction in core body temperature. This is a direct result of the slower metabolic rate and general bodily functions. Following a drop in blood sugar level and using the reserves of glucose found in liver glycogen, the basal metabolic rate (BMR) is reduced in order to conserve as much energy within the body as can be provided. (2) Growth hormones are also released during a fast, due to the greater efficiency in hormone production. (7)

Finally, the most scientifically proven advantage to fasting is the feeling of rejuvenation and extended life expectancy. Part of this phenomenon is caused by a number of the benefits mentioned above. A slower metabolic rate, more efficient protein production, an improved immune system, and the increased production of hormones contributes to this long-term benefit of fasting. In addition to the Human Growth Hormone that is released more frequently during a fast, an anti-aging hormone is also produced more efficiently. (7) "The only reliable way to extend the lifespan of a mammal is under-nutrition without malnutrition." (5) A study was performed on earthworms that demonstrated the extension of life due to fasting. The experiment was performed in the 1930s by isolating one worm and putting it on a cycle of fasting and feeding. The isolated worm outlasted its relatives by 19 generations, while still maintaining its youthful physiological traits. The worm was able to survive on its own tissue for months. Once the size of the worm began to decrease, the scientists would resume feeding it at which point it showed great vigor and energy. "The life-span extension of these worms was the equivalent of keeping a man alive for 600 to 700 years." (8)

In conclusion, it seems that there are many reasons to consider fasting as a benefit to one's health. The body rids itself of the toxins that have built up in our fat stores throughout the years. The body heals itself, repairs all the damaged organs during a fast. And finally there is good evidence to show that regulated fasting contributes to longer life. However, many doctors warn against fasting for extended periods of time without supervision. There are still many doctors today who deny all of these points and claim that fasting is detrimental to one's health and have evidence to back their statements. The idea of depriving a body of what society has come to view as so essential to our survival in order to heal continues to be a topic of controversy.

  

Answer 4

Fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan can be good for one's health and personal development. Ramadan fasting is not just about disciplining the body to restrain from eating food and drinking water from predawn until sunset. The eyes, the ears, the tongue, and even the private parts are equally obligated to be restrained if a Muslim wants to gain the total rewards of fasting. Ramadan is also about restraining anger, doing good deeds, exercising personal discipline, and preparing oneself to serve as a good Muslim and a good person during and after Ramadan.

This is why the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him, Pbuh) has been attributed, by Hazrat Abu Hurairah in hadith, to say: "He who does not desist from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah has no need that he didn't eat or drink." (Bukhari, Muslim). In another hadith by Hazrat Abu Harairah, the Prophet (Pbuh) said: "Fasting is not only from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene (acts). If someone verbally abuses you or acts ignorantly toward you, say (to them) 'I am fasting; I am fasting." (Ibn Khuzaoinah). Restraint from food, water, and undesirable behavior makes a person more mentally disciplined and less prone to unhealthy behavior. In an investigation in Jordan (1), a significant reduction of parasuicidal cases was noted during the month of Ramadan. In the United Kingdom, the Ramadan model has been used by various health departments and organizations to reduce cigarette smoking among the masses, especially among Africans and Asians (2).

Ramadan fasting has spiritual, physical, psychological, and social benefits; however, manmade problems may occur, if fasting is not properly practiced. First of all, there is no need to consume excess food at iftar (the food eaten immediately after sunset to break fast), dinner or sahur ( the light meal generally eaten about half an hour to one hour before dawn). The body has regulatory mechanisms that activate during fasting. There is efficient utilization of body fat, El Ati et al. (3) . Basal metabolism slows down during Ramadan fasting, Husain et al. (4). A diet that is less than a normal amount of food intake but balanced is sufficient enough to keep a person healthy and active during the month of Ramadan.

Health problems can emerge as a result of excess food intake, foods that make the diet unbalanced, and insufficient sleep (5, 6). Ultimately also, such a lifestyle contradicts the essential requirements and spirit of Ramadan.

Answer 5

the best way to know this is from a physician.  and to be fair, and not biased in any way, here are some links from non-muslim doctors who speak about the benefits of fasting.

http://www.healthpromoting.com/Articles/...

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/ans/psychology...

Answer 6

It is not good for you actually. You don't get the nutrients your body needs to be healthy and you won't have as much energy. If you do it for religious purposes, try doing it only once a week or once a month. Your body will think it's starving itself if you fast and then will take nutrients from your muscles, causing you to lose muscle mass. So I recommend doing it once a week or once a month for religious purposes, or not at all. Hope I helped! :)

Answer 7

Preventing your body from nutrition is not healthy. fasting is in the Bible and to be done only when God asks us too. If you do this and it starts to hurt you, then I would say STOP! God knows all and see's all so this is what should be the only thing that matters to you. So, I can't clearly/honestly give you an answer except to say what I just did and for you to think about it first. GBU.

Answer 8

Cleans your intestines and such, if doctors are trying to get into that part of your body, say with a camera or for surgery, they'll ask you to fast to clear out those areas.....all muslims around the world do it and since islam has been around, and its not like we're known to die earlier than anyone else...our bodies can handle a lot more than we let on, if you don't think you can last the whole day without eating then of course you cant. When I'm not fasting and I skip lunch I am DYING of hunger, but during ramadan of course I havent eaten for hours and I am perfectly fine just because my mind KNOWS that i cant eat. If you know you cant, the power of psychology can do quite a bit. And its basically 1 meal you're skipping, with a late dinner: you eat before dawn, (sorta like an early breakfast) and skip lunch, and then dinner after dark! It's not that bad, believe me. It's cool that you're curious :)  

Answer 9

well i really cant add much to what umhuda gave in link form : )

Answer 10

There is scientific proof that fasting is bad for you.

There is scientific proof that fasting is good for you.

Answer 11

in our church we fast because it helps us get closer to jesus as said in the bible and fasting also helps you to loose weight  

Answer 12

Yes, fasting is actually very good for us. Here you go, try this link. It's kind of a long article, but it really explains a lot:

http://www.islamonline.net/iol-english/d...