what is fasting?

Answer 1

Fasting is not eating. If done right it is good for the body. It cleanses out the body. Check on the web for the appropriate length of time. If you fast for too long your body will eat itself from within. I do it for health reasons. Some people like my doctor call fasting "detoxifying the body". I do it for no longer than 2 weeks at a time.

Answer 2

Is it the opposite of "slowing?" Hehe... couldn't resist.

Fasting is the practice of abstaining from taking food or nourishment, sometimes for a prolonged period.

If you think about it. Most of us are "fasting" to a sense for a large portion of a day while we sleep. Thus the term breakfast (break - fast).

Fasting is often required for medical reasons, as in a "fasting period" before certain medical procedures. Some believe that fasting under the right conditions can have medical benefits.

Fasting is sometimes done publicly to draw attention to oneself or a particular societal problem or issue. A prisoner may fast and risk death as a means to protest harsh or unfair conditions.

Fasting also can have religious meaning. The bible talks of fasting many times. Jesus even fasted for 40 days before being tempted by Satan. (Matthew, Chapter 4). Generally fasting for religious purposes means drawing attention to what is being prayerfully considered. It is believed, by some, that fasting while in prayer lets God know how serious you are about needing an answer to that prayer. Giving up meat on Fridays by the Catholic religion can be considered fasting by some. Although not everyone would agree. But that's another issue.

Answer 3

Fasting is where you just drink water and eat no food, although some might drink some herb tea or juice. It gives the digestive system a rest or vacation. Also the body cleans out toxins at an accelerated rate and the body heals itself at an accelerated rate.

Some think they need to be concerned about slow down in metabolism, but this enables a thin person to fast a long time. Then it speeds up when you start eating again. Eat more it speeds up. Eat less and it slows down.

Your body does not hurt you, it is you who hurt it not giving it good food or not getting enough sleep. The ultimate diet for losing weight. Site below has quotes about it by 8 MDs, The New England Journal of Medicine and Mark Twain. It has quote by a Rabbi about biblical reasons for fasting. Bible has 74 references to it but at that time it was also used to heal people but the bible is not about that.

Answer 4

Fasting is different in so many religions like in isalm, fasting means starving from sun up till it's gone and it may sound bad but it aint because it is made to feel the people without food, water and much more. Fasting is a very important thing to do when it time and the time for muslims is in October to November and is good that you asked this question. You are being very thoughful, responsible and smart.

Answer 5

Fasting is a religious term for not eating any food for 24 hours or more. You are allowed to drink water but not special drinks such as coffee, tea, beer, soda etc. It is meant to be a self sacrifice and a cleansing of the body in observance/respect to spiritual matters.

Answer 6

fasting is a period of time in which you don't eat or drink anything. this is usually before a medical test or surgery - and it is only usually for 8-12 hours. certain tests that are run require that you don't eat so that the doctors can get better results. as far as surgery goes - they ask you to fast due to the anethesia they will use on you.

Answer 7

Not eating for a particular length of time.

Muslims celebrate a holiday called Ramadan and during which they fast during day light hours...but party hard at night!

Answer 8

Fasting is doing with out something that you feel that you can't live without. Eating is a good example...

Answer 9

Not eating.

If you're going for bloodwork, they'll sometimes want a "fasting" glucose. It means they want to do the bloodwork on you when you have gone without food for a period of time.

Some people fast for religious reasons.

Answer 10

one term that fasting is used is in some religions they do without food and they pray..they believe that god will heed their prayers if they are fasting.... i believe in the power of prayer but i believe that god has given us decisions to make in life and a lot in are life is destiny.........another is to fast or do without food as when you have a test done for diabetes or for other health reasons..blood tests that require that you do not eat for more accurate results....