Outline the scientific advantages of fasting??

Question

fasting as the muslims do i mean.

Answer 1

There has been much contention in the scientific field about whether or not fasting is beneficial to one's health. Fasting is an integral part of many of the major religions including Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Many are dubious as to whether the physiological effects are as beneficial as the spiritual promoted by these religions. There is a significant community of alternative healers who believe that fasting can do wonders for the human body. This paper will look at the arguments presented by these healers in an attempt to raise awareness of the possible physiological benefits that may result from fasting.

Fasting technically commences within the first twelve to twenty-four hours of the fast. A fast does not chemically begin until the carbohydrate stores in the body begin to be used as an energy source. The fast will continue as long as fat and carbohydrate stores are used for energy, as opposed to protein stores. Once protein stores begin to be depleted for energy (resulting in loss of muscle mass) a person is technically starving.

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. 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" , 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." 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.

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." 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. 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, feces and sweat during an extended fast and found traces of DDT in each.

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. 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. 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. Therefore, when one is fasting, the person is consciously diverting energy from the digestive system to the immune system.
Finally, the most scientifically proven advantage to fasting is the feeling of rejuvenation and extended life expectancy

Answer 2

I don't know about the muslims, but fasting in general is not a bad thing at all for the body.

It definitely aids in meditation as the body is allowed to slow down on a physical level. When fasting, the muscles of the digestive system are able to quite.

When fasting, new toxins aren't being introduced in the body, and the liver is able to gain some ground.

People who fast regularly are typically less overweight because they know that food doesn't control them. They are less likely to be compulsive overeaters.

Just a few that come to mind.

Answer 3

Well I am not framiliar with the particular muslim practice, but fasting allows your body to focus it's energies on tasks other than digestion, a difficult task for most modern bodies given the foods we eat. These tasks include purging toxins from the system through sweat, mouth, breath, and feces/urine. Additionally, when consuming a large amount of food much blood is sent into digestive areas to aid the process, characterized by a friend of mine as "putting his brain in his stomach".
Hope this was what you were looking for, be well!

Answer 4

health wise, fasting cleans out your colon and detoxifies your systems. It dissolves away buildup in your stomach, intestines and even buildup on your joints. If you fast long enough you will rid your body of manifested garbage that has accumulated since childhood. I fasted 14 days once and it gave me back a lot of strength and energy and the joint pain I had was gone.

Of course, the key to fasting is coming off of it the proper way. If you permanantly change your diet to say a vegan lifestyle, you will keep the benefits of the fast.

Answer 5

This may just be the way to rid ourselves of stupidity regarding affordable health care. So when this or some other contagion spreads like wildfire through the population because people can't afford health care will you'll see the light or be dead from the disease?

Answer 6

in response to Deirdre H; not so. they don't stop eating, they just don't eat in the hours of daylight. in the morning and at night they eat as much as they normally do, maybe even more, to keep them going through the day. the body does not get a break. besides eating the whole day's worth of food in two meals is liable to slow u down unless u pick ur foods properly.

Answer 7

Cleans out your system. Its really good. Fasting once a week is really good for your health.

Answer 8

there are thousands, but to list a few:

-it helps you have self control
-it helps to keep sickness away
-it maintains a healthy body in that you do not oppress your body by stuffing yourself
-it cleanses your body, blood and digestive system by not introducing additional substances

there are many more but thats the basic ones.
hope that helps.

Answer 9

Mainly, it saves you from the punishment of God in this life and the hereafter. I recommend the following sites:

Answer 10

can't think of anything other than it kind of cleans out your bowels a bit