Ramadan Special The healing powers of fasting
Dr. Maryam B. Alhassan, a dietician says there is no better way to detoxify the body and flush out waste faster than through fasting. “Fasting is the best method anyone can detoxify his/her body system of all harmful toxins. Even the Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W.) was known to have encouraged healthy people to fast so as […]
Dr. Maryam B. Alhassan, a dietician says there is no better way to detoxify the body and flush out waste faster than through fasting. “Fasting is the best method anyone can detoxify his/her body system of all harmful toxins. Even the Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W.) was known to have encouraged healthy people to fast so as to remain healthy,” she said.
Similarly, many experts claim the process of decomposing and eliminating toxic materials by means of Islamic fasting can improve the overall health of the human body.
Malam Adamu Suleiman, a patient with joint ailment claims he is a living testimony of the benefits of fasting. “I used to have joint pains and swollen ankles and knees. Before the commencement of the fasting, I had to come and seek medical advice and possible aid. My Doctor insisted she would not prescribe any drugs for me because medication is on its way. She advised me to observe the Ramadan fast and stick to the diet she would recommend for me. Surprisingly, it has really worked well.”
Explaining this medical phenomenon, Dr. Alhassan said “the swollen ankles and knees were as a result of calcium deposits in the joints, muscles and cells and by simply fasting, all these were dissolved and removed from the body. Cholesterol deposits in the body are also readily dissolved form the body especially those that settle in the arteries and veins. The healing power of fasting is amazing but only if you do what is right” she emphasized.
The physiological effect of fasting includes lowering of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol and lowering of the systolic blood pressure. In fact, Ramadan fasting would be an ideal recommendation for the treatment of mild to moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity, and essential hypertension.
It would be recalled that in 1994, the first International Congress on “Health and Ramadan”, held in Casablanca, entered 50 extensive studies on the medical ethics of fasting. It was revealed that while improvement in many medical conditions was noted; however, in no way fasting worsened any patients’ health or their baseline medical condition. Notwithstanding, patients who are suffering from severe diseases, whether type I diabetes or coronary artery disease, kidney stones, etc., are exempted from fasting and should not be allowed to fast.
Other benefits of fasting as explained by experts include:
– It gives the digestive system the much needed rest to improve on its muscles.
– Fasting helps in reducing excess weight, bulgy tummy and helps renew cells. By which it gives a younger and radiant look.
– Fasting dissolves all unnecessary and unnatural fat deposits all over the body and the body is relieved of tremendous burden.
– As metabolism is improved through fasting, the body recuperates the capability to assimilate proteins, fats, carbohydrates, starches, sugars, minerals, vitamins and all other essential nutrients necessary because all organs work properly after fasting. Surprisingly enough, fasting programmes can be used for underweight people who cannot gain weight even if they stuff themselves with many fattening foods. The cause of both overweight and underweight is a nutritionally unbalanced diet. “People are not nourished in proportion to amount of food they eat, but in proportion to how much they digest and assimilate” (Bragg & Bragg, 1999, p120). Thus what underweight people need is exactly what overweight people need: revitalizing the digestive and assimilative systems to work efficiently.
– Finally, fasting can help people to break addictions to harmful substances: tobacco, drugs, alcohol, tea, coffee, and other habit-forming beverages. Fasting leads our body to get rid of stored poisons, including addictive substances, and we lose our craving and tolerance for them. Thus after fasting, we will feel nausea or sometimes have attacks of vomiting, “nature’s purge” if taking addictive substances.
Recommended foods for fasting include all types of fruits especially grapes, berries, bananas, wheat, oats, soy milk ,dates, lots of greens (vegetables), fish, chicken, brown rice(unpolished rice), beans, olive oil in its natural form, plenty of water, boiled potatoes, unripe plantains and wheat bread. If one has to take solids, it shouldn’t be more than a handful with plenty of vegetables to go with it. Try to avoid fried and oily foods.
Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims, but the feelings and lessons we experience should not end with the elapse of the holy month of Ramadan. In the Qur’an, Muslims are commanded to fast so that they may “learn self-restraint”, (Qur’an 2:183). This restraint and devotion is especially done during Ramadan, but we all must strive to make the attitude stay beyond the month.