To Fast or Not To Fast !

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To Fast or Not To Fast !
by capt_ayhab
21-Aug-2009
 

To Fast or Not To Fast

With arrival of Ramadan, month of fasting in Muslim faith, Islam bashers all around have united in an unprecedented excitement to take advantage of this month to bash Islam as a religion. Rather than trying to present rebuttal to these blog religiously, of which I am not a scholar, I decided to present the other side of the coin, which are medical and clinical benefits of short term and long term fasting and its affect on overall health of human body.

Historically for many philosophers, scientists, and physicians, fasting was an essential part of life, health, and the healing process needed to recreate health where there was sickness. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Galen, Paracelsus, and Hippocrates all used and believed in fasting therapy.

Numerous studies been done on benefits and side affects of fasting in universities and clinics , which have concluded astonishing benefits to the faster. One such study was done by Valter Longo at the University of Southern California.

Valter Longo observed the effects of fasting on cancer patients and the results were startling. The scientists involved found that fasting, at least in the short term, helped to toughen normal cells while having no effect on the cancer cells.

Because chemotherapy has so many side effects that kill healthy cells, this discovery could help to improve cancer treatment for the thousands of people going through it every day. When the patients fasted, Longo found that cells were deprived of oxygen and were forced to go into a state of emergency that made them extremely resistant to stress.

Cancer cells, on the other hand, did not enter into the state of emergency that normal cells did when deprived of oxygen, making them more susceptible to the drug treatment. Doctors are hopeful that this will translate to patients being able to withstand higher doses of chemotherapy without harm.

In Book by Dr. Alosn M. Hass , Staying Healthy with Nutrition: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine Published by Celestial Arts) he point to numerous benefits of fasting.  He  believes that fasting is not utilized often enough. We go on vacations from work to relax, recharge, and to gain new perspectives on our life; why not take occasional breaks from food? he claims that eating is a habit, an addiction. Most of us do not need nearly the amounts (and types) of food we consume.

He believes in great benefit from fasting in helping, or even curing illnesses such as :
colds ,atherosclerosis, flus, coronary artery disease, bronchitis , angina, pectoris, headaches, hypertension, constipation,  diabetes,  indigestion, fever, diarrhea, fatigue, food allergies, back pains, environmental allergies, mental illness, asthma,   obesity, insomnia , cancer, skin conditions, epilepsy.

Fasting can easily become a way of life and an effective dietary practice. Over a period of time (different for each of us), through newly gained clarity, we can go from symptom cleansing to prevention fasting.

Sources: //www.mesotheliomaweb.org/may200813c.htm
//www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?ID=1996
//karmafreecooking.wordpress.com/2009/04/

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more from capt_ayhab
 
Faramarz_Fateh

Fasting at Evin prison

by Faramarz_Fateh on Fri Aug 21, 2009 03:45 PM PDT

Sahari @ 4:47am

Executions @ 7:00am

Rapes @ 11:30  (for men)

Rapes @ 1:30 (women, non virgin)

Rapes @ 4:00 (women, virgin)

Azan  @ 6:07

Eftar @ 6:29  (Gheymeh + rice) 


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vildemose

Many non-muslims,

by vildemose on Fri Aug 21, 2009 03:32 PM PDT

Many non-muslims, especially vegetarians fast to detoxify their body.

It's recommended by all holistic doctors.


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capt_ayhab

Adib Jan

by capt_ayhab on Fri Aug 21, 2009 03:03 PM PDT

Next time we are around, lunch will be on me in Sahra. lol

small world indeed

-YT 


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Adib Masumian

LOL

by Adib Masumian on Fri Aug 21, 2009 02:56 PM PDT

Haha! Yes, Texas kind of grows on you that way. We don't go to Dallas very often but who knows, maybe our paths will cross in another way.


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Afshin_Afshar

del

by Afshin_Afshar on Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:09 AM PDT

del

 


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Mona 19

...

by Mona 19 on Fri Aug 21, 2009 02:55 PM PDT

I believe the fast it's a period for reflecting on our spiritual progress and making an effort to detach from material desires.It's time for meditation and prayer.

Wishing you and your family a blessed Ramadan Mr.Capitan.

Happy fasting, Mona ;)


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capt_ayhab

My Dear Texan Hamvatan

by capt_ayhab on Fri Aug 21, 2009 02:48 PM PDT

What a nice coincidence Adib Jan, I have lived in Dallas for many years but I am couple of states to your north now. We often take short trips to Dallas and Galveston at least few times a year I love the drive.

As they say, I left my heart in Texas. LOL

 

-YT 


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Adib Masumian

Ayhab jan

by Adib Masumian on Fri Aug 21, 2009 02:28 PM PDT

I do fast before Nowrooz, and I love it as well! What better way to end a long period of fasting (which we also feel is a time to focus on introspection and detachment from material things) than one as joyous and so replete with togetherness and camaraderie as that holiday? :) I can feel the positive effects it has on me as well; I'm usually in a better mood as a result of it. Maybe serotonin plays a role in it or something! I'm not sure but I like it, whatever it is.

Unfortunately I live farther south, down in Texas. Luckily there's still a sizeable Iranian community here too! Hehe, well you know what they say, birds of a feather flock together. :) Thanks again for the helpful blog.


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capt_ayhab

Mr. Masumian

by capt_ayhab on Fri Aug 21, 2009 02:21 PM PDT

I do not know if you fast knowing that your fasting period is right before Nowrooz. But I tell of my own experience[although we share different faiths].

Every time I finish fasting I do feel like a new man to say the least. It really works well for my system. And I mind you, this has nothing to do with religious experiences that some claim, since I do not consider myself a devout religious person anyways. ;-)

P/S If you live in Northern California we may have some mutual friends[family members from my wife's side] who are of your faith. I ask you because I have always admired  cohesion and solidarity among Baha'i faith.

 

-YT 


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Adib Masumian

Highly informative

by Adib Masumian on Fri Aug 21, 2009 02:05 PM PDT

I've learned a lot from this blog; thank you Capt_Ayhab!


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capt_ayhab

Mr. Jimzbund

by capt_ayhab on Fri Aug 21, 2009 01:36 PM PDT

I too fast, even at times in periods other than Ramazan. It helps me to control my weight[not that I have problem] and specially my cardio.

Genetically I am prone to diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, but thanks to fasting[according to my doctor] and restrict exercise and dietary regiment they are both under 100% control. He has made me a firm believer in the fasting.

Thanks for your comment dude.

 

-YT 


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jimzbund

it is the question of choice

by jimzbund on Fri Aug 21, 2009 01:28 PM PDT

I believe people are attacking the enforcement of fasting by the islamic regimes rather than a voluntary fasting. I myself fast at times and know many benefits of fasting but it is my choice.  I don't like governments watching people and forcing them to fast. I am sure all these rapists in the Iranian jails and in power will be fasting after saying their prayers.

 

Bund, Jimz Bund


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