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Most Muslims do not fast because of medical benefits but because it
has been ordained to them in the Quran. The medical benefits of
fasting are as a result of fasting. Fasting in general has been used
in medicine for medical reasons including weight management, for
rest of the digestive tract and for lowering lipids. There are many
adverse effects of total fasting as well as so-called crash diets.
Islamic fasting is different from such diet plans because in Ramadaan
fasting, there is no malnutrition or inadequate calorie intake. The
caloric intake of Muslims during Ramadaan is at or slightly below the
national requirement guidelines. In addition, the fasting in Ramadaan
is voluntarily taken and is not a prescribed imposition from the
physician. |
Ramadaan is a month of self-regulation and self-training, with the
hope that this training will last beyond the end of Ramadaan. If the
lessons learned during Ramadaan, whether in terms of dietary intake
or righteousness, are carried on after Ramadaan, it is beneficial for
one's entire life. Moreover, the type of food taken during Ramadaan
does not have any selective criteria of crash diets such as those
which are protein only or fruit only type diets. Everything that is
permissible is taken in moderate quantities.
The only difference between Ramadaan and total fasting is the timing
of the food; during Ramadaan, we basically miss lunch and take an
early breakfast and do not eat until dusk. Abstinence from water
during this period is not bad at all and in fact, it causes
concentration of all fluids within the body, producing slight
dehydration. The body has its own water conservation mechanism; in
fact, it has been shown that slight dehydration and water
conservation, at least in plant life, improve their longevity.
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The physiological effect of fasting includes lower of blood sugar,
lowering of cholesterol and lowering of the systolic blood pressure.
In fact, Ramadaan fasting would be an ideal recommendation for
treatment of mild to moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity
and essential hypertension. In 1994 the first International Congress
on "Health and Ramadaan", held in Casablanca, entered 50 research
papers from all over the world, from Muslim and non-Muslim
researchers who have done extensive studies on the medical ethics of
fasting. While improvement in many medical conditions was noted;
however, in no way did fasting worsen any patients' health or
baseline medical condition. On the other hand, patients who are
suffering from severe diseases, whether diabetes or coronary artery
disease, kidney stones, etc., are exempt from fasting and should not
try to fast.
There are psychological effects of fasting as well. There is a peace
and tranquility for those who fast during the month of Ramadaan.
Personal hostility is at a minimum, and the crime rate decreases.
Muslims take advice from the Prophet who said, "If one slanders you
or aggresses against you, say I am fasting.'" This psychological
improvement could be related to better stabilization of blood
glucose during fasting as hypoglycemia after eating, aggravates
behavior changes.
There is a beneficial effect of extra prayer at night. This not only
helps with better utilization of food but also helps in output.
There are 10 extra calories output for each rikat of the prayer.
Again, we do not do prayers for exercise, but a mild movement of the
joints with extra calorie utilization is a better form of exercise.
Similarly, recitation of the Quran not only produces a tranquility
of heart and mind, but improves the memory. |
By Shahid Athar, M.D.
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