Fasting for health improvements.

Obesity is regarded as a growing pandemic in modern society, ‘breeding’ illnesses like diabetes.

I hear of so many people engaged in different fasting regimes, based on latest buzz words.

Fasting can help bring about good health (As-Syuti, p.16), but at the same time forbidden if you are unwell (As-Syuti, p.24).

Those that embrace fasting for health reasons will find it hard, initially, especially if obese or eating excessively.

The concept of fasting exists in many religions (Christianity (Dew, 1998), Hinduism (Kim, undated)). It is a form of worship based on self- denial and discipline.

Tibb philosophy of fasting is entwined within religious principles and engrained amongst Muslims as an ‘annual spring clean for the body’, during the Islamic month of Ramadhan.  

It could be described as ‘detoxification’, a modern term for re-balancing one’s dietary intake .

It gives the bodily systems, some respite from the regular bombardment of food, as perhaps fast foods. It can be considered a personal level form of worship (Razavi, 2011).

The Saudi Arabian Government sponsored research by 50 non-Muslim scientific researchers, on the topic of Islamic fasting. The concluding conference, held in Casablanca in 1994, confirmed fasting as beneficial to health, as detoxification. However, whilst observing fasting, the body should be protected against excess vigour, which includes strain of direct hot conditions/sunlight. Research of a BBC journalist, who fasted two days a week, produced a TV documentary called ‘eat, fast and live longer’  (Mosely, 2012).

Fasting has it’s place in modern society, for its’ medical benefits, alone.