FASTING

Fasting is an age-old practice, often done for religious reasons, but fasting for weight loss is capturing the public imagination. You can find dozens of do-it-yourself plans touting the unproven benefits of fasting, ranging from flushing "poisons" from the body to purging several kilograms of fat in 14 days.

Islam is based on 5 core principles; believing in these principles is key to being identified as a person of the Islamic faith. These five principles are also referred to as the five pillars of Islam, namely Shahadah, belief in one God (Allah SWT), Salat (prayers), Sawm (fasting), Zakat (alms tax) and Hajj (pilgrimage). These are acts  that Allah SWT has ordained compulsory. Fasting is one of the five pillars meaning that to fast during the month of Ramadan is mandatory for all able Muslims.

As humans, we are susceptible to sins and transgression of the boundaries established by Islam and fasting teaching us to be pious and to restrain ourselves from worldly pleasures. The idea is to ensure we are not led astray by materialistic desires and to be able to control urges that can cloud judgement. This requires a fixed period where Muslims have enough time to know and learn how to put an end to vices, learn virtues, and obtain Allah SWT's blessings.

Laylat al-Qadr is carefully concealed within Ramadan and is also known as the Night of Power as special blessings are associated with this night; it is the most sacred of nights within Islam. It is said that any deed in this night carries more reward than the deeds of 1,000 months combined.

Laylat al-Qadr lies in the last 10 days of Ramadan however, no exact date is known therefore Muslims perform Itikaf during the last 10 days, usually at a mosque, where they spend the night in prayer and recite the Quran.

Islam preaches equality and Allah SWT made fasting during Ramadan to make the rich and the poor equal in terms of asking for forgiveness for their past sins. Ramadan is a month when many prayers are listened to and answered.

These are just a few reasons why Muslims fast during the blessed month of Ramadan. It defines them as followers of the Islamic faith and billions of Muslims around the world will continue in the tradition of fasting from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan every year.

Fasting in Hinduism indicates the denial of the physical needs of the body for the sake of spiritual gains. According to the Hindu scriptures, fasting helps create an attunement with the Absolute by establishing a harmonious relationship between the body and the soul. This is thought to be imperative for the well-being of a human being as it nourishes both his/her physical and spiritual demands.  

Hindus believe it is not easy to unceasingly pursue the path of spirituality in one's daily life. We are harangued by a lot of considerations, and the worldly indulgences do not allow us to concentrate on spiritual attainment. Therefore, a worshiper must strive to impose restraints on himself/herself to get the mind focused. One form of restraint is fasting

However, fasting is not only a part of worship but a great instrument for self-discipline too. It is a training of the mind and the body to endure and harden up against all hardships, to persevere under difficulties, and not give up. According to Hindu philosophy, food means gratification of the senses and to starve the senses is to elevate them to contemplation. When the stomach is full, the intellect begins to sleep. Wisdom becomes mute and the parts of the body restrain from acts of righteousness.

From a matter of dietary control, fasting has come to be a handy tool of societal control. It is a non-violent form of protest. A hunger strike can draw attention to a grievance and can bring about an emendation or redress. Finally, the pangs of hunger that one experiences during fasting make one think and extend one's sympathy towards the destitute who often go without food. In this context, fasting functions as a societal gain wherein, people share with each other a fellow feeling. Fasting provides an opportunity for the privileged to give food-grains to the less privileged and alleviate their distress, at least for the moment.

Not eating is the key to losing weight. But do it intermittently. That is why it is called intermittent fasting. Chronic calorie restriction does not work long term since it forces our bodies to reduce our resting metabolic rate, thus, stalling weight loss and increasing frustration. Intermittent calorie restriction, on the other hand, allows for weight loss without changing our resting metabolic rate, the key to healthy and successful long-term weight loss.

If there is no food coming in, there is no need for insulin to rise. Insulin will stay at its low steady basal rate, and there will be no elevations or spikes. That keeps the area under the curve low, right where we want it. Low insulin means we can mobilize our fat stores, and possibly, more importantly, it protects us from the harmful long-term effects of hyperinsulinemia.

The one consistent finding in longevity research, from single-cell organisms up to primates, is that calorie restriction works. But as we have learned from chronic calorie restriction experiments in humans, it is not so clear cut. First, it is miserable, and most people would rather die younger that live longer with chronic calorie restriction.

What is easier than skipping breakfast? No planning, no shopping, no cooking, no cleaning. Simply walk out the door.  In our hectic everyday lives, we should welcome anything that takes less time and makes our lives a little easier. Fasting does exactly that. Just make sure you bring a bottle of water with you wherever you go, and maybe some sea salt to put in your water. Stay well hydrated and enjoy the simplicity.

Evidence is accumulating that eating in a six-hour period and fasting for 18 hours can trigger a metabolic switch from glucose-based to ketone-based energy, with increased stress resistance, increased longevity, and a decrease in the incidence of diseases. Just follow the simple rules of staying hydrated, paying attention to how you feel, avoiding anything with calories, and even avoiding calorie-free sweeteners. The rest of the details can be individualized to fit your life and your goals.

Fasting can work wonders for most people, but it can also be dangerous for others. If you take medications for diabetes, hypertension, or other medical conditions and you are trying to fast on your own; do not do it! Fasting can cause significant harm in these circumstances if it is not done with proper precaution. That does not mean it cannot be done. In fact, it can still be incredibly beneficial. Just make sure you consult an experienced doctor who can help coach you through it safely. 

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