Medical Benefits of Ramadan
by Shahid Athar, M.D.
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 Ramadan fasting, there is no malnutrition
or inadequate calorie intake. The caloric intake of Muslims during Ramadan
is at or slightly below the national requirement guidelines. In addition,
the fasting in Ramadan is voluntarily taken and is not a prescribed imposition
from the physician.
Ramadan is a month of self-regulation and self-training, with the hope
that this training will last beyond the end of Ramadan. If the lessons
learned during Ramadan, whether in terms of dietary intake or righteousness,
are carried on after Ramadan, it is beneficial for one's entire life.
Moreover, the type of food taken during Ramadan 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 Ramadan and total fasting is the timing of
the food; during Ramadan, 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.
The physiological effect of fasting includes lower of blood sugar, lowering
of cholesterol and lowering of the systolic blood pressure. In fact, Ramadan
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 Ramadan", 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 Ramadan. 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.
Courtesy: www.everymuslim.com
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