The benefits of fasting for the body in Islam. Opinions of ecclesiastical and secular doctors on the benefits and harms of fasting

Question:
I live and study in Russia. Most of our teachers are communists who do not believe in the existence of the Supreme Creator. One of them told us: “How can Allah command you to leave out food and drink during the day, because it is harmful to health!” How do you advise us to respond to this communist, may Allah humiliate him?

Answer:
Although fasting (syam) is basically a worship established by Shariah and an obligation entrusted to us by Allah, it is also one of the most useful medicines and the best means for strengthening health and body, as evidenced not only by Muslims, but also by doctors. Kafirs.
Fasting effectively helps in the treatment of psychological disorders, strengthens the willpower of the fasting person, softens his feelings, increases his love for good, distances him from quarrels, pickiness and hostile inclinations, gives him a feeling of the height of his soul and thoughts. This strengthens his personality, increasing his patience and endurance in the face of problems and difficulties. There is no doubt that this automatically affects human health.
This is the case on the one hand. On the other hand, fasting contributes to the treatment of many diseases of the body, such as diseases of the digestive tract, gastritis, colitis, liver diseases, poor digestibility of food, obesity and arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, asthma, sore throat and other diseases.

The Austrian doctor Barcellos wrote that the benefits of fasting during treatment many times exceed the benefits of using medications. As for Dr. Helb, he forbade his patients to eat for several days, after which he brought them light food. In general, abstaining from food promotes the breakdown of tissues that are ready to fall apart during hunger, and after eating, new tissues are restored. For this reason, some scientists, among them Pashutin, called for fasting and believed that fasting had a rejuvenating effect.

Tom Burns of Columbia Journalism School says, “I consider fasting to be a deep spiritual experience rather than a physical one. Even though I started fasting to rid my body of excess weight, I have found that fasting is very beneficial for clearing my mind. It helps you see more clearly, open new thoughts, and concentrate your feelings. Within a few days of my fast at the rest home, I felt that I was going through a huge spiritual experience.”

Naturally, fasting can cause harm and additional difficulties for some people in certain situations. Allah freed them from fasting, such as the sick and the traveler.
The ideal benefit from fasting will be if you follow the adabs of syam, including: late acceptance of suhoor, early acceptance of iftar, lack of wastefulness and excess in food, in its quality, quantity and variety.
Encyclopedia Britannica says: “Most religions have made fasting compulsory. Fasting is common to people even outside of religious rituals. Some people fast as their human nature requires.”

In the 20th century, a number of medical books arose in America and Europe that talked about the medical benefits of fasting. Among them were the books “The Fasting Cure” by Shelton, “Fasting: The Ideal Food System” by Alan Coote, “Fasting - the Elixir of Life” by Enric Tanner and “Returning to Healthy Life with the help of fasting” by Watzener.

Fasting is of great benefit to many heart patients because 10% of the amount of blood the heart sends to the body goes to the digestive system during the digestion process, and this amount decreases during fasting when there is no digestion during the day. This means that during fasting the heart works less and the heart muscle rests more.

Fasting also helps in the treatment of skin diseases, and the reason for this is that when fasting, the level of water in the blood decreases, thus this level decreases in the skin, which helps:

— Increasing skin resistance to microbes and bacterial infectious diseases.
- Alleviating the symptoms of skin diseases that spread over large areas of the body, such as psoriasis.
— Relief of allergic diseases and skin problems.
— With fasting, the secretion of poisons by the intestines decreases and the level of fermentation, which can cause acne or pimples, decreases

.
These are only some of the health benefits of fasting, and knowing them, you can understand that the words that this atheist communist says have no basis.

In 1975, Allan Cott, in his book Fasting as a Lifestyle, noted that “fasting promotes physiological rest of the digestive and central nervous systems, and also normalizes metabolism.”

There are about 900 million Muslims in the world. During the month of Ramadan, most of them adhere to a complete fast (that is, they eat and drink absolutely nothing from dawn until sunset). They do this not at all in order to lose weight or relieve their stomach. Muslims fast because their Holy Book says so:

"O you who believe!
Fasting is prescribed for you, like
As it was prescribed to those who lived before you, -
Perhaps you will become God-fearing" (Quran, 2:183)

According to Islamic law, children under 12 years of age, the sick, those on the move, and women during their period or breastfeeding are exempt from fasting. Those who fast must not only abstain from water and food throughout the day, but also avoid bad behavior, smoking and sexual relations. During Ramadan, they are recommended to do as many righteous deeds as possible, be diligent in prayer, charity and reading the Koran.

Fasting is necessary for the human body to extract energy by burning carbohydrates, particularly sugar. Excess carbohydrates unclaimed by the body leads to fat deposits in the muscles and the formation of glycogen in the liver. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, reduces blood sugar by storing it in another energy store - glycogen. To be effective, insulin must be involved in a clear metabolic process. For example, obese people suffer from metabolic disorders, and insulin in their body cannot perform its functions. This can lead to diabetes. During fasting, the body's consumption of carbohydrates increases enormously, which leads to a reduction in blood sugar and insulin. To use glucose for the energy the body needs, the liver uses glycogen. During fasting, fat in the fat folds is burned to meet the body's energy needs.

Based on the above aspects of human physiology, semi-fasting or ketogenic diets have been successfully used to regulate weight. This treatment provides the body with a certain amount of protein with excess water, multivitamins and some other substances. Diets help you lose excess weight and reduce blood sugar, but due to side effects they should only be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Full fasting reduces or eliminates hunger and leads to rapid weight loss. In 1975, Allan Cott, in his book Fasting as a Lifestyle, noted that “fasting promotes physiological rest of the digestive and central nervous systems, and also normalizes metabolism.” However, it is worth noting that there are many side effects to full fasting. For example, a low-calorie diet without medical supervision can lead to hypokalemia and cardiac arrhythmia.

Research on Islamic fasting
Dr. Soliman of Amman Medical University, Jordan, conducted an experiment in which volunteers were observed during the Ramadan fast in June-July 1984. The experiment involved 42 men aged 15 to 64 years and 26 women aged 16 to 28 years. They were weighed and had their blood tested for coristol, testosterone, sodium, calcium, urea, glucose, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and serum osmolality. All these data were recorded at the beginning and end of Ramadan. As a result, significant weight loss was observed in men (6.8-7.1 kg) and women (4.2-4.8 kg). Blood glucose levels in men increased from 23.6 mg/dL to 90.2 mg/dL, and in women - from 1.1 mg/dL to 7 mg/dL. All other indicators did not change significantly.

Dr. F. Azizi and his assistants from the University of Medical Sciences in Tehran (Iran) conducted a study measuring the levels of glucose, bilirubin, calcium, phosphorus, protein, albumin, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, prolactin, and several other substances in the serum of nine healthy men. Analyzes were taken on the 10th, 20th and 29th days of Ramadan. Measurements of average body weight on day 29 showed that it decreased from 65.4 kg to 61.6 kg. Serum glucose levels fell from 82 mg/dL on day 10 and subsequently increased to 76 mg/dL on day 20 and 84 mg/dL on day 29 of fasting. The serum bilirubin level on the 10th day increased from 0.56 to 1.43 mg/dl, and then fell (on the 20th and 29th days its values ​​​​were 1.1 mg/dl.) All indicators returned to normal four weeks after Ramadan. No significant changes were observed in serum calcium, phosphorus, protein, albumin, or any of the measured hormones. Dr. Azizi concluded that intermittent abstinence from food and drink for 17 hours a day for 29 days did not affect male reproductive hormones or the minor metabolism of hypothalamic mucus thyroid hormones.

From the results of the two studies described above, it follows that Islamic fasting does not cause any side effects in a healthy body and has a beneficial effect on weight loss and lipid metabolism.

How is Islamic fasting different from other types of fasting?
Undoubtedly, Islamic fasting differs from the above-mentioned medical diets, since it has a beneficial effect in two aspects at once. Its unique medical properties are due to the following factors:

1. Compared to other diets, there is no malnutrition or inadequate calorie intake when fasting during Ramadan, as there are no restrictions on the food eaten for Iftar or Suhoor. This was confirmed by M.M. Hussaini in Ramadan 1074, when he conducted a study on the diet of Muslim students at the University of North Dakota in Fargo. He concluded that the caloric intake of Muslim students during the fasting period was two-thirds of the required medical norm.
2. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is voluntary. It is not prescribed by a doctor. In the hypothalamus part of the brain there is a center called "lipostat". It controls the weight of the human body. When a large weight loss occurs as a result of a complete and strict diet, the center reacts to this change as a disaster, reprogramming the body to quickly regain the lost pounds as soon as the person finishes the fasting diet. So, the only effective way to lose weight may be a gradual, controlled and step-by-step dietary restriction, provoked by appropriate changes in behavior. A person must consciously give up excess food. Ramadan is a month of self-control and self-education, which also implies nutritional discipline, which successfully influences lipostat programming.
3. In Islamic fasting, we are not subject to the tendency of selective eating (that is, consuming only proteins, carbohydrates, fruits, etc.). Before dawn, a light breakfast is taken, and after sunset the fast is broken with something sweet, such as dates, fruits, juices, in order to avoid hypoglycemia caused by a heavy dinner, which is taken a little later.
4. After dinner, additional prayers are performed to help metabolize the food. Using calorie counting, I calculated how much energy is burned during the additional Tarawih prayer - it is about 200 calories. The Islamic prayer called Salat involves exercise of all muscles and ligaments and in terms of caloric expenditure can be classified as mild physical exercise.
5. Fasting Ramadan itself is an exercise in self-discipline. For heavy smokers, sweet tooths or coffee lovers, this will be a good workout to tame the habit in the hope that its effect will last beyond Ramadan.
6. Muslims also testify to the psychological effect of fasting. They say that Ramadan brings them a feeling of peace and tranquility. The Prophet advised Muslims: “If you are bullied or compromised for a fight, say: I am fasting.” Consequently, hostility towards other people during Ramadan is minimal. During this month, the number of crimes committed sharply decreases in Muslim countries.

I can say for myself that from the first days of fasting in Ramadan, I began to feel better with every gram of weight I lost. I worked and prayed more, which improved my physical stamina and mental abilities. Since I have my own laboratory in the office, I often checked my tests, namely, the level of glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol in the blood before the start and end of Ramadan. At the end of the month, I noted noticeable improvements in my tests. Since, thanks to God, I don’t have problems with excess weight, my weight loss was minimal - I lost a kilogram, and soon made up for lost time. Fasting in Ramadan will be a true blessing for overweight people, as well as for those who are accustomed to smoking and gluttony. Such people will be able to learn to control their bad habits.

Post for patients of hospitals and clinics
As mentioned earlier, patients are exempt from fasting. But some of them may still decide to experiment. For them, I offer the following recommendations:

1. For patients suffering from diabetes. Diabetics who are prescribed only a diet can fast and with weight loss their disease may go away or at least their condition will improve. Diabetics who are prescribed hypoglycemic drugs like Orinase along with their diet should adhere to the following precautions while fasting: they should reduce the dose of the drug by one third, and take the tablet not in the morning, but during Iftar in the evening. If they feel or determine that their blood sugar levels have dropped, they should immediately break their fast. Diabetics taking insulin should never fast. If they decide to fast at their own risk, they should do so under close medical supervision and with significant changes in insulin dosage. Those diabetics who are fasting must maintain their diet during Iftar, Suhoor and dinner. Breaking the fast with sweets, which is widely practiced during Ramadan, will harm their health. They should measure their blood sugar levels before breakfast, and after breaking the fast.
2. Patients suffering from high blood pressure or heart disease. People with mild to moderate blood pressure and those who are overweight should fast as fasting will help reduce their blood pressure. Before doing this, they need to go to a doctor to confirm with him what medications can or cannot be taken while fasting. For example, it is recommended to reduce your intake of diuretics to avoid dehydration. Long-term medications such as Inderal or Tenormin should be taken once a day before Suhur. People with high blood pressure or serious heart disease should not fast at all.
3. Patients suffering from headaches and migraines. Headaches, dehydration, or low blood sugar become worse during fasting. With a strict drinking and eating regimen, the amount of free fatty acids in the blood increases, which directly affects the intensification of migraines due to the release of catecholamine. Patients suffering from migraines are advised not to fast.
4. Pregnant women(normal pregnancy, no complications). This situation is not easy. Pregnancy is not a medical condition, and exemption from fasting in such a situation is not mentioned either by medicine or by the Quran. However, the Prophet said that pregnant and lactating women do not need to fast because God does not want any creature, even a small fetus, to suffer. It is impossible to know whether fasting can harm the fetus during pregnancy, and finding out about it may be too late. In my opinion, During the first and third trimester of pregnancy, women should not fast. If Ramadan finds a woman in the second trimester (4-6 months of pregnancy), the woman can fast at her own discretion, provided that:
   1. she is in good health and
   2. she will fast after the permission of the gynecologist and under his clear and regular supervision.

Possible harm to the fetus can be caused not due to malnutrition, but due to dehydration due to prolonged (10-14 hours) abstinence from water.

American researchers have indirectly confirmed the benefits of Muslim fasting.

They were able to uncover a cellular mechanism that explains the connection between fasting and lifespan in humans and other mammals. Islam prescribes abstaining from food and liquids V daylight hours during the month of Ramadan. Scientists David Sinclair and his colleagues found that during fasting, the SIRT3 and SIRT4 genes are activated, which prolong the life of cells. Perhaps this information can be used to create drugs for diseases associated with aging. Mitochondria are responsible for energy metabolism in cells. Scientists have previously suggested that the work of mitochondria is related to the lifespan of an organism. When mitochondria are depleted, the cell becomes vulnerable to damage, and a program of self-destruction begins. The signal for the onset of apoptosis is a decrease in the amount of NAD+ in mitochondria, the cell nucleus and cytoplasm.

An experiment during which laboratory animals fasted for only 48 hours revealed that during this time the Nampt protein was activated in the rodents’ body, which triggered the synthesis of NAD+ in the cytoplasm, which in turn leads to an increase in the synthesis of enzymes encoded by the SIRT3 and SIRT4 genes . These enzymes have a beneficial effect on the functioning of mitochondria and energy metabolism in the cell, that is, they slow down cell aging and prevent apoptosis. “If it were possible to maintain a high concentration of NAD+ in mitochondria, which would stimulate SIRT3 and SIRT4, for some period of time the cell would not need anything else,” explain the study authors. They called this phenomenon the mitochondrial oasis hypothesis. It can be assumed that there is a certain molecule that could affect the concentration of NAD+ in mitochondria, as well as SIRT3 and SIRT4. By creating such a molecule, life expectancy can be significantly increased. There are suggestions that fasting helps rejuvenate the body and prolong life. According to scientists at the University of Florida under the leadership of Dr. Christian Leuwenburg, insufficient intake of nutrients into the body and their subsequent limited delivery to cells, in turn, prolongs their life by activating intracellular autophagy - the breakdown and recycling of damaged mitochondria and other cellular structures, which can later used as new-forming cellular material to ensure life activity. But young cells, in turn, have the ability to quickly recycle damaged structures from old cells and use them to build new organelles or replenish energy reserves.

Unfortunately, as cells age, they lose this ability, which leads to the accumulation of damaged organelles and aging of the entire organism. Experiments conducted by scientists on animals indicate that fasting increases the ability of heart cells of old animals to self-cleanse by 120% and had virtually no effect on the condition of the cells of young animals. To assess the effect of restricting calorie intake on the ability of cells to get rid of toxic waste products, scientists assessed changes in the content of certain proteins in the body depending on age and diet. It turned out that the cells of old animals that were subject to starvation were characterized by a very high level of proteins, which is essential for starting the process of autophagy. It remains interesting that activation of autophagy is especially important primarily for heart cells, which contain a large number of mitochondria. Partial recycling of damaged mitochondrial organelles is the key to maintaining the performance of the heart muscle of an aging organism as a whole.

It has also been discovered that deformed membranes of slowly dividing or non-dividing aging cells with endogenous nutrition acquire shapes similar to those of cells of young animals. That is, with HS there is a process of restoration of cell barriers. The division process of rapidly dividing cells slows down. At the same time, the restructuring of the enzymatic system ensures strengthening of the receptor apparatus of efferent cells (nerve endings) due to a qualitative improvement in the state of the enzymes of these receptors (chemoreceptors), which are embedded in the cell membrane and are capable of enhancing the barrier function through the activation of the intracellular nucleotide cAMP. Thus, with HS, a comprehensive restoration of cell barrier functions is ensured by normalizing membranes and strengthening the cAMP system. Due to the renewal of the genetic apparatus of cells, cells are formed during fasting, and additional cells appear in some organs. As a result of the elimination of old, damaged cells and the appearance of new stem cells, the organs and tissues of the body become much younger.

I want to remind you that Islam prescribes to abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours during the month of Ramadan, that is, it turns out to be short-term.

Experimental studies on the effects of Muslim fasting on healthy and sick people

Fasting and the immune system

The effect of continuous fasting on the functioning of the gonads

A group of six healthy people aged 26 to 45 years was examined in a clinic in Massachusetts (USA). The survey was carried out in three stages:

• The preparatory stage lasted three days, during which the subjects ate according to their usual daily schedule.
• A period of fasting, or complete abstinence from food, lasted 10 days, during which the subjects did not eat around the clock, receiving only distilled water, which they could drink day and night.
• Breaking out of hunger within five days. On days 2, 11 and 16, blood tests were taken to study sex hormones. On the 3rd, 12th and 17th days after stimulation of the pituitary gland with hormone (LRH), repeated blood tests were performed. In this case, the following hormones were studied: male hormone (testosterone) and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) and luteinizing hormones belonging to the gonadotropic group. The results were as follows:

During the fast, testosterone levels dropped significantly and continued to decline for another three days after breaking the fast. On the fourth day of recovery from starvation, the level of this hormone jumped sharply, exceeding its usual value observed before starvation.

During fasting, the content of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones in urine increased significantly, remaining at this level for another three days after the end of fasting. It is likely that this shows the limited effect of fasting on reducing sexual potency. It follows that the influence of fasting on sexual desire is expressed by two facts: firstly, sexual desire decreases during fasting and for several more days after it; secondly, after the end of fasting, sexual intercourse reaches a higher level than before fasting.

Ramadan is a good reason for Muslims to put things in order: to bring spiritual and physical life into line with the norms, to change their lifestyle, to give up bad habits. During the entire month of fasting and prayer, believers are required to abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, which is not only a spiritual but also a physical test. What should the diet be like? What problems may arise and how to deal with them? How not to harm the body, but to benefit from such strict abstinence from food? We bring to your attention a special guide, developed by the UK Department of Health in collaboration with the National Health Service (NHS) and the national Islamic community, where you will find answers to these questions, as well as information on maximizing medical benefits during Muslim fasting. In preparing the manual, the material was consulted with medical experts, Islamic scholars and researchers.

Physiological changes in the body during fasting depend on its duration. Physiologically, the body enters a state of hunger approximately eight hours after the last meal, when the absorption of nutrients in the intestines is completed. Under normal conditions, glucose, deposited in the liver and muscles in the form of glycogen, is the main source of energy for the body. During fasting, glucose reserves are quickly used up, and fat becomes the next source of energy. Only during prolonged fasting (up to several weeks) does the body turn to proteins for energy, which is why people who are starved look exhausted and become very weak. Since the Ramadan fast lasts only from dawn to dusk, there are great opportunities to replenish energy reserves in the predawn hours and after sunset. This ensures a gradual transition from glucose to fat consumption and prevents muscle protein consumption. Using fat to replenish the body's energy promotes weight loss while preserving muscle and ultimately lowers cholesterol levels. In addition, weight loss leads to better diabetes control and lowers blood pressure. A detoxification process also occurs as body fat toxins are dissolved and eliminated. After a few days of fasting, the level of endorphins in the blood increases, which improves attention and overall mental state.

During fasting, a balanced diet with sufficient nutrients, salts and water is important. Food should be simple and not very different from normal daily food, contain products from all major food groups: fruits and vegetables, bread and cereals, potatoes, milk and dairy products, fish and meat. As well as foods containing complex carbohydrates, which slowly release energy over long hours. These are grains: barley, wheat, oats, beans, lentils, rice, foods rich in fiber that are slowly digested: bran, cereals, whole wheat, seeds, potatoes with skin, vegetables, green beans, almost all fruits, dates, etc. .d. Fried foods, especially deep-fried foods, should be avoided. It is better to bake in the oven or on fire; if you fry, then shallowly. Try to reduce the amount of vegetable oil consumed to 4-5 tablespoons per day, avoid fatty oriental sweets (baklava, fatty cookies, etc.).

Which foods are beneficial and which are harmful?

A balanced diet with adequate nutrients, salt and sufficient water is important to maintain vitality.

Fasting is supposed to improve a person's health, but if you don't follow the right diet, you can get into trouble. And the determining factor in the state of health is not fasting itself, but the food that is consumed at the appropriate time, its quality and quantity. In addition, it is important to remember that by being overly addicted to food (gluttony), a person harms not only his body, but also his spiritual growth.

During the holy month of Ramadan, food should be moderate and as simple as possible. Taking into account the long hours of fasting, you should consume slowly rather than quickly digestible foods, including those containing fiber. The energy from slowly digestible foods can last for 8 hours, while from quickly digestible foods – only for 3-4 hours.

Slowly digestible foods - foods containing complex carbohydrates (grains and seeds: barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, wholemeal, brown rice, etc.)

Quickly digestible foods - foods containing free, refined carbohydrates (sugar, flour, for example, premium flour).

The food consumed should contain foods from each food group (fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products).

It is important to exclude: fried and fatty foods; foods containing a lot of sugar.

You should avoid: overeating, excessive consumption of tea (especially during Suhoor, tea has diuretic properties, while removing valuable mineral salts that the body needs during the day); smoking. If you are unable to quit smoking, gradually reduce your cigarette consumption, starting a few weeks before Ramadan. Smoking is haram, that is, forbidden and considered one of the sins. Smoking is harmful to health and should be stopped completely.

What is there?

Complex carbohydrates in suhoor so that food takes longer to digest.

Dates are an excellent source of sugar, fiber, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium.

Almonds are rich in protein and fiber.

Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.

What to drink?

Drink as much water or fruit juice as possible between iftar and bedtime.

Eating foods containing large amounts of carbohydrates and fats (especially when eating after sunset) is fraught with a high likelihood of weight gain.

Spirituality and food

Nutrition is of great importance in Islam. Through food, relationships with the Almighty are built. Chapter 20 (verse 81) of the Qur'an states that nutrition should promote a healthy life and not indulge in bad habits, the physical body is a divine gift and one should take the best possible care of it. The choice of products that have a beneficial effect on the physical and spiritual state of a person depends on the person himself. And health and well-being depend on his choice.

The products consumed affect the state of mind, psyche and overall human behavior. Natural healthy food promotes development. Gluttony dulls the spirit, causes slowness of action, and contributes to the development of physical ailments. Islam views health and well-being as much broader than just physical health: well-being and tranquility require a strong connection with spirituality, good physical health, peace of mind, meaning in life, a good reputation and good relationships with others.

What benefits do those who fast receive?

1. Fasting is a period of spiritual growth and cleansing of the physical body, which brings great dividends in the future. A person becomes less concerned about the issues of pleasing his body, thinks more about issues of the universe, relationships with the Almighty, and others.

2. Leading a healthy lifestyle, a person learns restraint, his self-awareness and discipline increase, and respect for food is cultivated. Fasting helps to reconsider your usual way of eating and living.

3. Ramadan is the month of mercy. Fasting helps to develop qualities such as compassion and charity.

4. This period helps to improve the mood in society: people care more about each other, without being divided into rich and poor, white collar workers and manual workers. Everyone eats at the same time and prays at the same time.

5. If you fast without spiritual improvement, this is a waste of time. They do not fast in order to lose a couple of extra pounds. Avoiding food for a long period of time is not easy. But at the end of the month you will feel lighter. Ramadan is the perfect time to break bad habits, which will improve your character.

Fasting is not just “abstaining from eating and drinking, but also from empty talk.”

How to deal with possible illnesses

1. Heartburn may occur during fasting. An acidic environment in the stomach is a necessary condition for digesting food and destroying bacteria. During fasting, less acid is released, but thoughts about food and its smell provoke its release. As a result, heartburn may occur. Therefore, people with stomach diseases who regularly take drugs that neutralize the acidic environment can continue to take them (proton pump inhibitors - before meals in the wee hours, H2 receptor blockers - before bed). Food cooked with a minimum amount of oil and without strong spices will help control heartburn or belching. For those who suffer from heartburn, it is recommended to sleep on high pillows.

2. Interestingly, in many countries, type 2 diabetes mellitus is not a contraindication for fasting, but for such patients a preliminary consultation with a doctor is required (they will probably need adjustments to their glucose-lowering medications during fasting) and strict glycemic control. This especially applies to patients with complications of diabetes (cardiovascular diseases, retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy). Low blood sugar levels during fasting are dangerous as they can lead to weakness and cramps, which should be avoided. Dizziness, sweating, disorientation are the first signs of low blood glucose levels. If these symptoms appear, you should immediately drink a sweet drink or put a piece of sugar or candy under your tongue. Long-acting tablets (glibenclamide) increase the risk of hypoglycemia and should be replaced with short-acting drugs before starting fasting.

Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes should not fast.

3. Headache. During fasting, it can be the result of dehydration, hunger, insufficient rest, or lack of caffeine (or nicotine). A moderate, balanced diet, eating before dawn without skipping meals, drinking enough fluids and, if necessary, taking a pain reliever (such as paracetamol) are of great importance in preventing headaches. Such reasonable measures as avoiding overheating (staying in the shade, wearing a hat, sunglasses), and eliminating muscle tension with massage will also help with this. If the above measures do not relieve your headache, you should urgently consult a doctor.

The cause of headaches may be caffeine and tobacco withdrawal. If you have low blood pressure, the headache can be quite severe and can cause nausea before iftar. The most common cause of headaches is dehydration.

4. Dehydration. This is a common occurrence during fasting. The body loses water and salts through breathing, sweat and urine. The amount of fluid lost varies depending on the weather, individual water needs, level of physical activity, and the ability of the kidneys to retain water and salts. During fasting, there is a risk of dehydration if you don't drink early in the day. This risk is higher in older people and in people taking diuretics. Depending on the degree of dehydration, a person may experience malaise, weakness, cramps, dizziness, disorientation, and even loss of consciousness. If you are unable to stand up due to dizziness or disorientation, you should immediately drink a moderate amount of water (preferably with a little sugar and salt added) or a rehydration solution.

5. For diseases such as arterial hypertension and bronchial asthma, it is important to first consult with a doctor; it is important to continue taking medications regularly.

6. Constipation can cause discomfort during fasting. To avoid the problem, you also need to think in advance: include fruits, vegetables, bran in your diet, and be sure to drink enough. This will help keep your bowel movements regular. If constipation does occur, laxatives will help.

7. Stress. Changes in eating and drinking patterns and night sleep can trigger stress. It is important to avoid situations that lead to tension, manage your emotions, and refrain from smoking.

8. Obesity. Fasting is a good opportunity to adjust your diet and cope with the problems that come with uncontrolled eating.

Questions and answers

1. 1. Can a person with diabetes fast?

Maybe. However, those prescribed insulin are advised to refrain from fasting.

1. 2. Is this post suitable for pregnant women?

Better to post later.

1. 3. Is it possible to swim during Ramadan?

Yes. It is also allowed to take a bath and shower. But you are not allowed to swallow water.

1. 4. Is it possible for a person to fast during a blood transfusion in a hospital?

1. 5. Is it possible for a woman who is breastfeeding to fast?

Traditions exempt a nursing mother from fasting.

1. 6. Can a fasting person take pills, injections, or use inhalers?

Anything that passes through the stomach is unacceptable on fasting days. Droppers, injections, or putting drops into the eyes do not break the fast. The use of an inhaler is advisable during Suhoor and Iftar. However, in case of an acute attack, you can use an inhaler. This will break the fast and will need to be restored. Injecting medicine into the genitals breaks the fast. Islamic law exempts those for whom treatment is indicated from fasting.

1. 7. Is it possible to break the fast when dehydrated?

Definitely, if for some reason a person becomes ill (faints, loses consciousness, becomes disoriented), the fast should be interrupted and the person given something to drink. Deterioration of the condition contradicts the true purposes of fasting. Anyone who breaks the fast can return to it later.

1. 8. Is it possible to fast while on dialysis?

Such patients should not fast. If the illness is long-lasting, then you can feed those who need help twice a day.

1. 9. Is it possible to get tested?

As for the necessary examinations, you need to look at the situation. If outpatient tests can be postponed, it is better to do them at another time. Blood tests, studies requiring intravenous access or contrast media are not allowed. If tests need to be taken for vital reasons, they must be done immediately. Fasting should under no circumstances cause harm to health.

Tips for healthcare workers

Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, providing an opportunity for medical workers to promote the idea of ​​healing, advising Muslims to change their lifestyle, diet, and give up bad habits. Fasting is obligatory for sexually mature healthy people. The exception is for patients traveling, as well as women during menstruation, pregnant women and breastfeeding women. They can either be exempted from fasting completely (for example, people taking insulin) or they can be allowed to postpone the fast to a later time (travelers and women during menstruation). Relaxations exist to prevent people from fasting, causing harm to their health.

• If an acute illness occurs, fasting can be postponed and ended after recovery.
• For chronic diseases (eye, dermatological, neurological), fasting can be continued if it does not cause complications. If the patient is taking an oral drug, the daily dose can be reduced. It is allowed to continue taking external agents; injections are not, since they lead to bleeding, albeit minor.
• Fasting itself can have physiological effects on cardiovascular, renal, and gastrointestinal diseases. Although fasting is possible in many of these conditions, it may not be well tolerated physiologically, especially in older patients who are particularly committed to fasting. In some cases where a chronic illness requires a long period of time to recover and maintain a stable condition, adjusting medications by the hour may be impractical and potentially harmful.
• During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the mother's regular intake of food and fluids is very important. In such cases, from a medical point of view, it is better to cancel or postpone fasting.
• Physical examinations, including rectal and vaginal examinations, do not violate the requirements of the fast. Blood tests (drawn blood from a finger or vein) or clinical studies that require the administration of a contrast agent will break the fast. Where possible, laboratory tests can be postponed, but urgent research must be carried out.

Each situation should be considered in the context of the patient's fasting. This guideline is not universal, but the above examples show that fasting should not be observed at the expense of health. Fasting is a physical and spiritual experience that requires a lot of preparation. If you are physically unwell or unsure of your health status, it is advisable to talk to your doctor before starting the fast. Discuss your medical conditions and explore possible treatment alternatives that your doctor may suggest.

The composition and quantity of food affects your health, and abstaining from food can help improve self-discipline and restraint, if done appropriately. Fasting is an opportunity to make a choice in favor of a healthy lifestyle and put an end to bad habits. Remember: by fasting you can improve your health, both physical and mental. Maximize your benefits and minimize health problems.

Ramadan is a wonderful opportunity for doctors and pharmacists to talk with patients about changes in lifestyle, a conscious attitude towards their health, teach them to eat right, move a lot, find time to communicate, and keep their nerves under control.

Happy Ramadan to all Muslims, may purification and enlightenment bring new vitality. Let this be another step towards healthy longevity.

Eid is a month-long fast in Islam. During this holy month, people perform repentance, pray, console their loved ones, abstain from forbidden things and follow fasting.

This year the holiday will last from July 20 to August 18. Islamic faith suggests that the holy book Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. What is fasting and to whom is it contraindicated?

Why does the body need to fast?

As they say, fasting is not in the belly, but in the head. According to religious teachings, abstaining from food and alcohol helps to purify oneself spiritually. But this is not the only reason why you should keep your spirits up.

It has been scientifically proven that short periods during which a person abstains from the usual food help not only get rid of excess pounds, but also improve well-being. Proper nutrition and limited calorie intake help extend our lifespan.

In 1930, an experiment was conducted on mice: the animals were fed low-calorie food rich in nutritional components. The result was surprising, because all the mice lived much longer. One of them broke a world record, living 40% above normal. If she were human, she would live to be 120 years old.

Calorie restriction and intermittent fasting primarily benefit metabolism. In 2003, studies were repeated in mice that revealed lower insulin levels and glycemia as a result of calorie restriction.

The most common disease that occurs due to metabolic disorders in the body is diabetes mellitus. Modern “wrong” lifestyle and high-calorie diet increases the risk of diabetes. Intermittent fasting increases the sensitivity of peripheral cells to insulin, reducing the likelihood of developing this disease.

Representatives of various religious movements have long argued that fasting is beneficial for both the soul and the body. Beginning in the 1900s, doctors began to seriously study the effects of fasting on the human body. The results were positive:

1. Intermittent fasting and abstinence from food improves brain activity. Protein production increases, which leads to the activation of brain stem cells.
2. Low-calorie nutrition helps prevent Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, and also keeps the neuromuscular system in good shape.
3. Fasting improves metabolism and therefore prevents the development of diabetes. A balanced metabolism also strengthens blood vessels and prevents the deposition of cholesterol plaques, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular pathologies and atherosclerosis.

In addition, restrictions on food intake improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. A person can get rid of excess gas formation (flatulence) and normalize stool.

Cheers - basic rules

There is a big difference between Islamic fasting and medical diets. During the holy month (Ramadan), malnutrition or inadequate intake of high-calorie foods does not occur. There are no restrictions on the foods a person can consume during Suhoor or Iftar.

Compliance with the rules is a voluntary decision. Ramadan is a period of self-education and self-control. Doctors recommend breaking fast gradually. This is due to a special central hypothalamic part of the brain called “lipostat”. It is responsible for body weight. When a person begins to fast, partially and at times completely refusing to eat, rapid weight loss occurs. The ongoing process causes stress in the body, so lipostat reprograms it to regain lost kilograms. After the end of fasting, a person begins to eat his usual food and regain lost weight. To avoid this outcome, you need to limit your diet little by little and gradually.

During Ramadan, all vital elements (proteins, fats, carbohydrates, etc.) are taken. Before sunrise, take a light breakfast, and after sunset - fruits and fruit juices. A little later they have a more hearty dinner. During fasting, the first evening meal begins with dates or a glass of water. Doctors recommend eating dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, prunes), as they provoke the consumption of large amounts of water, which will contribute to weight loss.

After the evening meal, additional prayers (Tarawih) are performed, which improve absorption. This prayer engages all muscles and ligaments, so it helps to get rid of excess calories. Some consider it to be mild physical exercise.

Uraza also eliminates any bad habits. For avid coffee drinkers or smokers, this post is a good way to test endurance and self-discipline.

It was noticed that during Ramadan the number of crimes committed in Islamic states decreased. Muslims say that fasting has a beneficial effect on the human psyche, making him peaceful and calm. The Prophet Muhammad said that if a person is provoked into a fight, he needs to answer: “I am fasting.”

Religious beliefs help reduce hostility between people during this holy month and reduce crime rates.

Compliance with exercise - contraindications

Of course, limiting the foods you consume is good for your health. However, there are certain diseases that become an obstacle during fasting.

According to Islam, wanderers, the sick, old people (over 70-80 years old), children (under 15 years old), pregnant and nursing mothers can not keep the fast. The main principle of fasting is to heal and pacify people. It should not harm a sick person.

In this regard, the following categories of people suffering from diseases are allowed not to fast during Ramadan:

• severe type 1 diabetics;
• diabetics with signs of ketoacidosis;
• hard-to-control type 1 and 2 diabetics;
• patients with arterial hypertension, hypertension;
• patients infected with secondary infection;
• elderly people suffering from musculoskeletal diseases;
• patients who have had 2 or more cases of hyper- or hypoglycemia;
• patients during exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
• patients who have suffered strokes and major heart attacks;
• mentally ill;
• patients with acute infectious diseases;
• patients with liver or kidney dysfunction;
• patients suffering from heart failure.

Anyone who needs outside care and is seriously ill can not follow the rules. It is not recommended to interrupt the consumption of necessary medications during fasting. You should consult your doctor about changing the dosage and timing of certain medications. It is sometimes impossible to completely give up medications, for example, for insulin-dependent diabetics.

Fasting is necessary for diabetics if they can control their sugar levels. This is encouraged if you are overweight by 20% or more.

Uraza is useful for people who want to develop self-discipline, lose weight and improve their health. According to Islam, some seriously ill people are allowed to skip fasting. Abstaining and reducing food intake requires special endurance, and if you overcome this test, you can improve both your mental and physical condition. It is worth it because during fasting the digestive system rests, the body is cleansed and metabolism improves.