Fasting can actually improve your health<\/p>\n
By Tri Hafiningsih<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan can
\nimprove your overall health, new research shows.<\/p>\n
The research, which was presented early this week, showed that
\nan average of 12 percent reduction of caloric intake during the
\nmonth's fasting period can reduce the production of free radicals
\nand at the same time improve the anti-oxidant level in the body.<\/p>\n
Free radical(s) is a popular term for an atom or group of
\natoms with a single unpaired electron -- capable of damaging,
\neven killing human cells. It is formed during the body's normal
\nmetabolism, as well as from radiation and pollution.<\/p>\n
Anti-oxidant agents in the body, on the other hand, functions
\nas protection against free radical attacks. The inability to
\nproduce enough anti-oxidant decreases the ability to fight
\nagainst infections or illnesses.<\/p>\n
An internist and consultant for geriatrics, Siti Setiati, with
\nseveral of her colleagues at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital
\nin Central Jakarta concluded in their research that fasting
\ncorrelates with a significant improvement in health.<\/p>\n
Siti based the research on earlier findings that 30 to 50
\npercent restriction of caloric intake of some tested animals
\nresulted in longer life. The same research conducted in 1998
\nshowed food restriction also resulted in significant improvement
\nof anti-oxidant level, as well as decrease the production of free
\nradicals in the animals. The caloric reduction in white mice
\nimproved their average life expectancy to 33 months compare to
\nthe normal average expectancy of 23 months. The highest life
\nexpectancy rate recorded for the species was 47 months.<\/p>\n
Food restriction can also reduce the chances of being
\nafflicted by cancer, cataract, kidney failure, diabetes, or
\nhypertension. Similar experiments were conducted on protozoa,
\nfish, insects, and spiders. Experiments on monkeys is currently
\nin progress.<\/p>\n
\"We conducted our research out of curiosity whether such
\nfindings applied to human beings,\" she told reporters.<\/p>\n
However, Siti said caloric restriction could not be tested on
\nhuman beings.<\/p>\n
\"We can't tell people to reduce their normal diet by 30 or 50
\npercent. It's not ethical,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Then, the team of researchers turned to the fasting ritual to
\nfind respondents with caloric restriction requirements. The
\nrestriction averaged only 12 percent to 15 percent, much less
\nthan the 30 percent to 50 percent requirements resulting in
\nhigher life expectancy in the tested animals. \"At least we have
\nsomewhere to start,\" Siti said.<\/p>\n
During the fasting month of Ramadhan, Muslims have to abstain
\nfrom food and drink from dawn to sunset.<\/p>\n
Siti said during the fasting period, people have different
\ndiets compared to normal food consumption outside Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
Earlier research shows that while fasting, a person has an
\naverage of 12 percent to 15 percent reduction of caloric intake
\ncompared to that of their normal diet.<\/p>\n
For the latest research, the observations were recorded four
\ntimes: the seventh day before Ramadhan, after the first week and
\nthe 17th day of the month, and at the second week after the
\nfasting month.<\/p>\n
The results show that the production of free radicals
\ndecreases significantly during the fasting period and they
\nincrease again after the fasting month -- but still on lower
\nlevels compared to that before fasting.<\/p>\n
Similar observations on 42 elderly patients show that during
\nthe fasting period their kidney function was better.<\/p>\n
\"There were no disturbances related to kidney functions of the
\nrespondents, as long as the body has enough liquids,\" Siti said.<\/p>\n
Other observations on fasting respondents showed similar
\nimprovement in various indicators, such as total cholesterol
\nlevel, blood sugar responses of diabetics, and ability to prevent
\ndisturbances in the blood's thrombosis that can lead to arterial
\nor venal coagulations, coronary diseases, and stroke.<\/p>\n
Siti and her fellow doctors concluded that fasting could
\nimprove health. \"I really believe that,\" Siti said.<\/p>\n
But can it grant you a longer life? \"Nobody knows. But with
\ngood health, you'd probably have a more useful and fruitful
\nlife.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fasting-can-actually-improve-your-health-1447893297",
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