Fasting has mental and physical benefits, says expert<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Moslems see Ramadhan as a month of blessing that
\nprovides them with the opportunity to purify themselves. They
\nhope that, through fasting, God will reward them with forgiveness
\nfor their wrongdoings. They also believe God will return their
\ngood deeds many times over.<\/p>\n
Fasting is one of the five pillars in Islam, as stated in
\nSura Al-Baqara 183. Ye who Believes! Fasting is prescribed to you
\nas it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn)
\nself restraint.<\/p>\n
Only the aged, pregnant women, nursing mothers, sick people
\nand those who are traveling long distances are exempted from this
\nobligation.<\/p>\n
Dr. Zamakhsyari Dhofier, a lecturer at the State Academy for
\nIslamic Studies (IAIN) in Jakarta, said recently the fasting
\nmonth serves to bring Moslems closer to God and to seek His
\nmercy.<\/p>\n
\"Fasting is not intended to make people feel thirsty and
\nhungry; it has a transcendental meaning, which is to guide
\nMoslems to achieve the highest point of religious devotion,\" he
\nsaid. Moreover, research reveals fasting has both moral and
\nphysical virtues.<\/p>\n
According to a newly-released book by Moslem scholar Prof.
\nHembing Wijayakusuma, entitled Puasa itu Sehat (Fasting is
\nHealthy), fasting holds mental and physical benefits.<\/p>\n
In his book, Hembing describes how fasting might boost the
\nimmune system. During a fasting period, more than 600 billion
\nbody cells work hard to stimulate one's antibody system.<\/p>\n
\"People shouldn't worry about getting sick and hungry when
\nthey are fasting,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The human body has natural energy reserves (glycogen) derived
\nfrom carbohydrate intake which are adequate to support the body
\nfor 25 hours.<\/p>\n
People fasting have the opportunity to let their digestion
\nsystems become inactive temporarily.<\/p>\n
\"Our digestive system works hard at processing food intake
\nthroughout the day,\" Hembing, a professor at the University of
\nDongshins University in South Korea, told a seminar organized by
\nPT Gramedia Pustaka Usaha last week.<\/p>\n
He added the process to make the food absorbable into one's
\nbody takes about eight hours. During fasting time, people usually
\nhave their sahur (dawn breakfast) at 4 a.m. This means the food
\nprocessing finishes at 12 noon. From 12 noon to 6 p.m. their
\nstomachs are empty and their digestive systems totally inactive.
\nThis means the digestive system has a chance to rest at least one
\nmonth a year. Even a car engine needs a break, let alone human
\norgans, said Hembing, who is also chairman of the Indonesian
\nAcupuncturists Association.<\/p>\n
After taking a break all digestive organs become more active.
\nTheir ability to process food and absorb its nutrients increase.<\/p>\n
\"When you break your fast, start with sweet drinks and sweet
\ncakes. This sort of food contains glucose. Prophet Muhammad
\nsuggested we break our fast with some dates, a specific fruit
\nfound in Middle East countries,\" Hembing said.<\/p>\n
He added that the Prophet's suggestion has a medical purpose.
\nThe sweet dates are rich in nutrition and glucose. \"When we eat
\ndates, our bodies will immediately regain the glucose and energy
\nbadly needed after fasting for more than 12 hours,\" he explained.<\/p>\n
Hembing also suggested people have sahur before fasting. \"We
\nneed energy reserve throughout the day, and sahur meals provide
\nus with these needs. If we have enough energy in the body, there
\nis no reason to lead an idle life during the fasting month,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Fasting is also a time to limit food supply into one's body.
\nThere is a huge amount of toxic waste including urine, CO2, sweat
\nand feces in one's body. \"If we eat too much, we pose the risk of
\npiling up hazardous waste in our intestines. It could also lead
\nto constipation,\" Hembing explained.<\/p>\n
Another encouraging fact shows that fasting improves human
\nantibody system. Research from the University of Osaka in Japan
\nrevealed fasting can increase the amount of leukocyte, or white
\nblood cells, in a fasting person's body.<\/p>\n
The researches involved a number of volunteers who were asked
\nto fast for a certain period of time to study the impact of
\nfasting on their bodies.<\/p>\n
The research's results showed that in the first six days of
\nfasting, there was no indication of any increase in white blood
\ncells.<\/p>\n
In the seventh to tenth days of fasting, the team found that
\nthe amount of leukocyte dramatically increased. The rise of the
\namount of white blood cells will enhance one's antibody (immune)
\nsystem which protects the body from various external attacks.<\/p>\n
A number of medical experts in South Korea, China, Taiwan, and
\nthe United States have recommended fasting as an alternative
\nmedical therapy for several diseases, including hypertension,
\ncancer, diabetes mellitus, insomnia, kidney failure and ovarium
\ncancer.<\/p>\n
Psychological<\/p>\n
In addition to series of physical benefits, fasting can have a
\npositive psychological impact, Hembing said.<\/p>\n
He mentioned the newest finding in the psychiatric world
\nproved fasting could help improve one's Emotional Quotient (EQ).
\nPsychologically, a human being is determined not only by his\/her
\nIntelligence Quotient (IQ) but also by his\/her EQ.<\/p>\n
EQ influences the development of human behavior. It influences
\npeople's abilities to manage their self-control, self-discipline,
\nempathy, affection, anger, and so on.<\/p>\n
When fasting, Moslems are required to properly control their
\nemotions and enrich their spiritual lives. Fasting can eliminate
\nstress, depression and frustration. It can also cure various
\nemotional problems, such as anger, jealousy and hatred.<\/p>\n
Fasting is a time for exercising self-control and greater
\ndiscipline, the scholar added. (raw)<\/p>",
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