Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

Kimberly Wenger — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:58:49 GMT

For anyone truly interested in fasting as way to assist the body in healing, you should read: "How and When to Be Your Own Doctor" by Isabelle A. Moser and Steven Solomon, found at www.soilandhealth.org and which can be downloaded free. I read it in its entirety in 24 hours and found it to be a fascinating read.

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

TheBigZ — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:52:14 GMT

Many people fast for various reasons, fasting is not new nor exclusively only to Muslims. Hindus fast, Christians fast, non-religious people fast for a variety of health reasons. Actually, fasting is good for the body as it rids the body of harmful toxins.

Why do the Muslims fast?

First of all it is a command from Allah (God) to the believers: Oh you who believe! Observing As Saum (fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun. (pious) (Chapter 2,verse183)

Fasting in Ramadan did not start with Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) nor with the on set of Islam. The Prophets and people afore time were already fasting and this was a continuation of that command. In chapter 2 verses 184-187 of the Quran, Allah sets down the criterion for fasting. We are further told when to fast and how to fast.

Fasting benefits the spirit, Allah says, "…so that you may become Muttaqun (pious)". It is a time for us to become closer to Him. This is why you see the Muslims reading the Holy Quran, praying extra prayers, going out of their way to help other people. It gives us time to meditate on the importance of life, why are we here? Allah says, "I made not men and Jinn but that they should worship me." The month of Ramadan gives us the opportunity to set aside everyday activities that interfere from taking time to worship the One who is the Creator, Sustainer, Provider of mankind, the One who is Oft Forgiving Most Merciful.

How does Islamic fasting differ from other ways of fasting?

The Muslims are told by Allah to fast from sun rise to sun set. During that time the Muslims are restraining from eating, drinking (not even water) and sexual relations with their spouse. Eating, drinking, and sex are the three strongest drives in mankind. It is something that only each individual has control over himself. After sunset until sunrise you may engage in these activities all night if you like, there is no sin

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

human freedom — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:38:00 GMT

20 yrs. ago, me and my family fasred once ea. mo. For me,it was the hardest thing to do. Growing up, went with out food often(too darn poor). When I grew to manhood,because of youth (hungry times) memories, I coundn't wait to eat! But, at the age of approx.20, thru prayer and the help of my dear friend(mentor),I decieded to change my eating habits-no suger,salt,processed food and junk foods. Many,many,Veg/fruits,as much natural foods as possible. It was sure hard as first-not to popular among friends,but I did not let that bother me. The MAIN reason? I noticed a lot of energy,worked hard-12-15 hrs. per day,( starting a business and raising family). 1 day I rested,(sunday). No time for hobbies, my time was with my famliy. Don't know the scientific theries behind fasting-but I know from personnal experience it worked for me. TRY IT! Thaxs. for all your input, it's helping me recover my brain injury, hearing from youall.

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

Conscious Evolution — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 18:51:30 GMT

Shiva are you the same person who gets on the MasterCleanser website and helps everyone there with information on how to properly do the Master Cleanser?

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

xtina8o4 — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 01:59:56 GMT

I'm wondering if anyone knows of a way to view these studies directly?

The article mentions that even when controlling for potential confounding variables, they still found a relationship between fasting and risk of heart disease. However, this is unfortunately still only a correlation; there may be other differences in their diets that affect the condition of their heart, or completely different third variables that the researchers hadn't considered. Correlations are a great place to start research, but since they inherently cannot infer causation, it's hard to draw definitive conclusions.. *sigh*..

I see that they site the journal the article came from, but I'm wondering if there's a way to view these studies electronically, a way that is open to the public? Until this point I've been lucky enough to access a university database, but I'm only familiar with certain ones.. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

mamakat — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:43:30 GMT

I notice that most of the comments to this article are in favor of fasting and how great it has made the commenters feel, or about how it has facilitated healing. I do not question either assertion, but I would like to provide a different perspective. Like Dr. Mercola, I am a lean (as in, skinny, high metabolism) protein type who does NOT do well fasting. I cannot even last thru the first day of a fast without feeling weak, faint, ill, etc. This is how my family is, I come from a line of small, thin people who have to eat small meals throughout the day to feel their best. I eat mostly organic, range-fed, etc. foods and am in very good health overall. Fasting has its place, but not all of us thrive on it. Dr. Mercola is not coming out against fasting but simply saying it is not for everyone.

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

ranman — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 02:07:59 GMT

even jesus from the essene gospel of peace said fast one day per week and guess what day. something else that can be added is one day/week eat only live food: fruits, vegies, nuts, etc. i just read where you only actually need one third of the food you now eat. the other two thirds is to...for the: doctors. so one meal/day. tough. but you will not only feel better, but look better. depression is only energy driven.

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

EWELLS2 — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 02:03:54 GMT

After fasting 1 day a week for about 7 years and changing my diet, I stopped fasting. I'm very strict

on eating the right foods. ( mostly raw ) I'm 73 years old and work in the woods frequently logging.

Ride a motorcycle and feel better than I did when I was 40. Anyone eating the S.A.D. diet should

research fasting and give it a try. However changing the diet is the most important.

GOOD LUCK

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

Birdlady — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:50:02 GMT

I can definitely say that fasting a few days for me would be disastrous. My adrenals are already under a huge amount of stress for some reason (no doctor is helping me) and If I were to fast my heart rate would go through the roof. I would be dizzy, have extremely low blood pressure (80/60) be lightheaded and probably faint.

If this helps certain people, then that is great. Just be careful!

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

black57 — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 21:36:39 GMT

livinlavidalocarb.blogspot.com/.../intermittent-fasting-to-reduce-calories.html

This is one of the blogs that I use as referrence for intermittent fasting. Although Ramamdan is not intermittent fasting nor is it as extreme as IF, it does demonstrate health benefits found in fasting. Thanks for sharing information on this subject. I would be happy to share more sites if there is an interest.

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

black57 — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 21:21:06 GMT

I do a version of intermittent fasting. I fast for 20 hours and eat my first meal of the day between 3:00 and 2:00 PM. I eat as much as my belly can comfortably stand. Today I had turkey, pumpkin casserole, cauliflower with cheese sauce,collard greens and some homemade cranberry sauce.Following my first meal of the day I may snack on nuts, cheese, flax chips, vegetable juice,low carb yogurt. My final meal ( dinner ) is usually between the 6:00 and 7:00 PM. Dinner is usually smaller than my first meal.For example, last nigh I had a bowl of turkey soup. I do this basically 5 days a week. I often try to do this 6 days if I can. This works very well for me. I was easily putting away 4 full meals a day and in-between-meal-snacks which was adding lbs not taking them away despite my healthy diet. My new eating pattern took work and time to acheive but the weight has been easing its way down and my glucose is remaining ultra-stable. Personally, I feel that intermittent fasting is ideal for the low-carber like me. The diet already results in insulin stability which makes it easier to spend several hours without food. I have no problems going longer periods without food and I can even participate in my exercise program without an insulin spike. Ideally, I do not have my first meal until 1 hour following exercise. Yes, I am fine although I do have a strong appetite and I eat according to my hunger while avoiding carbs.

I learned about intermittent fasting through several sites. One blog by Dr. Miachale Eades, was inspired by Ramadan and how Muslims were improving health benefits from fasting at this time. I would like to look up these sites and return with some links. I shall return.

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

EWELLS2 — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:56:40 GMT

I hate to fast. I have in the past and after a water only fast of 5 days-I never felt better in

my life. If you want to know the miracles of fasting, buy the book.

"THE MIRACLE OF FASTING " written by Paul C. Bragg. I understand he died @ 96 in a

surffing accident.- The only thing I don't agree with, is the Bragg's Aminos. "Soy" Thanks to

Dr. Mercola I stopped doing them as they were doing a job on my thyroid.

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

SmartBodyHealth — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 18:55:45 GMT

I've ready these posts with some interest. I'm 50 years old. I water fast four days a month. I am able to continue my normal activities with no problems. I walk two 60 minute sessions per day on reasonably challenging grades (steep uphills). I have not experienced any noticeable loss of muscle mass. This I believe is primarily due to the fact that I drink about two gallons of water per day during the fast which as you know the muscles are made up of primarily of water. (Those who do experience dehydration which result in muscle mass any bodybuilder can tell you this)

I am primarily a protein eater. However during the fast I take about two teaspoons of certified sea salt a day

to maintain essential nutrients and detox. I have no trouble maintaining the fast because I take care to prepare my body for the fast prior to and after the fast.These are two keys that most people who try fasting often miss.

My normal meals now consist of high quality foods such as quinoa, oatmeal, sprouts, etc... I eat five small meals for a total of 900 to 1400 calories a day but since I've virtually eliminate sugar and table salt from my diet I don't have the problems of highs and lows. Diabetes and Sleep Apena are gone. My body maintains a fairly even sugar level throughout the day.

Although I have read about this "wasting" of muscles I haven't experienced it. And my bone density has actually increased. One of the others I know of who is also using this regimen started fasting because she had severe bone loss density. I believe the doctor told her that her spine was in a degenerative state. She tried this regimen for three months went back and bone density was normal again. Doctor said he'd never seen this happen in someone her age (65). It's my experience that the body first uses stored fats. When I first started using this regimen I was at 270lbs with a 38BMI.

"Not feeling good" is due to re poisoning of your body. Stop poisoning your body and fasting is easier.

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

bird54 — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 18:20:36 GMT

Hi Dr. Mercola,

Thank you for the article on the benefits of fasting. I too am a protein type but I benefit greatly from fasting. Eating meat gives me a sluggish digestive system, but if I fast regularly it energizes me. I have also lost a lot of excess weight by fasting because it puts me into mild ketosis, whereas my body will not lose weight on a low-carb diet and exercise program.

Fasting is good for the brain and will increase the number of insulin receptors, preventing Alzheimers and Parkinson's disease. Fasting will also cure Diabetes. Please visit www.diabeteshealth.com/.../5564.html and read the COMMENTS. Please follow the links to discover an overwhelming amount of research in support of the benefits of fasting.

re: Does Monthly Fasting Help Your Heart?

Rotobo — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:33:30 GMT

I agree with Greenmtman, the last posted comment will make my decision for pro or con. I have a lemming personality and will follow anyone. Sometimes it's over a cliff, sometimes it's okay.

Roto