AS our Muslims brothers and sisters move into the final days of the fasting month of Ramadhan, let us look at the medical and health benefits of fasting.

Fasting is the act of avoiding all food, drink or both, for a period of time. It may be total or partial, prolonged or intermittent.

It could also mean refraining from eating certain types of foods; for example, meat. A complete fast in the traditional sense is abstinence of food and liquids except for water.

While fasting is best known as a tenet of Islam, fasting for religious and spiritual reasons has been a human practice since pre-history.

It is mentioned in the Bible, in both the Old Testament (Tanach) and New Testament, the Pali text of Buddhism, the Mahabharata, and the Upanishads of the Hindus.
Fasting is also practised in other religious and spiritual practices.

In traditional medicine fasting is used to refer to the state achieved after digestion of a meal.

A number of metabolic adjustments occurs during fasting and many medical diagnostic tests are standardised for fasting conditions.

Fasting has been recommended as a therapeutic intervention by physicians of many cultures, though it is uncommonly resorted to for this purpose by modern doctors.

People can also fast for medical reasons. One reason is to prepare for surgery or other procedures that require anaesthetic as the presence of food in a person's system can cause complications during anaesthesia.

Medical fasting is done for certain tests, such as cholesterol testing (lipid panel). People are often asked to fast so that a baseline can be established.

In the case of cholesterol, the failure to fast for a full 12 hours (including vitamins) will lead to an elevated triglyceride level.

A true fast consists of an intake solely of water, and can last for extended periods of time when undertaken with the correct knowledge.

Any fasts of such nature should be preceded and followed by a healthy diet, and be supervised by a knowledgeable physician to make sure that deficiencies of any nutrients do not take place and retract from the healthful benefits of such a fast.

Traditional doctors believe that pure water fasting can not only detoxify cells and rejuvenate organs, but can actually cure such diseases and conditions as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, colitis, psoriasis, lupus and some other autoimmune disorders when combined with a healthy diet.

Traditional healers believe that "Fasting is Nature's Restorer".

In naturopathic medicine, fasting is seen as a way of cleansing the body of toxins and dead or diseased tissues, and giving the gastro-intestinal system a rest.

Such fasts are either water-only, or consist of fruit and vegetable juices. A juice fast can also be used as a stepping stone to a water fast, reducing the amount of discomfort experienced.

Detoxification is the foremost argument presented by advocates of fasting. This is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralising toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and skin.

Fasting helps the body re-route energy for healing elsewhere. This is one reason that animals stop eating when they are wounded, and why humans lose hunger during influenza.

Hunger has been proven absent in illnesses such as gastritis, tonsillitis and colds. Therefore, when one is fasting, the person is consciously diverting energy from the digestive system to the immune system.

In addition, there is a reduction in core body temperature as a result of the slower metabolic rate and general bodily functions.

The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is reduced in order to conserve as much energy within the body as can be provided.

Growth hormones are also released during a fast, due to greater efficiency in hormone production.

Finally, the most scientifically proven advantage to fasting is the feeling of rejuvenation and extended life expectancy. Part of this phenomenon is caused by a number of benefits mentioned above.

A slower metabolic rate, more efficient protein production, an improved immune system, and the increased production of hormones contribute to this long-term benefit of fasting.

In addition to the Human Growth Hormone that is released more frequently during a fast, an anti-aging hormone is also produced more efficiently.

The only reliable way to extend the lifespan of a mammal is under-nutrition without malnutrition. This has been repeatedly shown by various animal research.

In reality, we fast when we sleep. As we sleep, the digestive system shuts down and cleanses itself. That process heals and rejuvenates.

Notice how you feel after a good night's sleep which includes a fast. You feel light and refreshed. Your energy is up. The ancients would say that your "chi" or "prana" has been restored.

Your eyes have a whitish discharge. Your tongue has a white furry coating indicative of detoxification. Your urine is thicker and more pungent than usual.

Normally your bowels need emptying, too. More importantly, if you went to bed with an impending headache or a cold, it is probably behind you.

Indeed, Nature intended for you to fast every day. And the religious element makes it all the more meaningful.

Wishing all our Muslim readers a happy Raya.

Datuk Dr Rajen M. is a pharmacist with a doctorate in holistic medicine. Email him at health@po.jaring.my