断食 (Fasting)

Alhamdulillah, Ramadhan 1431H menjelma lagi.. ini merupakan kali ke 4 ak menyambut bulan mulia nih di Jpon.. Semestinye pengalaman menyambut Ramadhan di negara bukan Islam sememang nyer berlainan sungguh berbanding di Malaysia.. Suasana yang langsung x berubah ibarat hari biasa boleh membuatkan seseorang terlupa tentang Ramadhan kalo xde bantuan facebook (笑) atau teguran rakan2 lain.. Berbeza dengan tahun sebelum nih, Ramadhan kali nih bakal menyaksikan ak menghabiskan masa di 研究室 (Lab) dengan 実験 (Experiment) dan 学会準備 (Preparation for conference) hujung bulan nih.. Ini bermakna ak terpaksa bersabar bila melihat rakan sebelah dok makan @ minum dengan kepuasan xleh blah (笑) Ak gemar mengamalkan puasa sunat 3 hari setiap bulan, namun ini mungkin pertama kali member2 lab bakal menyaksikan ak 断食 berturut2 dalam tempoh masa yang agak panjang.. 

Bila sebut pasal 断食, orang Jpon pasti mengeluh~ Ntah kenapa diorang suka kaitkan 断食 dengan 死 (Death), konon nyer kalo x makan @ minum dalam tempoh masa yang lama leh maut -_-" X nak mengaku kalah, ak pernah 断食 sambil バイト (Part-time) di Hiraoka melakukan kerja2 yang agak berat.. tapi diorang masih kata benda yang sama keesokan hari nyer (笑) Diorang nih pandai cakap jer, tp bila suruh 試す (Try) kluar lah cam2 alasan xleh blah.. Kalo kt 研究室, bdk2 nih mempersoalkan adakah 断食 baik ntk kesihatan.. Bila ajak sorang member ntk 断食 ntk sehari, dia tolak dengan alasan bahaya x makan sesuatu dalam tempoh masa yang lama, pastu bila boleh makan, akan makan dengan banyak (笑) Mati akal ak nk layan kerenah diorang, ak survey di internet ntk dapatkan jawapan2 yang best supaya senang ak nk cucuk diorang di masa akan datang.. Berikut adalah hasil 研究 (Research) ak berkenaan 断食:-

Puasa yang diwajibkan itu ialah beberapa hari yang tertentu; maka sesiapa di antara kamu yang sakit, atau dalam musafir, (bolehlah ia berbuka), kemudian wajiblah ia berpuasa sebanyak (hari yang dibuka) itu pada hari-hari yang lain; dan wajib atas orang-orang yang tidak terdaya berpuasa (kerana tua dan sebagainya) membayar fidyah iaitu memberi makan orang miskin. Maka sesiapa yang dengan sukarela memberikan (bayaran fidyah) lebih dari yang ditentukan itu, maka itu adalah suatu kebaikan baginya; dan (walaupun demikian) berpuasa itu lebih baik bagi kamu daripada memberi fidyah), kalau kamu mengetahui. [2: 184]

Fasting helps in detoxification of your body (link)

 Fasting causes the body to use its reserve stores, in other words fasting requires the body to use the fat that is stored in the system. This is the primary purpose for layers of fat in the body. Unfortunately, due to the large amounts of processed foods, stress and other environmental factors, a large number of toxins also get stored within these deposits. These toxins poison the system and cause poor health.

Fasting results in the release of these toxins so that they can be eliminated from the body. Fasting also, if done properly, can be an effective weight management tool. While the benefits of fasting primarily are the detoxification of the body, with the true fast only water is taken into the body. Water has a significant impact on the up body's ability to detoxify itself.

As fasting helps to release the stored toxins within the body, it is necessary to flush those toxins from the system in order to prevent them from being restored back into the body. By taking in only water, these toxins are easily flushed from the system. This process can be difficult for some people, especially those who are used to large amounts of processed foods. As a result, it is beneficial for these individuals to start with milder forms of fasting before going to a true or water only fast.

Physiological and psychological effects of fasting (link)
The physiological effect of fasting includes lower of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol and lowering of the systolic blood pressure.  In fact, Ramadan fasting would be an ideal recommendation for treatment of mild to moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity and essential hypertension.  In 1994 the first International Congress on "Health and Ramadan", held in Casablanca, entered 50 research papers from all over the world, from Muslim and non-Muslim researchers who have done extensive studies on the medical ethics of fasting.  While improvement in many medical conditions was noted; however, in no way did fasting worsen any patients' health or baseline medical condition.  On the other hand, patients who are suffering from severe diseases, whether diabetes or coronary artery disease, kidney stones, etc., are exempt from fasting and should not try to fast.

There are psychological effects of fasting as well. There is a peace and tranquility for those who fast during the month of Ramadan. Personal hostility is at a minimum, and the crime rate decreases. This psychological improvement could be related to better stabilization of blood glucose during fasting as hypoglycemia after eating, aggravates behavior changes.

Recitation of the Quran not only produces a tranquility of heart and mind, but improves the memory. Therefore, I encourage my Muslim patients to fast in the month of Ramadan, but they must do it under medical supervision. Healthy adult Muslims should not fear becoming weak by fasting, but instead it should improve their health and stamina.

Fasting - an "operation without surgery" (link)

"Fasting is, without any doubt, the most effective biological method of treatment... it is the 'operation without surgery'... it is a cure involving exudation, reattunement, redirection, loosening up and purified relaxation. While fasting, the patient improves her or his physical health and gains much. But he or she will have neglected the most important thing if the hunger for spiritual nourishment that manifests itself during fasting is not satisfied." said Otto Buchinger, Sr., M.D., Germany's great, self-described "fasting therapist," who founded the most famous of several renowned, European Buchinger Kliniks in 1952.

Cleansing system (link)

When we stop eating, the body turns its attention to "cleaning house" by feeding itself on sick, weak, and old cells first. It also begins to dump any unhealthy materials such as toxic mucous, tumor and cancer cells, salts, cholesterol, stored drugs, nicotine, and other stagnated matter which is stored in the tissues and organs. The body also disposes of the unseen toxic weight stored inside.

All cleansings, except fasting, cleanse only the internal surface of the organ. Under that surface, the tissues are still dirty and clogged with toxic wastes. Only fasting can reach beneath the surface of the tissues and cleanse down to the cellular level.

New cell growth (link) 

New cell growth during fasting is stimulated and accelerated as the required proteins are re-synthesized from decomposed cells (during autolysis). Thus, your serum albumin reading - blood-protein level - remains constant and normal throughout your fast, as your body very smartly uses protein and other stored nutrients where needed. Again, Germany's late Otto Buchinger, M.D., after supervising over 100,000 juice-fasts, eventually concluded what is clearly stated in the book, "Fasting: the Buchinger Method", page 22: "The need for protein diminishes during the fast, until in the second week, it has been reduced from 100 grams to from 15-20 grams a day, and this amount is, in fact, quite sufficient while fasting." 

Fasting in Hindu (link)

Fasting is an ancient Hindu ritual that has got incorporated into various religions that came later, including Islam. So, in my view, the title should be:Is religious fasting good for your health? The most important benefit of fasting is disciplining your mind. We, as humans are governed by the five senses and often cross the limits! Fasting makes you abstain from food and sex, and focus on your deity.This enhances your spiritual growth and makes you stable and strong. There are medical benefits too as our digestive system gets the much needed rest and the restriction of calories helps in weight loss. The trend of the people in modern times to overeat before and after the fast and work hard during the day, is the cause, that people question the sanctity of fasting! The right way to fast is to eat in limits before and after fasting and to rest and meditate during the day, to conserve the energy. You cannot have both:fasting and hard work. Fasting is prohibited for children, the elderly, the sick, and pregnant and lactating mothers. Though the sick people may benefit from fasting otherwise, which means they should not burden their digestive system too much with fat rich food and eat right but less. Religious fasting is a ritual to re-establish your contact with God that gets lost in the daily hectic schedules and worries. However, do not fast if you do not have faith! It won't benefit you. (笑)

p/s Hmm.. tengah pening nak kasi gambar ape plak ntk tahun ni nyer salam perantauan.. (笑)