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maclatunji: Fasting Matters: Eat, Fast and Live Better

On Monday 6th August, a Horizon documentary was aired on BBC 2 named, "Eat, Fast and Live Longer".

Michael Mosley has set himself a truly ambitious goal: he wants to live longer, stay younger and lose weight in the bargain. And he wants to make as few changes to his life as possible along the way. He discovers the powerful new science behind the ancient idea of fasting, and he thinks he's found a way of doing it that still allows him to enjoy his food. Michael tests out the science of fasting on himself - with life-changing results.

Having watched the programme, we decided to write a few insights about what we learnt but also to revisit what we already knew. This programme serves as a powerful reminder.

WHAT MICHAEL DISCOVERS

In his journey he explores 2 things: (1) Secrets to good health and (2) Secrets to longevity. The first thing he finds is that one should not eat very much paying particular attention to diet. From there he goes on to find a man who knows all about the growth hormone IGF-1 and about fasting. He tells him to fast for 3 days, the results are impressive, Michael reduced the risk of getting many age-related diseases.

He doesn't stop there. He goes on to discover what is called, "intermittent fasting" - a fasting on alternate days. So one day he will fast and the next he will feast. What is very interesting is what he discovers about the effects of fasting on the aging of the brain. Although the tests were on mice, they suggest that human beings have a very good to excellent chance of reducing brain diseases by fasting intermittently.

The results of brain scanning on the mice revealed something far more interesting. They discovered that hunger actually created new brain cells and so by fasting you actually increase your cognitive abilities. So it is exercise for the brain. Hunger makes you sharper.

He then discovers what he calls the 5-2 diet. Eat for 5 days as normal and fast for 2 days. He gives this a go for a few months. The results show that he not only lost well over a stone in weight but significantly reduced his body fat. His IGF-1 reduced by 50%, his glucose dropped to a good level, and his bad cholesterol dropped with his good cholesterol increasing. Therefore he cut the risks he had of getting diseases but if he continues, he doesn't have to take tablets at all.

In conclusion he discovers:

1. Good health and longevity in age lies in diet - food matters.
2. Fasting can be done best according to the 5-2 diet system.
3. Fasting makes you healthier.
4. Fasting makes you sharper.
5. Fasting is not everybody - certain people shouldn't fast, for example a pregnant woman he mentions.

Let's dig into this a little more....

WHAT WE ALREADY KNEW

What Horizon has done, is confirm a constant tradition of Prophets and the pious of this world. Over 1400 years ago - we were told the realities of fasting. Ever since then, we have numerous works on the virtues and wisdoms of fasting. They don't seem to realise that they have confirmed the traditions and habits of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and those who followed him.

The Word Fasting

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, in an authentic narration by Abu Nu'aym: "صوموا تصحوا", which literally means, "Fast and be healthy." There is a better and far more accurate translation to it and that is "Fast and Flourish." There are only two words used here yet these two words hold so many meanings.

The first word is "Sumoo", fast, this word is derived from the Arabic root of "Saama" and Syriac, "Sawma." It means "to abstain" and when we fast we not only abstain from food and drink, but we also abstain from various desires of the lower soul. The word “fasting” in English is derived from the Old English (Anglo-Saxon) term ‘fæstan’ meaning to “hold firmly”, in the same way we would talk about ‘making fast’ or ‘fasten’, and the sense evolution is via “firm control of oneself,” to “holding to observance.”

The second word, "tasihhu," flourish, comes from the Arabic root of "Sahha/Sihha", which means to be healthy, be in order, to heal or to correct. The reason why the word flourish better suits this is that "flourish" means to be strong, healthy, develop well, to adorn, or to be most productive or at ones peak.

Therefore we discover that fasting encompasses internal and external well being. It isn't just about abstinence but it is much more.

http://theblessedhub.co.uk/blog/13529607

mu2sa2: Over 1400 years ago d Almighty God decreed ISLAM as d path for mankind. Fasting one calenda month yearly is a pillar of Islam. It is also recommended to fast every monday & thurday. Muslims hv been enjoying d health benefits of fasting 4 over 1400 years, something science is only just discovering. U see, Islam is 1400 years ahead of science. Ramadan fast is unique & no other fasting (muslim or otherwise) is comparable to it . D world is welcom 2 ISLAM, d salvation 4 mankind.

defemz: please if you eat in the morning and skip afternoon food, can u call that a fast? Just thinking aloud.

siddiq202:
and what is fasting in your own words

bid4rich: It is good sha o cos it makes me spend less and to be spritually alert as a christian. Also it makes me to know the truth and the meaning of some scriptures and to know God the more.

tiarabubu: You guys should not castigate the scientists. They are only there to report the facts.

What they said was that fasting for one or two days a week makes cells stronger and more resistant to disease.

They didn't say fasting for a whole week or a whole month, ok?

mu2sa2: Over 1400 years ago d Almighty God decreed ISLAM as d path for mankind. Fasting one calenda month yearly is a pillar of Islam. It is also recommended to fast every monday & thurday. Muslims hv been enjoying d health benefits of fasting 4 over 1400 years, something science is only just discovering. U see, Islam is 1400 years ahead of science. Ramadan fast is unique & no other fasting (muslim or otherwise) is comparable to it . D world is welcom 2 ISLAM, d salvation 4 mankind.