Fasting, generally defined as voluntary abstention from food and drinks (including water in some cases), is an integral component of many cultures and religions across the world, and is recommended by several others including researchers in modern medicine. The Indian tradition, with its emphasis on simplicity and renunciation of bodily pleasures, prescribes fasting as an important aid in the purification of body and mind. Both complete (or absolute) fasting and partial fasting (with intake of fruits, fruit juices or milk) are advised for several occassions, with Ekadashi (11th day of each waxing and waning cycle of moon) being one of the most important ones for Vaishnavites. Benefits of fasting are numerous and diverse, and some of them are discussed below.
For the Body
In the materialistic world that we live in, people are happy to go through any trouble if it can help them “lose a few pounds” or “get in shape”. Though not usually the primary purpose of a fast, physiological benefits that follow from it are quite significant. Most diseases are a result of transgression against the laws of nature, and a lasting correction at the root of the problem requires a change in our way of life. Key to good health, as identified by Sri Paramahamsa Yogananda, are meditation, positive thinking, exercise, right eating, less eating and fasting. Some of the health benefits of fasting are noted below
- Resting the digestive system – Even when we are asleep, out digestive system is busy breaking down the food we ingested, processing it for the energy and nutrients it contains. Like every other part of our body, this system also needs rest. This can happen only when we abstain from food for a period that is longer than the interval between our regular meals. Fasting is a way to give this overworked system, a much needed rest.
- Detoxification – The food that we eat also contains many substances which are harmful to our body at high concentration. The body has built-in mechanism to get rid of these toxins, but if we continue to eat without allowing the time for natural detoxification, they accumulate in our body. Regular fasting will help ensure that our body gets enough time to complete this process.
- Weight loss – This was perhaps not an important consideration in ancient times. Nevertheless, fasting causes increased fat breakdown, reduces fat storage, and thus helps to some extent in losing weight. However, one would be ill-advised to lose much weight through prolonged fasting or starvation, as it can have serious adverse impact on his health.
- Remedy for allergies – There are reports that fasting cures or helps in the cure of allergies and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and some skin problems.
- Correction for high blood pressure – Some studies indicate that since fasting brings down the metabolic rate, and reduces the release of some hormones such as adrenaline, it corrects the condition of high blood pressure. Fasting also reduces risk of atherosclerosis (which is a form of arteriosclerosis in which fatty substances form a deposit of plaque on the inner lining of arterial walls).
- Reduction of blood sugar – Fasting brings about a natural reduction in blood sugar levels
- Improved immunity – Some authors claim that fasting, when complemented with a balanced nutritional diet can boost immunity because it will ensure that the body is supplied with essential nutrients, and also kept low in toxins
- Possibly reduction in the risk of cancer – There is at least one study in mice which has found that frequent and regular fasting helped significantly reduce the risk of cancer by slowing down cell proliferation, buying time for the body to fix any genetic mutations that can potentially cause cancer.
- Longevity – Slower cell proliferation also has the effect of increase in life span, and thus fasting has a positive effect on longevity.
Rather than to cite modern scientific sources to prove my point, I have linked to some in the references section below to show that modern science is also not totally in the dark with respect to the advantages of fasting.
For the Mind and the Soul
The physiological benefits of fasting are incidental, and there might be other means to achieve similar results. The psychological and spiritual benefits, in comparison, are much more valuable
- Peace, tranquility – The best thing that can happen to the mind is its subduing. When the senses are deprived of the energy burning in them, it frees the mind from their constant pull in different directions. Fasting calms down the mind and senses by reducing the energy available to them. This brings us to a state of peace and tranquility that is difficult to achieve when the senses are fully charged.
- Improved concentration – This is a direct effect of freeing the mind from the botheration of the senses, due to which it becomes easier to focus.
- Strengthening will power – Will power develops in the very process of exercising it. For a person addicted to food, fasting is an ideal opportunity to exercise his will power against a natural predisposition, thus strengthening it.
- Increased awareness – When the inner organs of our body are rested during a fast and the metabolic rate comes down, we become more aware of our deeper, spiritual identity
- Reliance on inner strength – By depriving the body of its usual energy source, fasting forces our body out of its comfort zone, making us rely more on inner strength than just on food.
- Overcoming addictions – Due to a combination of strengthening the will and weakening the dictates of the body, fasting is a valuable ally in the fight against addictions. A temporary weakening of the body helps the mind in taking control of the body and overriding the compulsions of addictions.
- Alleviation of pain – Fasting has the effect of partially disconnecting sensory nerves, and thereby has a soothing effect on bodily pain and discomfort.
Social benefits and Political uses
No discussion on fasting, at least in the Indian context, is complete without a mention of its relevance and abuse as a political tool. In my personal opinion, the only person who can be coerced through fasting, and against whom fasting is a powerful political weapon, is your mother. Nobody else really cares whether you starve or not. If governments have yielded to the demands of those engaged in public “fasting”, it is only because they fear the repercussions of any untoward result of the fast. In fact, these are not even fasts as the media portrays them, but only publicized starvation as means of bringing public attention to an issue and often to hold the nation to ransom.
Fasting, however, does serve a social purpose. Living in a society, a large section of which is tormented by hunger and malnutrition, fasting helps us appreciate the value of the food we get every day. It makes us understand, even if for a day, the daily torment that our fellowmen are going through. In the words of Sri Narayana Guru, a great spiritual master of Kerala, “Those (practices/rituals) which we observe for our happiness should become the cause of happiness in others” If we can make it a habit to pass on the food we save by fasting to someone else who is in need of it, fasting will help us achieve this social ideal.
Some References on the Web (not an exhaustive list)
‘10 Incredible Health Benefits of Fasting‘; Biodun Awosusi (2012)
‘Is Fasting Healthy?‘; Susan Seliger, Cynthia Dennison Haines
‘Fasting: Body Cleansing or Body Starving?‘; Kelly Grimes
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