Fasting has had a long
tradition in the life of religious people. The Holy Bible assumes that
righteous people fast regularly (Matt. 6:16-18). Until this century, availability
of fresh foods almost year-round was almost impossible; and depletion of
stored food, especially during years of poor harvests (or as in the 1930's
during the Great Depression when food was often unaffordable), was common.
The result was an imposed fasting. Whether for religious reasons or because
the population had no choice in the matter, fasting was a fact of living.
Recent research has discovered fascinating and paradoxical benefits of
fasting. Humans, and most animals, are biologically created to survive
through a season when food is scarce. During that time, the body's immune
system actually becomes stronger and metabolism lowers. A stronger immune
system improves individual health; lower metabolism adds years to life.
The average American
diet is high calorie, high fat, high carbohydrate and high cholesterol.
The average American is eating too many "convenient" food artifacts in
general and not enough fruit and vegetables in particular. The average
American compounds this by not getting enough physical exercise to burn
off all the extra calories consumed. The result is obvious to the naked
eye: the American population is overweight and out of shape.
America is currently facing an "obesity epidemic". Americans
are eating themselves to death. The United States is facing a health crisis
of historical proportions. There are those who attempt to hold various
groups, industries and agencies accountable for this. But the truth is
the individual alone is ultimately responsible for the food and fitness
choices made in a lifetime.
Is a lifetime of poor choices
reversible?
Are there benefits to fasting?
Are there any risks to fasting?
"Yes" to all three questions.
In 1988, Dr. R. Weindruch and Dr. R. Walford published results of hundreds
of research experiments and wrote, "Life can be extended by dietary restriction,
a process which can also lead to a dramatic reduction in the chances of
developing chronic disease in old age." Even more astonishing was the discovery
that dietary restriction frequently improved to near full recovery certain
existing chronic illnesses or conditions. Many illnesses that improved
with dietary restriction commonly arise as one ages: cardiovascular disease,
cerebrovascular disease, osteoporosis, cataracts, dementia, certain cancers,
gastrointestinal disorders, arthritis and certain diabetes. The researchers
found that diet restriction and modification
1. reduced the chances of
these diseases developing;
2. improved chances for recovery
from these diseases;
3. delayed to a far greater
age the onset of these diseases and
4. extended life considerably.
The promise of a longer life,
less chance of developing a life-threatening/life quality destroying disease
and even recovery from such a disease once it exists is truly astounding,
even revolutionary claims!
It would seem that everyone
would clamor for their share in this "Fountain of Youth"! They don't. What
do people think when they hear the words "dietary restriction"? Hunger,
deprivation, starvation or famine! The very thought of eating less food
creates mental images of poverty and failure doesn't it? But mindfully
eating less food is NOT the same as having less food to eat! Sadly, too
many people choose to live to eat rather than eat to live. For too many,
"their god is their belly". In our status oriented culture, eating less
food contradicts the image of wealth, success and living life to the fullest;
the BIG shot; the FAT cat!
Eating less food can
help people be financially wealthier. Individuals who eat less food buy
less food. The money saved at the grocery counter can buy that dream! In
the field of anti-aging research, there is something rare in the scientific
community: a consensus! There is agreement that the way to slow down the
aging process is to eat less food. Eat less; live longer! Eat less; have
more to spend! This sounds too good to be true. How much are people willing
to spend for drugs to extend their life a few years? The pharmaceutical
industry knows the answer: millions of dollars! There are people who pay
more then $300 per pill or $4500 per injection or $13000 per treatment
in an attempt to extend life. We may all have to depend on a life saving
drug someday. But we can do a lot to delay that day. There IS a "drug"
available to us that promises to extend life and improve the quality of
living at a very economical price. That "drug" is food. Food is medicine;
the "pharmacy" is our grocery store; the refrigerator is our "medicine
cabinet". About 2500 years ago Hippocrates said, "Let food be your medicine;
let medicine be your food." The idea isn't new; it just hasn't been taken
seriously enough.
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