Samina Tariq
Calgary
Over time toxins build up in the body as the result of the pollutants in the air we breath, the chemicals in the food and water, the effect of radiation all around us, stress of everyday work and life, all contribute to the build up of toxins in the body. Fasting is an effective and safe method of helping the body detoxify itself. Fasting helps in cleansing our liver, kidneys, colon, purify our blood, and flush out toxins. The immune system’s workload is greatly reduced by fasting regularly as all our organs get rest, slows aging and results in a longer and healthier life.
Fasting is the Zakat of the Body: Abu Huraira reported Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “There is zakat applicable to everything, and the zakat of the body is fasting.” [Ibn Majah transmitted it. [Mishkat al-Masabih 2072].
The meaning of Zakat is to cleanse and purify. Fasting is the means to cleanse the body spiritually, mentally and physically. Though we fast for spiritual reasons, fasting has lots of physical benefits as well. One of the benefits of fasting is detoxification of the body. During fasting the body goes through the detoxification and self cleansing phase. The diet plays an important role to achieve this benefit of fasting. Oftentimes we ruin this benefit by our dietary practices especially in Ramadan. If we want to have the full spiritual and physical benefit of fasting, we need to modify our diet and eating habits in Ramadan. If we ignore this aspect of fasting, we won’t even get the full spiritual benefits as well, we just fulfil our obligatory duty of fast.
The Research is showing many benefits of fasting like:
Cellular detoxification, Lower inflammation, reduced joints aches and pains, reduced cancer risk, better heart health, Increased energy, increased Immunity, increased metabolism, enhanced liver function, improved digestive function,
Reduced allergy symptoms, heightened mental clarity and focus and memory,
Improved stability of moods and balance, feeling of calmness and peace, Reduced food cravings.
Reduced Alzheimer Risk: “Making diet and lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer disease, even if you carry the risk genes for the disease. Dr Isaacson recommends intermittent fasting, which not only helps with weight loss but also gives your brain the opportunity to rest. The general recommendation is to eat no more than 2,100 calories per day but consult with a registered dietitian or your doctor before changing your diet. Intermittent fasting, especially fasting between dinner and breakfast, may reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s by up to 50 percent”. [2]
Beneficial Foods:
Green Drinks: “Green drinks are excellent detoxifiers. Green juices cleanse the body of pollutants and have a rejuvenating effect. Made from a variety of green vegetables, green juices are rich in chlorophyll, which helps to purify the blood, build red blood cells, detoxify and heal the body and provide the body with fast energy”. [1]
The best juice to use during fast is fresh lemon juice. Fresh apples, beet, cabbage, carrot, celery juices are also good.
Rule to Remember: Do not combine fruit and vegetable juices. [1]
Apples are the only fruit that can be added to vegetable juices. [1]
Excellent Soup for Healing: “3 carrots, 3 kale leaves, 2 stalks celery, 2 beets, 1 turnip, ¼ pound spinach, ½ head of cabbage, ¼ bunch of parsley, boil them add seasoning, a cup of this soup can be taken.[1]
Plenty of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: A healthy way of doing it would be to include plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Salads, soups, curries and stews.
Modest Amounts of dairy, nuts, seeds, sprouts, meat, fish and poultry as well Whole grains, barley, quinoa, for the body to function effectively.
Drinks Plenty of Fluids: All types of watery fruits like melons, watermelons, oranges, cucumbers.
Foods to Avoid:
All kinds of fried foods, heavy and fatty foods,
Soft drinks, Sugary drinks, Energy drinks, White flour white sugar,
All frozen foods, can foods, Pre-cooked,
Additives, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, not too much sugar and salt.
Conscious Eating: Start with Dua and Gratitude to Lord. Conscious eating has many benefits.
Have the Blessed Suhur (Early Morning Meal) It was narrated that AL-Irbad bin Sariyah said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah inviting people to have Sahur in Ramadan. He said: ‘Come to the blessed breakfast.” (Hasan) [ Sunan an -Nasai 2163]
Anas (ra) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Eat Suhur (predawn meal). Surely, there is a blessing in Suhur.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]-Riyad as-Salihin 1229]
Break your Fast with Fresh Dates or Dried Dates or Water: Anas bin Malik narrated: “The Messenger of Allah would break the fast with fresh dates before performing Salat. If there were no fresh dates then (he would break the fast) with dried dates, and if there were no dried dates then he would take a few sips of water.” [Hasan (Darussalam) Jami at -Tirmidhi -696].
Hasten at Ifftar and Delay at Suhur: It was narrated that Abu ‘Atiyyah said: “I said to Aishah: ‘Among us there are two men, one of whom hastens Iftar and delays Sahur, and the other delays Iftar and hastens Sahur.’ She said, ‘Which of them is the one who hastens Iftar and delays Sahur?’ I said, “Abdullah bin Masud. She said, ‘This is what the Messenger of Allah used to do.” [Sahih (Darussalam) Sunan an -Nasai 2159]
Reference:
1.Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
2.www.doctoroz.com/gallery/ultimate-alzheimer-diet-plan/posted on 5/02/2017]
