China bans fasting China has recently banned civil servants, students and teachers in its mainly Muslim Xinjiang region from fasting during the month of Ramzan. The government has required Muslim staff to sign a written pledge that they would not fast. At the same time, State-run media is highlighting health dangers of fasting. Some of those dilated upon are as follows: Fasting is likely to cause dehydration and migraine. It can also lead to tachycardia, severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and circulatory collapse. There can be significant fluctuations in the weight of an individual, primarily as a result of the metabolic changes that occur in the body. Fasting negatively affects an individuals circadian rhythm. As a result, unfavorable side-effects such as lethargy and a lack of motivation, may contribute to a societys lack of productivity. (In a survey carried out by Cairo’s Institute of Social Sciences of the Arab World it has been found that the productivity of Arab businesses during the month of Ramzan dropped by a staggering 78%.) Melatonin levels and REM sleep decreases during Ramzan while reduction in the number of meals disturbs normal sleep habits and thereby increases daytime drowsiness. Similarly the change in sleep patterns causes a decrease in oral temperature and alertness. The physical fatigue associated with fasting results in impairment of cognitive functioning while the nutritional status of lactating women is affected significantly. Fasting can also increase levels of gastric acidity in the stomach which can cause burning and heaviness, and sometimes a sour taste in the mouth. Fasting also changes drug metabolism and deplete crucial chemicals in the liver needed to detoxify medication. Human irritability increases during Ramzan while there is a sharp rise in traffic accidents. Blood donations drop by one-third and an increase is witnessed in violence and anti-social behavior towards religious minorities living among a large Muslim population. . In conclusion ,intermittent and prolonged fasting is generally not conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Depriving the body of water and essential nutrients by dividing and postponing meals to irregular intervals does nothing to limit consumption. In fact it causes a host of health, performance and mood disorders. Fasting is not normally prescribed for the well being of human beings. Instead, it is commonly understood that eating healthy, smaller-portioned meals, interspersed throughout the day is far better in maintaining a well-balanced diet and far more forgiving on a persons metabolism. Any claims that prolonged and intermittent fasting contributes to the well-being of an individuals health are misleading, based on the scientific studies that prove otherwise. So the question to the Muslim world is: keeping in mind the above adverse affects of fasting observed in studies, what benefit does the Muslim world get for 1 billion people staying hungry throughout the day for one full month every year? And if fasting is beneficial as claimed, why do Muslims not fast the entire year instead of just one month? Since childhood we are hearing the quote Acquire knowledge even if you have to go to China! Let us now honor the knowledge emanating from China! - via @waseem altaf
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 23:01:31 +0000
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