Fasting - "for" And "against" To Observe Them

Author: Leticia Celentano Time for reading: ~2 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

Fasting - "for" And "against" To Observe Them

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Christmas fasting has begun. During the 40-day period, believing Christians do not eat meat and meat products, as well as other foods of animal origin such as milk, cheese, eggs. What are the benefits of fasting and can it harm ...

Christmas fasting has begun. During the 40-day period, believing Christians do not eat meat and meat products, as well as other foods of animal origin such as milk, cheese, eggs. It is also called Fish Lent, as it is allowed to eat fish from November 23 to December 19, except on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Fasting is abstinence for religious and moral purposes from blissful food with moderate use of food of plant origin. Physical fasting, together with spiritual fasting, constitutes true fasting. Many believe that fasting should consist of abstaining from blissful foods. This is only one side of fasting - bodily fasting, which in itself is insufficient without spiritual fasting.

From the point of view of a healthy lifestyle, everyone should carefully consider whether it is appropriate for him to exclude the consumption of products of animal origin and whether to observe the entire 40-day period of certain dietary restrictions ...

Why is fasting useful?

For some, fasting is a good reason not to burden your body with animal foods for a while. This limits the intake of animal fats, which in large quantities are harmful to health. When we eat more plant foods, we get the necessary vitamins and minerals, which are usually less in the standard diet.

In addition, eat less industrial foods, which are not always well balanced and contain fat, sugar and many calories.

For whom are fasts not recommended?

Fasting is especially risky for people with chronic diseases - chronic hepatitis, chronic infectious diseases of the intestine, chronic pancreatitis.

Dietitians and nutritionists do not recommend a 40-day fast in people with cardiovascular, kidney or metabolic diseases, diabetes. Fasting is not suitable for people with anemia, infectious diseases, as well as patients with viral and influenza infections, pneumonia, long-term and debilitating diseases.

All people suffering from these diseases need a balanced intake of complete proteins, such as those contained in animal and protein foods and rich in essential amino acids.

Fasting is not recommended during pregnancy, as well as in adolescents, children in adolescence.

What other risks does fasting pose?

With this type of diet, which has strict dietary restrictions, there is a risk of skin changes, nail and hair problems due to the active reaction of the body due to insufficient protein intake. There is a risk of deficiency of vitamins A, D, E. Fasting can also cause anemia, because the main source of iron are meat and meat products and egg yolk, which are not allowed during fasting.

Fasting - "for" And "against" To Observe Them

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Why is fasting useful?

For whom are fasts not recommended?

What other risks does fasting pose?

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