Fast

Limits of the fast

The human organism, young and in good health, can support a total fast, but not excluding the catch from drink, for one rather long period, up to three months (as the history testifies some to 9 prisoners of the prison of Cork (Ireland) in 1920 of which the fast lasted 94 days, there was also that of Bobby Sands died in Belfast on May 5th, 1981 after having engaged an hunger strike without return on March 1st) if the person quite bearing and is well nourished at the time of the beginning of the fast. Physiology adapts quickly by mobilizing the internal reserves, but, rather quickly (on average at the end of 3 to 4 weeks), the continuation of the fast can involve big risks, in particular towards the end, on the Cardiac rhythm. A medical monitoring is vital at least as from the 4th week (more or less according to the health condition, the conditions of the fast and the nature of the reserves at the beginning).

Physiological effects of the fast

When no food is absorbed, the organization is constrained to draw on itself its energy sources. It initially will use the glucose of the Glycogène, a molecule of reserve contained in the Foie (Glycogénolyse), then the fatty-acids of fat fabrics and finally, the muscular Protéine S (from where the " loss of muscle"). The body, the brain and the fabrics nervous need glucose (Glucolyse) for a normal metabolism (in normal circumstances, the brain consumes approximately 120g glucose per day). Once transformed glucose, the metabolism of the body is thus in deficiency. An alternative towards another energy source can be made, however, certain parts of the brain need exclusively glucose, and of proteins are necessary to its production. If the lack of proteins were to be prolonged, death would follow.

Herbert Mr. Shelton supervised during one period from 4 to 5 years of the patients fasting with water only up to 90 days; according to him, after one three days approximate period of fast, the feeling of hunger becomes usually far from frequent or disappears completely. Shelton declared the `hunger' felt during the first three days of fast must with a “gastric irritation” and not a “true hunger”. A second hunger once appears the body burned all its resources (in general at the end of 3 weeks), it is at this time that the fast must be stopped, to avoid any irreversible and permanent damage at the organization.

Interest of the fast

The practice of the therapeutic fast refers to the work of cleaning of the human body (drainage) by the bodies émonctoires.

the fact that the good hydration of the body is indissociable therapeutic aspect of the fast presents like a creative discussion to open with the crossroads theology (see paragraph " in Islam") and of medicine (see medical drainage).
the least which one can say is that the benefit of the fast is not limited to only the spiritual field , and that the honest man must take into account the reality of physical processes also implemented by this therapeutic step.
This reference obliged to the honest man, who returns us to the 17° century, does not stress that too well the contribution of Wöhler to the Connaissance such processes physical, in the middle of the organic Chimie: it is in 1832, indeed, that the German scientist ruins the fictions " doctors of Molière " by the synthesis of the Urea.

Fast religious

In the Jewish tradition

The Jewish religion recommends the fasts ( Taanit ) following: Yom Kippour (the only fast mentioned in the Torah), the 17 Tammouz, Tisha Beav, the Fast of Guedaliah, the 10 Tevet, the Fast of first-born the, the Fast of Esther, majority being fasts of mourning.

In the Catholic religion

The fast is a current practice where he is regarded as a factor of purification which helps to meet God. It consists of a voluntary deprivation of certain foods, the meat primarily. The fast is often associated with the abstinence which is not summarized, contrary to a current belief, with the voluntary deprivation of sexual relationships. In Catholicism, the fast and the abstinence were requested from the people wishing to receive the Communion; the fast started then as of the day before.

In the same way, during period of Lent (the 40 days which precedes Easter), the fast is strongly recommended, even if the obligations are less formal than formerly. Lastly, Friday was the day of the week a long time when one made systematically thin , i.e. one did not eat meat, which explains the French culinary tradition to consume fish this day.

In the mormonism

The Saints of the last days fast each first Sunday of the month, of Saturday evening at the Sunday evening (or of midday Saturday at the midday Sunday, the choice), while occurring from food and drink and while giving to the Church, for the most stripped wellbeing of, the value of the not consumed meals, or more if the giver wishes it. In April and in October, due to general conference of the Church, the day of fast is deferred to second Sunday of the month.

In Islam

In Islam, the fast has a broad significance. Indeed one speaks about fast like renouncement (not only in food or drink). The Islam recommends to the believer to respect a fast, the Saoum , during the month of Ramadan mainly, and on other dates also, like in any time, in order to develop its spirituality.

During the month of Ramadan, the fast is obligatory. On the other hand, it is only desirable for certain occasions such as will achoura, the last day of pilgrimage, Monday and Thursday. The fast begins " at daybreak; alfajr" and finishes with laying down sun " almaghrib". One must abstain from, during this amount of time, of food, drink and sexual relationships. Are exempted the expectant mothers, the patients under medical care, the infants, the travellers, and the women in period of menstruations.

In Eastern philosophies

The moderate fast (15 day at 3 weeks or the half-fast) has the role to improve the conscience of the body. Out of compound with méditatives techniques - or simply time to let elutriate the problems - the fast makes it possible to better feel the effect of the thoughts on our body. This increased sensitivity of the body is intended for better feeling the positive or negative effect thoughts, actions or projects on the wellbeing.

In Hindouisme

The fast has a big role in the Hindu religion . The believers observe various diets according to their personal beliefs and the local habits.

Some examples:

Certains Hindus fasts certain days of the month like Ekadasi (the 11th day of each lunar Cycle) or to Purnima (full moon).

Certains days of the week is days of fast specific to the beliefs of each one and a favorite divinity.

the Thursday is one day of very widespread fast in the North of the India. The faithful ones wear yellow clothing and yellow flowers.

Jeûner during religious holidays is rather common. For example, at the time of Shivaratri or during the 9 days of Navratri (2 times per annum, in April and in October) before Diwali. Karwa Chauth is a form of fast respected in the North of the India by the women married in favor of health, the prosperity and for the longevity of the life of their husbands. The fast is broken after the wife is seen the moon through a veil after laying down it sun.

The diets of fast are varied. If the fast is strictly respected, the person fasting absorbs any food, neither solid, nor liquid, of laying down sun up to 48 minutes after the rising of the sun of the next day. To fast can also mean to be deprived of certain foods or to be satisfied with only one meal in the course of the day. In all the cases, un/e Hindou/e, even not Vegetarian, should not eat or even touch products resulting from animals (eggs, meat, etc…) the day of the fast.

Fast political

The political fast , also called fast of protest or hunger strike , is, seems it, an invention of Gandhi.

It was then used by several personalities in Europe, of which Lanza del Vasto, in particular during the Guerre of Algeria, during the Concile Vatican II and the fight of the peasants of the Larzac. Louis Lecoin often used this method, which has leads to the recognition of the statute of conscientious objector. A very hard episode also took place in the fight opposing the Irishmen of the WILL GO to the the United Kingdom under the mode of Mrs Thatcher.

It is often used today by Réfugié S to force obtaining a residence permit; it is also practiced by groups eager to ensure a press coverage their ideas or to make pressure on a government, an authority.

From March 7th to April 14th, 2006, Jean Lassalle, appointed French of the Yrénées-Atlantiques, followed a fast of several weeks to protest against the starting risk of a Japanese company in its district; it ceased its fast against the guarantees that the company will remain in the places.

Fast for medical reasons

Before a nonurgent anesthesia, the fast is necessary, because of the risk of vomiting during induction of the anesthesia, being able to involve a passage of the gastric contents in the bronchi, having for consequence a Syndrome of Mendelson.

After an surgical operation, the fast can be indicated, that is to say because

of a digestive ileus (intestinal paralysis) being able to have for origin the surgical gesture him even or the use of certain drugs,
of the need for protecting the digestive joinings until cicatrization.

See too

Religion and food
Lent
federal Fast
Genevese Fast
Saoum (Islamic fast)
Yom Kippour

External bond

Center Natural international hygienist and Life.

Fast like deepening of the conscience of the body and the meditation

the site of the French federation of fast and excursion

Discover the virtues of the fast and the excursion.

Be-X-old: Пост Simple: Fasting

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