Experts believe that the changing dietary habits during the holy month of Ramzan is the best way to deal with obesity, hypertension and other related ailments, reports Bisma Tenzu.

Fasting has been made compulsory for all Muslim adults in Islam during the month of Ramzan. In today’s stressful time where every second person is suffering from a psychological problem, Ramzan is the time of happiness and celebration for all Muslims. There is peace and tranquility for those who fast and a special atmosphere prevails in homes, in mosques and in the Muslim community as a whole.

However, many changes occur in dietary habits during this month due to a sudden shift in the timing of meals and sleeping patterns which can lead to medical complications. Experts say that the fasting in no way affects a normal human body until a person is suffering from a major disease.  Only the patients who are having insulin diabetes or are suffering from kidney problems should not fast.

In fact, the holy month of Ramzan offers an ideal situation for the treatment of non-insulin diabetes, obesity and for those who are suffering from hypertension. Experts say a number of diseases arise like increase in cholesterol level due to obesity. But when a person is fasting, his/her fat gets reduced which leads to a decrease in the failing health.

“15-20% of population in Kashmir is suffering from hypertension and these patients are obese as well. They should not keep away from fasting as it is beneficial for them,” physician specialist Dr Sarosh Khan says,

‘‘A person doesn’t take anything to eat for a long time and then the body starts to break down the fat reserves. And when Ramzan comes to an end, a person who had been fasting loses some weight. Otherwise if the person fails to do so, then it means that he/she had just shifted the timings of their meals’’, adds Dr Khan.

The main purpose of fasting in Ramzan is self-control and self-regulation, to impose a discipline in the eating habits and life style by making certain sacrifices. The lessons learnt during Ramzan are beneficial for one’s life. In Islam, you are not obligated to fast if you are sick or on a journey but it is compulsory for Muslims to make up for the lost days of Ramzan by observing fast afterwards.

Ramzan not only affects our body but also changes our behavior. Fasting is thus yet another instrument for bringing us closer to our natural state. ‘’Fasting is a natural way of bidding good bye to many diseases. One should always go for a health check up 15 or 20 before Ramzan starts, ‘’ senior physician specialist Dr Mohammad Lateef Charoo told Kashmir life.

Ramadan gives many people a break from their work routines and provides them with a rare opportunity to think about their inner selves. This mental break can help them set aside many worries and stress factors, which are a major cause of psychological illnesses.

‘’Fasting depends on faith. Everything is beneficial for us that Islam has asked us to do,” says a physician Dr Musadiq Ahmed Khan. The main purpose of fasting is to learn the art of control and patience. It includes the mind exercises to control the desires. And Ramadan is the time to come closer and learn God’s will. This is the month of purification and a chance to change.

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