Ask Dr. Denton: It's Lent. Can You Explain the Effects of Fasting?
stores. The brain is rested because its needs are not in competition with the gut and the reduced insulin release allows the brain to get its supply of energy from balanced blood sugars.
A few simple recommendations:
Follow our Lenten calendar. Make Fridays, perhaps even Wednesday, your days to fast.
Start slowly - no meat. Then extend this to a low carbohydrate/ low fat day with water, a small piece of fish, honey on whole grain bread, a spinach salad with olive oil and a touch of vinegar.
Drink water over coffee, soda, or fruit drinks. If you need something else, or your caffeine headache is kicking in, the answer is tea. Try green tea as the primary choice followed by herbal teas or fruit teas such as lemon tea, hot apple spice or chamomile.
Remember prayer time in the morning to set the right priorities. Start the day right and you will finish right. A little walk in the evening or even midday will ward off those urges for sweets.
The truth is, fasting is extremely healthy for the body if the fast is not extreme. By that I mean not performed for days or weeks at a time.
But Dr D, there has to be more ......
Yes, there is more. The benefits of fasting are not just about the physical world, they are also about the spiritual world. Fasting is about becoming identified in solidarity with the poorest of the world in order to feel their hunger, their ache, their longing for sustenance. That is what compassion means. To enter into the suffering of another. It is for love - and for the beauty and dignity of the human person. In our small sacrifice we become one with each other and then we truly are one with Christ, one with God.
May we all fast together and then share our gifts as one.
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Dr Denton D. Weiss, M.D. is board certified in both Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Weiss' approach to his medical practice flows from his convictions about the meaning of life which are deeply rooted in his Catholic Faith. He and his wife, Michelle strive for an integrated approach to life which recognizes the unity of the body, mind and soul. They call this approach "Bella Vitae" or "Beautiful Living". He, and Michelle, are contributing writers to Catholic Online.
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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
Keywords: Fasting, penance, lent, piety, Dr Denton Weiss, Health, Christian, Prayer
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Thank you so much for writing this article! I began fasting with a few of my girlfriends, and there has just been a sense of confusion as to why I am fasting--what's the purpose? How is my stomach aching helpful to the prayers I am saying? After reading this article, even though we're past the season of Lent, I really appreciate the overall sacrifice that I am making now. God understands us and our intentions, and no matter how big or how small the sacrifice, God sees it. Thank you so much for sharing this!
I was looking all over the web for an article on the meaning of fasting and I found this. Thanks alot, it was very helpful
Truly excellent article. It gives a very balanced view of the spititual and physical benefits of fasting. Very encouraging and inspiritional - especially for someone who is trying fasting for the first time.
Great article. It's amazing that the history of fad dieting goes back so far. Although I guess Adam and Eve invented the first fad diet (The Apple-Only Diet)
Simply put, a very useful article. Shared it with a few friends and near ones.
My son (already receiving the sacrament) asked about fasing during lent. This article was very helpful. I wonder if there are articles and/or web sites that are children centered, to understand better their calling to be holy during this lenten season. Thank you.
If weight is a concern, you can "fast" by substituting healthy foods that you wouldn't particularly like/choose. You don't need to lose weight -- you can just change the foods that you eat but not restrict calories. This is sacrificing in a different way.
Hello my name is Rosie, i would like some advice on fasting. I work 5 days a week cleaning peoples houses i clean 2 houses a day. I am about the right weight , i would like to start to fast again but i am concerned about losing to much weight as i am already feeling the work load to much for me now as i am getting older. Can you please advise me on this.Thankyou.
Thank You so much for this article. Because I am a new believer, this was very helpful. God Bless!
as a lifelong fitness trainer I totally concur with the rev.The Church is soooo wise..after eating heavy meals all winter its good to cut back on the fatty stuff. With this comes self-discipline and with self-discipline comes a victory over sin in general! So many in my senior fitness classes are overweight and thus their knees and hips and heart have been damaged,I try to do the best I can and many have improved over time and many workouts..one of my customers is 92 years old. After all of these years I know how to joke them yet still prod them into improving their lifestyle a bit.