tips for a good fasting

Feb. 2006

Dear Ones,As the month of Fast for the Baha'is approaches, I felt moved to share a few suggestions on very practical aspects of fasting with you. These are just myown personal experiences as a physician and should be taken only as such. Wehave so many beautiful prayers and guidelines from the Writings that makefasting such a spiritually rejuvenating experience; rarely do we share ourphysical experiences. So here we go:1. Fasting is not a weight loss program; make sure you eat enough in themorning. Complex carbohydrates and high protein foods last much longer andprovide a steady source of energy. A doughnut will leave you hungry by 10am!2. Include omega-3 supplement along with your multivitamin in your diet ifyour diet does not include enough natural sources of vitamins, minerals andgood fatty acids.3. Some people will experience severe constipation during fast. Drinkenough water; include more fiber, might need psyllium (e.g., Metamucil) or othersoluble fibers. This could become really important if you are vulnerable!4. Watch out for caffeine withdrawal; nothing wrong with moderate morningcoffee or tea. If you are used to more caffeine, be prepared to have someheadache, and perhaps fatigue and irritability for the first few days.5. Moderate your physical activities. If you exercise, be careful not to get dehydrated. Watch your pulse rate. If it rises too high or you get dizzy,you are receiving danger signals.6. If you are taking medications make sure you let your doctor know if it isOK to fast. Some of the very commonly prescribed drugs like cholesterollowering meds do not do well with a dehydrated body. You might need doseadjustment, a drug holiday or skipping fasting altogether. have witnessed so manybeneficial aspects of the Fast over the years such as improvement ofepression, anxiety and compulsive/addictive disorders. But we must also remember weare not to fast physically if our physical conditions do not allow us to do so.I hope some of these suggestions are helpful.Happy Ayyam-i-ha and happy fasting!Farid Sabet-Sharghi,MDAssistant Clinical Professor of PsychiatryCWRU ,Cleveland, Ohiohttp://www.faridsabetmd.com/