Carla Venegas-Borsellino1,2, Robert G Martindale3,4. 1. Departments of Critical Care Medicine and Neurocritical Care at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, USA. Venegas-Borsellino.Carla@mayo.edu. 2. Departments of Critical Care and Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA. Venegas-Borsellino.Carla@mayo.edu. 3. Departments of General Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, USA. 4. Hospital Nutrition Services at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Since the early development of human societies, religious beliefs, and practices has been integral to their identity, culture, and social structure, traditions are influenced by the area, era, and culture wherein they developed. Some religions offer advice on behavioral and diet modifications as strategies to fortify the body, purify the spirit, and elevate consciousness. This review is an attempt to compare different practices, describe the health benefits and risks of fasting, and reconcile these age-old recommendations with practical modern life. RECENT FINDINGS: Research to clarify and quantify the impact of these dietary modifications is challenging due to the variability in recommendations among various religions and in day-to-day practices. Most religions share common goals of well-being, body-mind integration, and spiritual attainment. Historically, the transformational power of fasting periods has been appreciated, but there is still much to discover about the underlying beneficial physiologic mechanisms of fasting in preventing and treating metabolic diseases.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Since the early development of human societies, religious beliefs, and practices has been integral to their identity, culture, and social structure, traditions are influenced by the area, era, and culture wherein they developed. Some religions offer advice on behavioral and diet modifications as strategies to fortify the body, purify the spirit, and elevate consciousness. This review is an attempt to compare different practices, describe the health benefits and risks of fasting, and reconcile these age-old recommendations with practical modern life. RECENT FINDINGS: Research to clarify and quantify the impact of these dietary modifications is challenging due to the variability in recommendations among various religions and in day-to-day practices. Most religions share common goals of well-being, body-mind integration, and spiritual attainment. Historically, the transformational power of fasting periods has been appreciated, but there is still much to discover about the underlying beneficial physiologic mechanisms of fasting in preventing and treating metabolic diseases.
Entities:
Keywords:
Buddhism; Caloric restriction; Daniel Fast; Hinduism; Islam; Judaism; Orthodox fasting; Religious fasting
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