Fasting repairs digestive system, improves mental health, boosts immunity: experts

Consultant gastroenterologists said Friday fasting is not only beneficial to the entire digestive system of human beings as it helps repair the damage caused to the gastrointestinal tract, but it also boosts immunity, which can help people in protecting themselves from COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.

They said that with the help of continuous fasting in the month of Ramazan, many obese people can reduce their weight, manage their health issues, including gastric problems such as acid reflux and also remain mentally fit. However, they advised them not to consider the month of fasting as a feasting gala and avoid overeating.

Health experts also urged the people to eat simple and healthy food, drink plenty of plain water after Iftaar till Sehr, and walk regularly after breaking fast, saying it would prevent them from many stomach-related issues in the holy month.

They were speaking at an online seminar or webinar, organised by the Pak GI and Liver Disease Society (PGLDS) on Friday evening, which was attended by hundreds of people throughout the world through social media platforms.

The webinar was addressed by the patron of the PGLDS, Prof Dr Shahid Ahmed, Prof Dr Lubna Kamani from the Liaquat National Hospital Karachi, President PGLDS Dr Sajjad Jamil from the LNH, Registrar Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) Prof Amanullah Abbasi, Dr Hafeezullah Shaikh, while the webinar was moderated by Dr Nazish Butt, consultant gastroenterologist at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Karachi.

Speaking on the occasion, Registrar DUHS and eminent gastroenterologist Prof Amanullah Abbasi termed the month of fasting a blessing for the Muslims, saying that during fasting the digestive tract of the those who fast gets repaired while it also improves the immunity, which help people in fighting many communicable diseases, including the COVID-19.

“Fasting also helps in reducing viral load in patients with Hepatitis B and C if they regularly take their medicines. So this month is a blessing for people, whether they are healthy or having some disease. All they need to do is to eat healthy food, exercise regularly after Iftaar and take their medicines, if required, in consultation with their doctors regularly,” he added.

To a query, Prof Abbasi said fasting does not cause constipation against the belief of some people, and advised the people to take food rich with fiber, including fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread and pulses and drink plenty of water to avoid having constipation.

Prof Lubna Kamani from the Liaquat National Hospital in her talk said that patients of liver cirrhosis whose disease had not progressed could keep fast in the month of Ramazan but advised them to consult their physicians first and take their medicines regularly in consultation with their doctors to avoid having any complications.

“There are many patients who are on drugs that cause dehydration and they have to drink plenty of water. Such patients need advice from their doctors on whether they can keep fast or not, but people with mild illness of liver can fast on the advice of their doctors,” she said, adding that fasting is a beneficial process as it reduces obesity if people don’t consider it as a month of feasting.

President PGLDS Dr Sajjad Jamil said COVID-19 patients with no or mild symptoms could keep fast after consulting with their physicians, adding that people with moderate and severe illness due to the coronavirus should be in hospitals where they should receive treatment under the supervision of experts.

On the other hand, people with other non-communicable diseases should fast but take all the precautionary measures, reduce salt intake, maintain their sugar and exercise regularly to remain healthy in the month of Ramazan, Dr Sajjad Jamil added.

Patron PGLDS Dr Shahid Ahmed emphasized the need for eating balanced and healthy food during the month of Ramazan, avoiding oily and fried food, and most importantly avoid overeating, to remain healthy and fit in the month of fasting.

“If we don’t consider Ramazan as the month of eating and avoid eating pakoras, spicy, oily and fried food, walk after Iftaari and Sehri, we can reap the most of the benefits of Ramazan,” Dr Shahid Ahmed said and urged people to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, milk-based products especially yogurt and drink plenty of water to prevent themselves from stomach gasses, acid reflux and other gastric problems.

Dr Hafeezullah Shaikh also emphasised the need for slow and less eating, a balanced diet and other precautionary measures, while Dr Nazish Butt said people should avoid tea and coffee as they could cause dehydration during fast. She asked the people to remain indoors to avoid contracting COVID-19.