Health Benefits of Orthodox Fasting...

[OrthodoxTexan]

Interesting study... (http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/3/16)
Results

Statistically significant end-fasting total and LDL cholesterol differences were found in fasters. Fasters compared to controls presented 12.5% lower end-total cholesterol (p < 0.001), 15.9% lower end-LDL cholesterol (p < 0.001) and 1.5% lower end-BMI (p < 0.001). The end- LDL/HDL ratio was lower in fasters (6.5%, p < 0.05) while the change in end- HDL cholesterol in fasters (4.6% decline) was not significant. Similar results were found when the pre- and end-fasting values of fasters were compared. No change was found in control subjects.

Conclusions

Adherence to Greek Orthodox fasting periods contributes to a reduction in the blood lipid profile including a non-significant reduction in HDL cholesterol and possible impact on obesity.It appears that an Orthodox fasting regimen is not only good for the Soul...but also good for the heart.

[Epiphany]

Interesting study... (http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/3/16)
It appears that an Orthodox fasting regimen is not only good for the Soul...but also good for the heart.
To Life Immortal

I agree. I used to be vegetarian. After Great Lent, I'm thinking about becoming a vegetarian again. I never did eat much red meat, but I need to lose wieght and being vegetarian will help me do that. As I said in a previous post, thank God for soy products. There are now good tasting soymilks and veggie meat replacements out there for a good price. Tofu and tempeh are among my favourite foods. :)

Peace and Long Life
~*~ Epiphany ~*~

http://img13.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Tijger/violetpic.jpg

[Moros]

Orthodox fasting is quite similar to the atkins induction.

[Umut]

Epiphany, with all do respect...

By eating plants and nothing but plants you're causing animals to die of starvation. Not only that, if they starve they will die and cannot feed their young; therefore, reproduction also stops and drops by a big percentage. If meat grew out of a bucket, would you eat it?

Just brainstorming here; if you want to lose weight just stick to a good diet; eat meat like once or twice a meat; your body needs proteins. The Great Lent is temporary and has been proven to be the healthiest diet on Earth. It's healthy to eat meat; and I think it's contraversial to be a vegetarian. Just my thoughts; please do not be offended.

:)

[Matrona]

Umut, could you explain how eating meat keeps animals FROM dying? :)

[Epiphany]

Epiphany, with all do respect...

By eating plants and nothing but plants you're causing animals to die of starvation. Not only that, if they starve they will die and cannot feed their young; therefore, reproduction also stops and drops by a big percentage. If meat grew out of a bucket, would you eat it?

Just brainstorming here; if you want to lose weight just stick to a good diet; eat meat like once or twice a meat; your body needs proteins. The Great Lent is temporary and has been proven to be the healthiest diet on Earth. It's healthy to eat meat; and I think it's contraversial to be a vegetarian. Just my thoughts; please do not be offended.

:)
To Life Immortal

Merhaba

How does being a vegetarian cause animals to starve? I eat lots of rabbit food, (carrots, lettuce, greens) and soy food products. I eat lots of salmon (not during Great Lent) and seafood. I don't eat much bread; wheat and I aren't the best of friends, lol! Apples, grapes and berries are my favourites fruit. Ate a nice cantaloupe just the other night, yummy! :)

I get protein from fish, seafood, soyfoods, nuts and seeds. I LOVE cashews and almonds.

You didn't offend me; I'm a tuff ol' broad. ;) lol.

Gule gule

Peace and Long Life
~*~ Epiphany ~*~

http://img13.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Tijger/violetpic.jpg

[OrthodoxTexan]

Orthodox fasting is quite similar to the atkins induction.?

Atkins induction involves strict carb restrictions. I don't think I could last one day during the fast without carbs of some sort, usually breads or a pasta. The atkins diet is based upon nearly unrestricted intake of dairy, fats/oils, and meat. That doesn't sound very Lenten to me.

[Umut]

Eating meat of course kills animals; but it also upholds the harmony among the Earth. Eating plants and nothing but plants would cause all the animals to starve, but it's all good; i was just saying...

:)

[prodromos]

Dear Umut, I suspect there are more than enough greens out their for man and animals. Besides, if there was no meat industry there would be no need to keep large herds of sheep, goats and cattle in the first place.

John.

[Moros]

?

Atkins induction involves strict carb restrictions. I don't think I could last one day during the fast without carbs of some sort, usually breads or a pasta. The atkins diet is based upon nearly unrestricted intake of dairy, fats/oils, and meat. That doesn't sound very Lenten to me.

I was reading a lenten cookbook which included lots of fish recipies, which, coincidentally, did not contain any carbs.

[Michael the Iconographer]

My view of fasting is this: I love red meat and chicken. I have found that fasting is a good way for me to quiet my passions and focus more on God. It is spiritually purifying for me. I don't plan on ever becoming vegetarian on a regular basis, but the Lenten Fast and the Weds/Friday fast during the rest of the year (along with the other fasts) are good ways to keep your focus on God.

[Oblio]

Just a quick single sample point.

I got a good lipid report yesterday compared to ~6 mos ago (170 vs. 205).

Causal relationship ??

[prodromos]

Everyone at work reckons I've lost weight ;)