Fasting works wonders

Antonis Kafatos – Professor of Preventive Medicine and
Nutrition of the Medical School of the University of Crete.

Research by the University of Crete shows that the dietary requirements of the Orthodox Church are highly beneficial for children's health…….

According to a study, which has just been completed and
was conducted in 609 παι­διά ἡ­λι­κί­ας 5 as 15,5 years from
Θεσ­σα­λο­νί­κη, the 12,1% of children and teenagers follow
πλή­ρη νη­στεί­α.

In other words, abstain from consumption
κρέ­α­τος, dairy products and eggs, and in general
from consuming foods that burden the body,
every Wednesday and Friday, as well as in the fasts of
Χρι­στου­γέν­νων (40 ἡ­μέ­ρες- fish is allowed) and Easter
(48 ἡ­μέ­ρες- fish is allowed on March 25 and
Palm Sunday), of the Holy Apostles (7 as 20 ἡ­μέ­ρες-
fish is allowed) and the fifteenth of August (15 ἡ­μέ­ρες
fish is allowed on the feast of his Transfiguration
Savior).

The scientific leader of the study, Professor of Preventive Medicine and Nutrition at the Medical School of the University of Crete, Mr. Ant. Κα­φά­τος, the children who participated in the research and followed a complete fast in the last days 3,5 years were not found to have significant differences in height compared to those who partially fasted (δη­λα­δή, not all fasting days) or with those who never fasted. "Fasting does not affect their normal development, as formerly believed", points out Mr. Kafatos.

One of the important findings of the study, was that the fasting children, either all the days of the fast or less, they consume a significantly limited number of calories compared to those who never fast.

Experts say abstaining from animal foods at regular intervals is a solution to the ever-growing problem of obesity.

The dietary requirements of the Orthodox Church seem to work... miraculously for children's health. A new study by the University of Crete shows that the 180 with 200

days of fasting per year not only do not "brake" the smooth development of those children who are away

from eating animal foods, but they also help to maintain a normal

βά­ρους, against the ever-increasing childhood obesity.

After families stopped cooking daily, children began to consume more often food - "junk", consequently their weight will increase. In the last 25 years in Greece, overweight and obese children have doubled and it is estimated that they weigh about three kilograms more than,what a decade ago. It is no coincidence that today in our country the 22,5% of the population is obese. The fasting, which is a basic element of the Greek Mediterranean diet, can, as the experts say, provide a solution to the problem of obesity in the healthiest way.

Θερ­μί­δες
As 1.500 (for children as 10 ἐ­τῶν) and on average 2.000 (for
teenagers as 14 ἐ­τῶν, according to gender, the height and the
δρα­στη­ρι­ό­τη­τα).

Λί­πη
As 50 γραμ­μά­ρια.

2-3 of years they must maintain the total daily intake of fat in 30%-35% of the calories they consume.

4-18 since the percentage must be limited to 25%-35%.

Most fats should come from sources
polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, ὅ­πως
it's the fish, nuts, the olive oil, and yes
avoid saturated and trans fats.

Ἁ­λά­τι
(One spoonful of salt is equal to 2.300 mg):

The first year: As 1 γραμ­μά­ριο, δη­λα­δή 400 mg νά­τριο.

2-3 ἐ­τῶν: 2 γραμ­μά­ρια, 4-6 ἐ­τῶν: 3 γραμ­μά­ρια, 7-10 ἐ­τῶν: 5 γραμ­μά­ρια. No more oxidative stress.

The... definition of foods of animal origin from the
diet of those who follow the Orthodox fasting not
exhausts the organization. And that's because those who
νη­στεύ­ουν κα­τα­να­λώ­νουν ἄλ­λα τρό­φι­μα ὑ­ψη­λῆς δι­α­τρο­φι­κῆς
ἀ­ξί­ας, such as seafood, oil and tahini.

According to investigations of the Department of Preventive Medicine and
of Nutrition of the University of Crete, Those who fast do not
ἔ­χουν σι­δη­ρο­πε­νι­κή ἀ­ναι­μί­α, while their total cholesterol
it is lower compared to those who do not fast.

Ἐ­πί­σης, people who do not fast have high levels
oxidative stress, δη­λα­δή, as explained by Mr. Κα­φά­τος,
"oxygen free radicals increase in the body
their, which are extremely toxic and harmful
damage to the cell membranes and DNA of the cells,
that is, they cause changes in the genome".

The experts are categorical: The Orthodox fast
is an important weapon in the fight against
obesity and the diseases that accompany it (ὑ­πέρ­τα­ση,
ὑ­περ­λι­πι­δαι­μί­ες, σακ­χα­ρώ­δης δι­α­βή­της, cerebrovascular and
καρ­δια­κά ἐ­πει­σό­δια, cancer etc.).

The basic rules

Ἐ­λαι­ό­λα­δο: It strengthens the defense against it
καρ­κί­νου. Beneficial effects on metabolism
functions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Λα­χα­νι­κά, greens and fruits: Beneficial for
the health of the digestive and gastrointestinal system.
Studies have shown that they reduce the chances
manifestation of colon and cardiovascular cancer
νο­ση­μά­των. They also have antioxidant properties.

Τα­χί­νι: It also has anti-aging properties
ἀν­τι­υ­περ­τα­σι­κές ἰ­δι­ό­τη­τες. It helps to fight it
χο­λη­στε­ρό­λης, in the immunization, in the prevention of
κα­ταρ­ρά­κτη, in the treatment of diabetes and
atherosclerosis and in the proper functioning of the liver!

Ξη­ροί καρ­ποί: Πε­ρι­έ­χουν ὑ­ψη­λές πο­σό­τη­τες
ἀ­σβε­στί­ου. Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids,
πρω­τε­ΐ­νες, ἰ­χνο­στοι­χεῖ­α, plant fibers and vitamins.

Θα­λασ­σι­νά: Rich in vitamins, ω-3 fatty acids (beneficial for the cardiovascular system).

And iodine. Πρέ­πειto ἀthey are avoided by people with increased uric acid.