Head of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) Taruna Ikrar gave an inspiring lecture at the Al Markaz Al Islami Mosque, Makassar on Thursday, March 13.
This lecture was delivered to the congregation of the Isha and Tarawih Prayers and was attended by the General Chair of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of South Sulawesi, Prof. Nadjamuddin Abd. Safa.
Taruna Ikrar discusses the benefits of fasting from a health and neuroscience point of view. This discussion is in line with BPOM's commitment to educating the public about patterns of drug consumption and healthy food during the month of Ramadan.
The Ikrar cadet emphasized that behind the fasting order, there is a big wisdom that has a positive impact on the health of the body and the human brain. In addition, fasting is also a means for Muslims to increase piety to Allah SWT.
In terms of health, fasting is proven to have many benefits. According to Taruna Ikrar, fasting helps the body become younger, healthier, and prevents various dangerous diseases.
"Many nutritionists recommend that we fast, even though the spirit is only to make the body healthier. This is because when we fast for approximately 16 hours, there are 3 physiological processes that occur in our bodies," explained Taruna, quoted from the BPOM page on Saturday, March 15.
In the first 8 hours of fasting, the body uses the energy of the food consumed during sahur. This process is called glycolysis, namely the breakdown of glucose into the energy needed by the body.
"In the next 8 hours, because there is no more food intake into the body, the body will use 'deposit' of fat in the body, which has been stored as a result of our diet for the previous 11 months, to become a source of energy. This process can clean up 'storage' which can be a source of disease from our blood vessels, "explained Taruna Ikrar.
The next process that occurs during fasting is autophage, which is the body's natural mechanism to recycle damaged or malfunctioning cells. These old cells are then replaced with new cells through the regeneration process.
With autophage walking, the body can clean itself from toxic substances, so that the risk of metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes mellitus,tender heart disease, and cancer can be reduced.
With the formation of new, healthier cells, the body becomes younger and fitter. This process also increases the immune system, so that a person is less likely to get sick.
Therefore, fasting can be considered a natural way for the body to carry out regular detoxification and rejuvenation. In addition to having a positive impact on physical health, fasting also has a major impact on brain health and the nervous system.
"Fasting can help prevent neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. In addition, fasting plays a role in balancing hormones, increasing memory, and controlling emotions," said Taruna Ikrar.
In the field of neuroscience, there are three main processes that occur in the brain during fasting, namely neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and neurocompensation.
Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt. Meanwhile, neurogenesis, namely the formation of new nerve cells and neurocompensation is a strengthening of brain function.
"So, if before Ramadan our thoughts were often filled with negative thoughts, then after fasting for 1 month with worship activities and other positive things. We become human beings who think positively, are optimistic, more enthusiastic," continued Taruna Ikrar.
From the presentation of Taruna Ikrar, it can be concluded that fasting provides many benefits, both in terms of physical health and mental health. Fasting not only helps the body dispose of harmful substances and renew cells, but also improves brain function, maintains emotional balance, and strengthens one's piety to Allah SWT.
In closing, Taruna Ikrar invites all pilgrims to continue to be enthusiastic in fasting. In addition, he also reminded the importance of maintaining a healthy diet during Ramadan by eating balanced nutritious foods, reducing the intake of salt, sugar, and fat, and choosing medicines that meet safety standards.
"If you want to be a healthy, happy human being, have good thoughts, then fast. Hopefully we will become pious servants and later return to being a fit human at the end of the month of Ramadan." he concluded.
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