Some Food for Thought on Fasting

The Baha'i month of fasting is fast approaching, and in preparation for this period of reflection and spiritual regeneration, I thought it might be of interest to examine some of the spiritual and scientific aspects of fasting. By way of background, here's an excerpt from an article on the official Baha'i website describing the basic parameters of the fast:

As has been the case with other revealed religions, the Bahá'í Faith sees great value in the practice of fasting as a discipline for the soul. Bahá'u'lláh designated a nineteen-day period each year when adult Bahá'ís fast from sunrise to sunset each day. This period coincides with the Bahá'í month of Ala (meaning Loftiness), from March 2 to 21, inclusive. This is the month immediately preceding the Bahá'í new year, which occurs the day of the vernal equinox; and the period of fasting is therefore viewed as a time of spiritual preparation and regeneration for a new year's activities. Women who are nursing or pregnant, the aged, the sick, the traveler, those engaged in heavy labor, as well as children under the age of fifteen, are exempt from observance of the Fast.

Now on to the science. Recently, I happened across a Scientific American article detailing some of the latest findings of a study on how fasting affects the brain. I can't say that I understand all of the science behind the study, which involved monitoring the brain activity of fasting mice, but there were some incredible parallels between these recent findings and the guidance provided by Baha'u'llah about fasting over a century ago. The article states:

Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, but are also involved in controlling body temperature. Triiodothyronine [a thyroid hormone] is involved in fasting and also activates a related uncoupling protein that helps regulate the body's temperature. When activated, the protein indirectly decreases the efficiency of energy production and generates heat as a result. Similarly, the number of mitochondria in the neurons also increased and became active during fasting, according to the study. "We found a cellular mechanism in the brain that is similar to one in the periphery tissue involved in body heat regulation," Diano says.

Next, the researchers hope to determine if the increased activity in neurons is specifically related to the thyroid hormone or if other hormones are involved. Diano also plans to look into whether the mechanism that is activated during fasting has thermogenic consequences in the brain and "whether heat may serve as neurotransmitters in activating neurons in the brain." If so, she says temperature variations could have "big consequences for the brain."

Two things in particular caught my attention in reading these paragraphs. One was the cliffhanger at the end about the potential "big consequences for the brain" of fasting. From a scientific perspective, it seems like there is often discussion of the beneficial effects of fasting on the body, in terms of purification and detoxification, but less focus on the effects of fasting on the brain. It'll be interesting to see what is discovered!

The other intriguing finding was the statement that fasting--through Triiodothyronine and the activation of a related uncoupling protein--generates heat. The article dangles the possibility that this generation of heat may have neurological consequences, including activating neurons in the brain. The reason this was of interest to me is because it parallels so closely the following passage from Baha'u'llah about the fast:

These are the days of the Fast. Blessed is the one who through the heat generated by the Fast increaseth his love, and who, with joy and radiance, ariseth to perform worthy deeds.

I'm trying to better understand what this all might mean, and in particular what the significance of "the heat generated by the Fast" might be, both from a scientific and spiritual perspective. The passage from Baha'u'llah indicates that the heat can increase our love, and the study describes the effects of the physiological, and potential neurological, heat that is generated. One way to look at it is that generally, heat is an activating influence--it enkindles, enflames, and quickens, both spiritually and materially. Perhaps some food for thought during the fast!

Your thoughts, dear reader, on this topic would be greatly appreciated!