Floris Estourgie’s legs hurt for several years, a problem that doctors were unable to cure. After some research, he tried a 21-day water fast in 2017.
“I felt like a different person after the fast, with better sleep and digestion, a calmer state of mind, less irritability and more confidence. I’ve been fasting regularly ever since,” says Estourgie, 23, a foreign exchange trader in Mexico. He does many water and dry fasts, lasting between one and three weeks through the year, and attributes the considerably reduced pain in his legs to the practice.
Anecdotal pros
Intermittent fasting – eating for shorter durations over the course of a single day – has been popular for some years now. But many, like Estourgie, routinely fast for extended periods, ranging from 24 hours to several weeks.
Speaking strictly anecdotally, as there is no conclusive scientific research to back this up, fasting is reported to reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity and cellular repair, aid weight loss and manage chronic diseases.
Kartika Dubey tried a three-day water fast in 2019 after a painful abscess recurred despite medication.
“The problem was gone after the fast,” she claims. “Since then, I fast regularly, doing water, dry and juice fasts to heal, maintain and upgrade my health,” says Dubey, 30, a life coach and dance movement therapist from Palani Hills, India.
Alexa Jones turned to fasting after she became ill seven years ago and doctors could not pinpoint the exact problem.
“I had a weak and sore liver, hard painful masses in my abdomen and frequent headaches,” says Jones, 35, a technology founder from Tulsa, US. Now she does a monthly water or dry fast for three to five days. “I have since healed the masses in my stomach, my liver is stronger, I'm not crippled any more and I don't suffer from chronic headaches,” Jones tells The National.
In longer fasts, the body runs out of glutathione and other nutrients needed to remove toxins
Dr Joel Fuhrman,
president, Nutritional Research Foundation
Initially motivated by weight loss, Manish Bhatt began to fast daily for at least 16 hours, extending it to 36 hours at the weekend to reset his discipline. He reports feeling more energetic and alert, and has lost 18 kilograms of excess weight over the past two years.
“But the most surprising results are emotional and spiritual. I feel more inclined towards self-inquiry, kindness and meditation,” says Bhatt, 47, an advertising agency owner from Gurgaon, India. Many echo this sentiment, attributing clarity of thought, mindfulness and mental discipline to their fasting practice.
Luke Coutinho, a holistic lifestyle coach − integrative and lifestyle medicine, from Mumbai, India, believes prolonged fasting is beneficial for the body’s healing mechanisms. “However, it is not easy with the kinds of jobs and responsibilities most of us have,” he says. “The most doable and natural way to fast is in a 12-hour circadian rhythm. One can do a 24-hour fast once in a while.”
Medical cons
While advocates are persuaded by the benefits they have experienced upon not eating for extended periods of time, many medical professionals remain unconvinced, given the limited research on prolonged fasting.
“Healing is accelerated when not eating, but that occurs when we sleep and during short fasts just as effectively,” says physician Joel Fuhrman, president of the Nutritional Research Foundation and a New York Times bestselling author who lives in Flemington, US.
“In longer fasts, the body runs out of glutathione and other nutrients needed to remove toxins. My views are consistent with the overwhelming amount of scientific research that only moderate caloric restriction, so you don’t get too thin, and intermittent fasting, which enables sleep without digestive activity, [and may be] lifespan-promoting.”
In the building phase, make sure you eat well. Don’t diet, else you will only cripple your metabolism
Luke Coutinho,
holistic lifestyle coach
Fuhrman does not recommend a medically unsupervised water fast that lasts any longer than five days, after which the risks of low potassium and dehydration are heightened, or a vegetable juice fast exceeding 10 days.
He also labels dry-fasting as “dangerous”, pointing out the risks of kidney damage.
People with health issues should always consult their doctor before introducing any dietary change.
Preparation is key
“It’s important to be well-hydrated by eating a lot of fresh fruits and drinking juices and water for long periods of time before a dry fast,” says Dubey.
Coutinho agrees, claiming that energy otherwise used for the digestive process is focused completely on healing. “A boosted immune system, reduced inflammation and more can be achieved through fasting, provided it’s done the right way.”
Other risks of prolonged fasting include anaemia, a weakened immune system, liver and kidney problems, and mineral deficiencies. Fuhrman also says: “An overwhelming risk of fasting is fainting and injuring yourself. Be alert to the possibility of becoming light-headed at any time and immediately get down to the floor to prevent a fall.”
However, supporters reiterate that all these risks are brought on by insufficient or incorrect preparation. “In the building phase, make sure you eat well. Don’t diet, else you will only cripple your metabolism. Get your macros and micros, vitamins and minerals,” says Coutinho.
Breaking a fast gradually after a prolonged period is equally important, as immediately eating heavy food or consuming large quantities can be harmful.
Even its advocates concede, however, that prolonged fasting can be uncomfortable. Estourgie lost a fingernail and his lymph node swelled painfully during a 26-day water fast. He writes this off as part of the body’s purging process to release toxins, and says eventually his nail grew back completely and the swelling subsided without any intervention.
“Fasting can be very rough on the body,” admits Jones. “The results will be unsustainable without a change in mindset about nutrition. I think it's hard if weight loss is your only goal.”
Both parties agree that doing your research and consulting a health professional is crucial. “I believe fasting is important to maintain great health, but people's bodies and journeys are complex and different,” says Dubey. “Health shouldn't be messed around with, take it slow and consult a professional along the way.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
Richard Jewell
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley
Two-and-a-half out of five stars
Naga
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
RESULTS
Argentina 4 Haiti 0
Peru 2 Scotland 0
Panama 0 Northern Ireland 0
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Arabian Gulf Cup FINAL
Al Nasr 2
(Negredo 1, Tozo 50)
Shabab Al Ahli 1
(Jaber 13)
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- Margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars
- Energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- Infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes
- Many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts
Another way to earn air miles
In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.
An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.
“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.
