A Monthly Fast May Help Your Heart

The Mormon faith is in the news because of Mitt Romney’s presidential bid. But there’s another reason for showing interest in this religion. The results of a study presented at the recent American Heart Association meeting suggested that a monthly fast could have cardiac benefits. Looking at the records of 4,500-plus Salt Lake City inhabitants having a cath-lab exam for blocked coronary arteries revealed that only 61% of Mormons had heart disease compared with 66% of non-Mormons examined. So the researchers decided to investigate further.

Mormons’ religious practices – monthly fasting, avoiding tea, coffee and alcohol, taking a weekly day of rest, going to church, donating time and money – were assessed in a questionnaire given to 515 Latter Day Saints members with heart problems. Of all the practices examined, periodic fasting made a significant difference in heart risks; 59% of the fasters had heart disease, compared to 67% of the others. Two other religious practices - not smoking and no tea - were also associated with an improved rate of heart disease. Smoking is no surprise, but tea is usually regarded as having a cardioprotective effect – at least, green tea is.

Fasting, for the purpose of this study, was defined as abstaining from food and drink for 2 consecutive meals. This is not a very restrictive regime. It’s probably easier to fulfill than giving up smoking or tea, I suggest. And think of the benefits to your weight control!