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‘So, I am on a flight back from a conference in Spain. Very quiet and relaxed. Then, the spiritual part comes in; I just felt a prompting which I believe was from the Holy Spirit that said write a book. I did not know what that was about. And the feeling became stronger and stronger.”
When he got home Muzi Maseko took out a notebook “and the words just came flowing”, says the pastor, scientist, researcher, lecturer and doctor of physiology, who last year published his take on the Daniel Fast, a diet based on principles from the Book of Daniel.
HOW THE DIET WORKS
After being captured and taken to Babylon, Daniel went on a 10-day fast during which he refused the delicacies of the palace. “He requested that he and his three friends be given vegetables and water instead,” writes Maseko in his book.
“Towards the end of the exile, they do the 21-day fast where Daniel needed God to answer his prayers.”
This 21-day fast is observed by many Christians, often during the month of January, and Maseko is one of them.
He says it’s very important to consult your doctor before fasting. He usually fasts three times a week and never when lecturing a large class.
“The thing I fear is bad breath and you know how students are,” he says with a chuckle.
He breaks fast at 6pm and does not eat after 8pm. But when he eats, his meal has no meat. If he snacks during the two hours, it’s usually something light like popcorn.
LIFESTYLE DISEASES AND THE COMMUNITY
The story of the book goes way back to 2002, when Maseko joined scientists from across the planet in Belgium. They were there to undergo training focused on early detections of lifestyle diseases by using advanced technology.
“Because Europeans are rich,” he chuckles, “they called us to a centre at the university of KU Leuven. I spent about nine months there. They were trying to look at what the problem is because it is a worldwide phenomenon.”
The technology helps in early detections of heart failure, kidney failure, strokes, hypertension, diabetes and the like. He came back home with the equipment (currently based at the Wits Medical School) worth over half a million rand to continue his work. This advanced technology is currently not widely found in South Africa and he offers testing free of charge.
“What I do is mainly community based. I started getting people from Soweto. People from poor communities who would not have access to such,” says Maseko, who also purchased a car to transport the people. As someone who has studied and researched many fruits and vegetables, he encourages a vegetarian diet to those who are prone to lifestyle ailments.
But, in the Daniel Fast, man cannot live on fruits and veggies alone. Placing God first in all one does is highlighted, whether fasting or not, but particularly when fasting.
Maseko began working with a group of young black doctors-in-training from the South African Hypertension and Diet Study research group. And after years of research, the book was born.
It boldly delves into what seem to be two opposing schools of thought: theology and science. As a pastor he knows that the biblical facts are clear that a fruit and vegetable diet is what God prescribes many times in the Bible. And as a scientist he knows the research is clear that fruit and vegetables are beneficial to combat lifestyle diseases. It’s a book that highlights issues that could be faced especially by diabetics, teenagers and the elderly.
THE BIBLICAL ASPECTS
“Going into the fast, you need knowledge,” says the doctor. Since this book is based on the Daniel Fast, the historical background of Daniel is touched on.
Daniel was a good man and sought to please God first in all he did. He ends up in exile where he goes on a fast to get in touch with God.
The book is very specific that following strict measures while fasting will be more beneficial. It encourages praying as much as possible.
The book says, “During the 21-day Daniel Fast, it is normal practice for most Christians to abstain from food while continuing with their normal daily activities.
They will watch soap operas and gossip as usual. When it’s five minutes before six in the evening, they lock themselves in the bedroom and pray for five minutes.
When their daily five-minute prayers are not answered, they get angry with God. The truth is, they were not standing in prayer during the fast.”
The book outlines how one should carry oneself during the fast.
One chapter mentions how eating is the original sin. This goes back to the story of Adam and Eve. Another deals with how fasting restores one’s spiritual and physical health.
If you grew up in a Christian family, maybe some of the topics touched on will hit home. Even if you are not Christian, some of the spiritual topics might just ring true.
The meat issue and why it is not included in the Daniel Fast is also discussed.
More often than not people who go into a fast do it for spiritual enlightenment. According to the Bible they have to give up their usual treats and dedicate more time to God.
If done right then God will answer their prayers. But it does not end there. There are further benefits to fasting.
THE SCIENTIFIC ASPECTS
“Hunger is very good. Because as you go about your day your cells are breaking down. The problem with the broken down body cells is that, when they are supposed to replicate, they instead produce cancer cells because they are defective,” says Maseko. After the breakdown of the cells, if one gets hungry, a process called autophagia kicks in.
As written in the book, “During fasting, when nutrients are deficient, the body literally eats itself. This is the body’s way of getting rid of old cell debris like membranes, mitochondria, protein, etc.
“Once the old cell debris is ingested, its parts are reused to build new cell material.
“Autophagy is a very efficient recycling process that renews the body’s machinery by bringing a balance between removal of old cell parts and formation of new ones.”
This is covered in the chapter, Hunger is The Best Cure. Not only this but being starved can slow down the body’s aging process, from brain function to wrinkling skin.
Scientifically, fasting has been shown to protect the body against many ailments, including strokes, heart attacks and even cancers.
The book also gives examples of the kinds of fruits and veggies that can be eaten and breaks down the benefits of them.
