This week, two articles in major Australian newspapers (The Daily Telegraph and The Courier Mail) described research that found that regular fasting by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormons") reduces their risk of serious disease.
"Regularly going a day without food may reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes," said The Daily Telegraph. "Doctors studied the health and habits of more than 200 residents in the US state of Utah, where many Mormons fast at least a day a month."
Brisbane's Courier Mail added that, "X-ray scans revealed narrowing of the arteries in around 75 per cent of those who did not fast. In contrast, clogged arteries affected 63 per cent of those who said they often skipped meals."
"Fasting also appeared to more than halve the odds of diabetes, the American College of Cardiology conference heard. To ensure the results were not only due to those who fast having healthier lifestyles, the researchers carried out a second study on people who were not regular fasters. They did not eat or drink anything other than water for 24 hours and underwent a series of health checks. They were also monitored while eating normally.
"The tests revealed fasting to trigger a significant surge in human growth hormone, a hormone credited with speeding up metabolism and burning off fat. Levels rose 13-fold in women and 20-fold in men. Shedding fat is known to cut the risk of diabetes and related heart problems."
The articles in both papers reported that doctors are not prescribing fasting to treat health conditions.
Johnny Leota, called to be the mission president for the Samoan Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from this July, said, "Fasting, as opposed to starving, has been a great blessing in my life. I was told the difference between fasting and starving was (having a) prayer and purpose.
"I love my food," said Mr Leota. "When I fast I notice I rest better, my mind is clearer, and I find I am happier and even more sensitive to the needs of others. I feel closer to God. This however has not happened over night. It has taken a many years to get to this stage.
"As a youth I found it difficult to fast with my parents. I remember counting the minutes and wishing the hand on the clock would move faster. The days seemed longer, my mind and taste buds just wouldn't stop thinking about food. I would even be planning what I would be eating and how much as soon as we closed our fast with prayer! I now have a strong conviction about receiving guidance from God when I include fasting with my prayers."
The Church's Newsroom, explains that Latter-day Saints usually fast on the first Sunday of the month. Church members "abstain from food and drink for two meals and donate the equivalent cost, or more, to the Church to assist the poor and needy. The money donated is called a fast offering.
Johnny Leota has learned compassion by giving his fast offering. "I have found by showing the Lord that I am willing not to eat, and give the amount of money I would have spent for those meals - and sometimes a little bit more - for those who are needy, I learn to be unselfish. I feel so happy knowing that I can help someone else."