Francis E. Umesiri - Fasting for Life: Medical Proof Fasting Reduces Risk of Heart Disease, Cancer, and Diabetes

Fasting for Life wisely and convincingly shows us how disciplined fasting encourages physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. A PhD-trained chemist and a committed Christian, Dr. Umesiri draws upon his scientific training and his spiritual insight to help the lay reader see the holistic benefits of fasting. It is a fascinating and convicting book that gracefully calls us to discipline our appetite for food as we deepen our longing for God.

DR. CHARLES W. POLLARD

PRESIDENT, JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY

Most CHARISMA HOUSE BOOK GROUP products are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchase for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, and educational needs. For details, write Charisma House Book Group, 600 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, or telephone (407) 333-0600.

FASTING FOR LIFE by Francis E. Umesiri, PhD

Published by Siloam

Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group

600 Rinehart Road

Lake Mary, Florida 32746

www.charismahouse.com

This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwisewithout prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from The Message: The Bible in Contemporary English, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked AMP taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation (www.Lockman.org). Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., publishers. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MEV are taken from the Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright 2014 by Military Bible Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Copyright 2016 by Francis E. Umesiri, PhD

All rights reserved

Cover design by Vincent Pirozzi

Design Director: Justin Evans

Visit the authors website at www.francisumesiri.com.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Names: Umesiri, Francis E., author.

Title: Fasting for life / Francis E. Umesiri.

Description: First edition. | Lake Mary, Florida : Siloam, [2015]

Identifiers: LCCN 2015036225| ISBN 9781629986265

(paperback) | ISBN 9781629986272 (e-book)

Subjects: LCSH: Fasting--Therapeutic use. | Fasting--Spiritual aspects.

Classification: LCC RM226 .U44 2015 | DDC 613.2/5--dc23

LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015036225

This book contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is solely for informational and educational purposes and should not be regarded as a substitute for professional medical treatment. The nature of your bodys health condition is complex and unique. Therefore, you should consult a health professional before you begin any new exercise, nutrition, or supplementation program or if you have questions about your health. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book.

While the author has made every effort to provide accurate Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after publication.

Dedicated to my wife (Toyin), our

two sons (Isaac and David), and

the precious little one on the way.

You all mean the world to me.

CONTENTS

I AM THANKFUL FOR THE MANY AUTHORS WHOSE writings have helped to shape the thoughts and style reflected in my own writings. In particular I acknowledge the influence that Eugene Petersons writings have had on my Christian walkespecially with regards to my constant desire to embrace what God is doing right now in the place and time where I am located.

I am also thankful to Pastor and Mrs. Sam Adelusimo and the members of Chapel of Praise Northwest Arkansas for their total support and embrace of the message of fasting.

Many thanks to Jevon Bolden, former senior acquisitions editor at Charisma House. She took a chance on the book and spent a lot of time editing and correcting it.

T HE WORLD OFTEN WONDERS AT THE POSSIBILITY OF integration between science and faith. But history gives us enough examples of great thinkers and scientists whose works were directly or indirectly impacted by their faith. A few examples will suffice: from Newton (gravity); Pascal, who based a lot of his thinking on Pascals law (physics), Pascals theorem (math), and Pascals wager (theology) on the Scriptures; Carolus Linnaeus, who used the Scriptures as a basis to develop the nomenclature for naming plants and animals; to modern-day individuals such as Sir Robert Boyd, former president of Royal Astronomical Society, and Nobel laureate in chemistry Richard Smalley (1996 Nobel Prize Chemistry). Professor Umesiri, through this book, is taking a cue from such historical precedence to effectively show that science often supports and affirms the things that the Lord teaches the church.

Umesiri, the scientist, has taken on a little appreciated but deeply needed spiritual discipline of fasting. Jesus made it clear that fasting is the basis for victory over evil and that without it signs and wonders are impossible. Umesiri, the man of faith, has shown the world the practicality of fasting as a critical tool for optimizing bodily functions. In carrying out this great task, Professor Umesiri has caused, Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come (1 Tim. 4:8, NLT) to come alive.

I am particularly intrigued by his engagement with understanding of brain health and freedom from diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Do these diseases qualify as the modern-day manifestation of that which will not go away without fasting and prayers? Is there a correlation between consistent commitment to the spiritual discipline of fasting and a freedom from the diseases of Egypt? Although we are yet to scientifically prove a direct linkage between these diseases and the demoniac elements, Professor Umesiri has scientifically proven that we can be free from their impact through fasting.

I heartily recommend this book for its practicality, its deep spirituality, and its true integrational intentit is showing us again that science and God are not contraindicative!

JAMES O. FADEL

SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO GENERAL OVERSEER AND CHAIRMAN

THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD,

NORTH AMERICA

The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.

FAMED INVENTOR THOMAS EDISON

A S A MEDICINAL CHEMIST, COLLEGE PROFESSOR, and medical writer, I am not only passionate about the field of scientific discovery, but also about communicating key discoveries that will benefit the public. This is even truer when a particular scientific finding appears to validate centuries-old spiritual disciplines. I write this book, therefore, with a sense of responsibility: a responsibility to share with you interesting biomedical discoveries thatif you act on themcan literally reduce your risk of falling victim to various chronic diseases.