DETROIT—A Feb. 20 workshop focused on “Fasting/How to Eat to Live/Health,” where the two books on “How to Eat to Live,” by the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the concerning problem of cancer was a focal point and were the foundation for the information presented.
Panelists included Sister Dr. Darnita Muhammad, Sister Dr. Safiyya Shabazz, and Brother Dr. Jabril Muhammad. Student Minister Amin Muhammad of Mosque Maryam in Chicago, moderated the workshop.
Sis. Dr. Darnita is an Alabama-based doctor of family medicine and an osteopathic physician with over 30 years of experience. Currently, she offers telehealth consultations for mostly chronic illnesses, particularly cancer.
Her presentation, “The Impact of Fasting on Cancer and Other Illnesses,” illustrated how fasting can lower the chances of developing cancer. “If we become a fasting community, we can eliminate for certain, many illnesses.
If we have cancer or something else, you have to use different methods. We’re talking about fasting, changing the diet; however, you have to change your thinking sometimes,” stated Sis. Dr. Darnita.
Sis. Dr. Safiyya Shabazz, presented on “Fasting: The Sacred Science of Healing.” She stated, “It’s been shown that you can totally regenerate the stem cells of your immune system so that you get a greater amount of vitality, less risk of disease, including terrible diseases like cancer.
There are a number of things happening in our bodies when we fast, signaling pathways, activated in the body that can mediate or moderate cancer cells and cancer growth.”
She added, “When you fast, you reduce inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a source of disease and a source of cancer.”
Bro. Dr. Jabril Muhammad, a human molecular geneticist and assistant professor at Morehouse School of Medicine, spoke about “Vitamin D Deficiency: The Crisis in Our Community.”
He delved into the connection between Vitamin D deficiency and cancer, particularly among Black people. Living in the northern latitude such as North America with less exposure to sunlight-derived ultraviolet rays, can increase prostate, colon, and breast cancer mortality, he said.
“At least 76-93 percent of Black men and women in northern United States cities are Vitamin D deficient compared to any racial group,” stated Bro. Dr. Jabril. “Vitamin D deficiency is associated with dysregulation in the brain, blood pressure, bone issues, muscle problems, and aggressive cancer.”
Every presenter was engaging while sharing pertinent information and staying directly in accordance with the principles of “How to Eat to Live.” The audience was captivated, so much so that they did not want the workshop to conclude.
Bro. Wendell Muhammad from Atlanta, stated, “This workshop on fasting and ‘How to Eat to Live’ was very informative. A program from the Nation of Islam based on ‘How to Eat to Live’ for the community is a practical approach. Our people are dying from chronic diseases, and we have the answer in ‘How to Eat to Live.’”
Sis. Shayla Muhammad from Boston, stated, “This workshop was absolutely amazing and should be shared in every mosque. ‘How to Eat to Live’ is a prescription and we must educate ourselves and our people.”