Reaction to the Article
The article “Body Ritual Among the Nacirema” by Miner examines the cultural rituals and body practices of a tribe known as the Nacirema. These rituals include excessive body grooming, including teeth-cleaning and hair-combing, and the use of medicinal preparations that are applied to the entire body. Miner suggests that these rituals may be a response to feelings of insecurity and anxiety among tribe members (Miner, 1956). He argues that the extreme body-care practices may be an attempt to create an idealized self-image or to mask feelings of inferiority. Miner’s article provides a provocative look at how cultural norms can shape individual behavior. The article paints a picture of Americans as being excessively preoccupied with their physical appearance and going to great lengths to maintain their looks. This is reflected in the way they approach health and wellness, with many people investing in expensive and often unnecessary health treatments and procedures.
The article makes some very interesting points about the way Americans view their bodies and the way they conduct bodily rituals. Overall, I think it is an interesting perspective on our cultural norms, and it is fascinating to see how other cultures view our behaviors. That said, I do have some issues with the article. First of all, I do not think it paints an accurate picture of American culture. It seems to suggest that we are all mindless drones who blindly follow cultural norms without thinking for ourselves, and I do not believe that is true. Secondly, I think the author’s attitude toward American culture is condescending and insulting. He clearly has a negative opinion of our values and beliefs, and I think that was unfair.
Description of the Fasting Practice
From an outside observer, fasting in my culture is seen as an act of self-control and discipline. It is a practice that is often done in order to cleanse the body and mind and increase spiritual awareness. Fasting can be seen as a way to devote oneself completely to God or a higher power, and it can also be seen as a way to humble oneself before others. It is considered an important part of many religious traditions, and it is often used as a means of seeking repentance or forgiveness. Fasting can similarly be seen as a way to strengthen one’s resolve and resist temptation.
Fasting is an important and valued part of my religious traditions. In Christianity, we often use fasting as a way to humble ourselves before God and to grow closer to Him. Fasting can be a good way to discipline the body and mind and helps people focus on what is truly important in life (Bass, 2019). It is equally a time of prayer and spiritual growth. In many cases, we use fasting as a form of repentance. In my religion, there are three main types of fasting. First is fasting from food; it is the most common type of fasting and usually refers to abstaining from all food except water for a set period of time. Second is fasting from certain foods; this type of fasting usually means abstaining from certain types of foods, such as meat or dairy products, for a set period of time. Third is fasting from evil thoughts and deeds; it is the most spiritual type of fasting and refers to abstaining from sinful thoughts and activities for a set period of time.
In the United States, we often see fasting as a way to lose weight or improve our health. But in other countries, fasting may have different purposes, such as honoring the dead or seeking guidance from God. In the US, fasting is believed to help in weight loss in several ways. First, it aids in reducing overall calorie intake. Second, it breaks the cycle of insulin resistance that is common in people who are overweight or obese. Third, it promotes autophagy, a process by which the body breaks down and recycles damaged cells and proteins. Each of these mechanisms can assist in promoting weight loss and improving overall health. For example, reducing calorie intake can lead to a reduction in body weight over time; breaking the cycle of insulin resistance can help to normalize blood sugar levels and promote weight loss.
Historical Development of Fasting Practice
The practice of fasting has been around for centuries, and its purpose has changed throughout history and across different cultures. One of the earliest references to fasting can be found in the Bible. Where it is mentioned that Moses went without food or water for forty days and nights while he was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God (Exodus 34:28). In the Islamic faith, Ramadan is a month-long religious observance during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset (Almansour et al., 2017). However, medics also conducted their research, then discovered that it could also be practiced for health benefits such as weight loss and decreased inflammation.
Today many people practice it due to health rather than religious reasons. This is because fasting has been found to reduce inflammation by decreasing the production of inflammatory cytokines (Cohen et al., 2017). Cytokines are small proteins that are released by cells in response to infection or injury, and they play a major role in the inflammatory response. Fasting reduces the level of circulating cytokines, which decreases inflammation throughout the body. It also protects against age-related inflammation, which is thought to be a major contributor to aging and diseases like cancer.
Evaluation of Changes
The historical change of fasting from spiritual to health advantages has been beneficial to the US. In the interview conducted at TMJ4 television (based in the US), Cheri Stoka mentioned that intermittent fasting aids in improving insulin sensitivity, speeding up metabolism, and improving gut health (TMJ4 News, 00:02:45). Improved insulin sensitivity can have a number of health benefits, including weight loss, reduced inflammation, improved cardiovascular health, and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes (Wimalawansa, 2018). Intermittent fasting has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in the United States (Grajower & Horne, 2019). This is likely due to the fact that intermittent fasting reduces overall calorie intake, which leads to weight loss and a reduction in inflammation. Improved cardiovascular health and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes are other potential benefits of improved insulin sensitivity.
There are a few different ways that intermittent fasting can improve gut health. One way is by reducing the number of bad bacteria in the gut. Intermittent fasting has been shown to increase levels of good bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, while also reducing levels of bad bacteria, such as Clostridium and Enterococcus (Jamar et al., 2017). Additionally, intermittent fasting helps to reduce inflammation in the gut, which can lead to better absorption of nutrients.
References
Almansour, H. A., Chaar, B., & Saini, B. (2017). Fasting, diabetes, and optimizing health outcomes for Ramadan observers: a literature review. Diabetes Therapy, 8(2), 227-249. Web.
Bass, D. C. (Ed.). (2019). Practicing our faith: A way of life for a searching people. Fortress Press.
Cohen, S., Danzaki, K., & MacIver, N. J. (2017). Nutritional effects on T‐cell immunometabolism. European Journal of Immunology, 47(2), 225-235. Web.
Grajower, M. M., & Horne, B. D. (2019). Clinical management of intermittent fasting in patients with diabetes mellitus. Nutrients, 11(4), 873. Web.
Jamar, G., Estadella, D., & Pisani, L. P. (2017). Contribution of anthocyanin‐rich foods in obesity control through gut microbiota interactions. BioFactors, 43(4), 507-516. Web.
Miner, H. (1956). Body ritual among the Nacirema. American Anthropologist. Web.
TMJ4 News. (2018). YouTube. Web.
Wimalawansa, S. J. (2018). Associations of vitamin D with insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 175, 177-189. Web.