The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has cautioned Nigerians against excessive fasting for the sake of religion, otherwise, they could pay with the destruction of their kidneys.
The Director-General of the NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, gave this warning in Abuja during a briefing, according to The Nation.
Adeyeye urged Nigerians to fast with common sense or pay with their kidneys, while also warning against patronising hawkers and street-corner sellers of medicines.
She said: “Kidney failure, liver damage, others, I don’t know how many have died in Nigeria due to substandard medicines and unwholesome foods.
“However, we are a very religious country, Muslims and christians, we fast a lot, and it is part of the kidney problem. Because your body has to have homeostasis balance, meaning the water level in your body must be enough to make your organs to function. Some people will fast for 10, 20 days, without drinking a lot of water. The kidney is being punished.
“Now, if you put chemicals in it, it triples in an exponential manner, with damage to the kidneys. This is because the kidney does not have enough water to dilute and filter.
“I fast but I fast with common sense. We have to fast with common sense, if not, we will pay it with our kidneys. Also, do not buy medicines from hawkers and corner stores. But medicines from pharmacies.”
This warning comes timely, at a time in Nigeria where different churches at the beginning of the year call days of fast for their congregation, ranging from 14 days to as long as 100 days.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God have begun its 50 days fast from January 11; Living Faith Chapel began its 21 days fast from January 9; Celebration Church International also began its fast from January 10 amongst many others.