@article { author = {Karimi, Mohammad Taghi}, title = {Evaluation of the Association between Physical Health and Religion: A Literature Review}, journal = {Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {22-30}, year = {2014}, publisher = {Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS)}, issn = {2821-2746}, eissn = {2821-2746}, doi = {10.22038/jfh.2014.2313}, abstract = {Physical health is influenced by various factors including religion. There are many questions regarding the impact of religious activities on physical health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find the correlation between physical health and religion. Various databases including PubMed, Ovid, and Medline were investigated. Considering the inclusion criteria, 50 studies were found using the keyword-based information retrieval; though, only 12 papers were approved for the final analysis. Based on the literature review, there is no consensus regarding the impacts of religious practices on physical health; it is not clear whether religious activities result in better physical health and less severe musculoskeletal disorders, or are inversely related to physical health. There are various limitations observed in the available studies; therefore, reaching a firm conclusion might be no easy task. It is recommended that cross-sectional studies be carried out in various regions to find the association between religion and physical health}, keywords = {Physical health,Religion,Prayer}, url = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2313.html}, eprint = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2313_4d7d13f3b94e058a26e227ec3835e09b.pdf} } @article { author = {Mazidi, Mohsen and Rezaie, Peyman and Nematy, Mohsen}, title = {The effects of Ramadan Fasting on Growth Parameters: A Narrative Review}, journal = {Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {41-45}, year = {2014}, publisher = {Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS)}, issn = {2821-2746}, eissn = {2821-2746}, doi = {10.22038/jfh.2014.2435}, abstract = {Ramadan fasting is prescribed by Quran for every able‐bodied, adult Muslim and is considered an obligatory act of worship. During Ramadan, the majority of Muslims eat two major meals- one before dawn (Sahar) and another immediately after the sunset (Iftar). Islamic fasting, due to its particular nature, may cause metabolic and hormonal changes in the body, which are different from those in regular fasting. To the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive study has been conducted on changes in growth parameters during fasting periods. Therefore, the aim of this review, which is based on scientific literature review, was to describe the effects of fasting on growth parameters in humans.}, keywords = {Ramadan fasting,Growth parameter,muslim}, url = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2435.html}, eprint = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2435_7ed53020764485d6266e952fe71d5f77.pdf} } @article { author = {Chtourou, Hamdi and Hammouda, Omar and Aloui, Asma and Souissi, Nizar and Chaouachi, Anis}, title = {The Optimal Time of Day for Training during Ramadan: A Review Study}, journal = {Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {46-52}, year = {2014}, publisher = {Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS)}, issn = {2821-2746}, eissn = {2821-2746}, doi = {10.22038/jfh.2014.2578}, abstract = {Literature concerning the effects of Ramadan fasting on sports performance presents conflicting results. In this context, some studies reported a significant impairment of sports performance during the month of Ramadan. However, other studies suggested that Ramadan fasting has no significant effect on physical performance.  The discrepancies between the studies could be explained by time-of-day variations in testing. In this regard, recent studies reported that Ramadan negatively affects the afternoon sports performance; however, the morning and the evening (after breaking the fast) performances were not affected by fasting. This suggests that the optimal time of day for training during Ramadan is the morning or the evening. Therefore, coaches should schedule the training sessions in the morning or evening during the month of Ramadan. However, further studies should investigate the effect of training at a specific time of day on sports performance during Ramadan.}, keywords = {Fast,Islam,Time-of-day,Training,Sports}, url = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2578.html}, eprint = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2578_4bf1bb68b13df90461a82966066f4a1c.pdf} } @article { author = {Abbasi Joshaghan, Mostafa and Vahidian Kamyad, Ali and Razavi, Amir Reza and Norouzy, Abdolreza}, title = {Evaluation of the Nutritional Effects of Fasting on Cardiovascular Diseases, Using Fuzzy Data Mining}, journal = {Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {14-21}, year = {2014}, publisher = {Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS)}, issn = {2821-2746}, eissn = {2821-2746}, doi = {10.22038/jfh.2014.2255}, abstract = {Introduction: Advances in information technology and data collection methods have enabled high-speed collection and storage of huge amounts of data. Data mining can be used to derive laws from large data volumes and their characteristics. Similarly, fuzzy logic by facilitating the understanding of events is considered a suitable complement to scientific data mining. Methods: The present study used clustering to identify the independent characteristics of data. Related fuzzy sets, linguistic variables, and data classifications were defined, and the index was introduced based on the characteristics extracted from useful results. By considering the disease risk factors, the results were analyzed. Results: Two factors contributing to the health improvement or deterioration were defined: ‘age’ and ‘the appropriateness or inappropriateness between insulin level and blood sugar’. In addition, according to the results, fasting had a positive effect on fatty substances of the blood (cholesterol and triglycerides). Conclusion: The results can help us determine whether or not an individual with a cardiovascular disease should fast in the month of Ramadan. However, due to variations in some features such as blood pressure throughout the day, there are uncertainties in some input data; therefore, the results could be far from reality. If it is possible to generate fuzzy data, then we can obtain more accurate results.}, keywords = {Fuzzy set theory,Clustering,classification,Cardiovascular Disease,fasting}, url = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2255.html}, eprint = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2255_cf2bb49495e006c687eafa31869afeda.pdf} } @article { author = {Alinezhad Namaghi, Maryam and Hasanzadeh Dalooe, Mahdi and Khoshnasab, Amir Hosein and Nematy, Mohsen and Khoshnasab, Adeleh and Farrokhi, Javad and Norouzy, Abdolreza}, title = {Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients}, journal = {Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {1-6}, year = {2014}, publisher = {Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS)}, issn = {2821-2746}, eissn = {2821-2746}, doi = {10.22038/jfh.2014.2250}, abstract = {Introduction: Previous studies have indicated that Ramadan fasting has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors, specially blood pressure and heart rate. In the present study, the effect of Ramadan fasting on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate has been investigated. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on two groups of individuals. Six patients under hypertension treatment were allocated to the case group and 12 healthy individuals were selected as the control group. Twenty-four-hour blood pressure monitoring was carried out during four periods: prior to Ramadan, during the first ten days and the last ten days of Ramadan, and one month after it. All patients continued their medication, which was administered twice per day. Twenty-four-hour mean blood pressure, weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference were compared among the groups. Results: In the case group, there was a significant reduction in subjects’ weight during the third period of the experiment; also, a significant improvement was observed in the heart rate during the second and third periods in the case group (P<0.05, t-test). Conclusion: This study indicated a significant improvement in the subjects’ heart rate over second and third periods of measurements; also, no high-risk variations in blood pressure or heart rate were observed among the subjects.}, keywords = {Ramadan fasting,Ambulatory blood pressure,hypertensive patients}, url = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2250.html}, eprint = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2250_d9c131feb390b397ac6c85623974724a.pdf} } @article { author = {Salahuddin, Mohammad and Javed, Masood-ul-Hassan}, title = {Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Some Physiological and Biochemical Parameters in Healthy and Hypertensive Subjects in Aurangabad District of Maharashtra, India}, journal = {Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {7-13}, year = {2014}, publisher = {Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS)}, issn = {2821-2746}, eissn = {2821-2746}, doi = {10.22038/jfh.2014.2251}, abstract = {Throughout the world, millions of Muslims fast daily during the month of Ramadan from sunrise (Sahar) until sunset (Iftar). Considering the impacts of environment on physiological functions, we performed this study in order to examine the effects of Ramadan fasting on some blood parameters of healthy volunteers and hypertensive patients. According to the results, there were no significant changes in the weight, heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), serum total cholesterol and packed cell volume (PCV) of volunteers before and after fasting (P<0.05). However, considering hypertensive patients, blood urea significantly increased, while blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic pressures) significantly decreased during the fasting period (P>0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that hypertensive patients, while continuing their previous medications, can safely fast during the month of Ramadan.}, keywords = {Ramadan fasting,body Weight,blood pressure,Heart rate,Packed cell volume,Urea,Cholesterol}, url = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2251.html}, eprint = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2251_5fba3f4e1333f401460d96cb8da45fc0.pdf} } @article { author = {Siadat, Zahra and Rastin, Maryam and Tabasi, Nafise and Rezaee, Abdolrahim and Mahmoudi, Mahmoud}, title = {Evaluation of the Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Lymphocyte Subpopulations in a Two‐year Follow‐up}, journal = {Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {31-36}, year = {2014}, publisher = {Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS)}, issn = {2821-2746}, eissn = {2821-2746}, doi = {10.22038/jfh.2014.2423}, abstract = {Today, the intractions of the immune system of the immune system, nutrition, and nervous system are one of the main research areas of interest in immunology and disease treatment. Due to changes in the mood, behavior, and diet of an individual during fasting period, the body's internal homeostasis is affected. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Ramadan fasting on lymphocyte subgroups, which are the main specific immune cells in the body. For this purpose, in years 1999 and 2000, thirty‐eight healthy Muslims (9 females and 29 males), within the age range of 17 to 51 years (mean age=35.4 years), were assessed before the start and one day before the end of Ramadan. The pre‐Lymphocytic subpopulations analysis was conducted using flow cytometery. The results showed that the percentage of total lymphocytes was 25.82% and 26.23% in the pre‐ and late‐Ramadan periods, respectively; the observed difference was insignificant. However, the absolute lymphocyte counts were 2.3×103 and 2.1×103 mm3 before and late Ramadan, respectively, and the difference was considered significant (P‐value=0.06). The percentage of CD3+ cells (T cells) was 70.12% before Ramadan and 70.25% late Ramadan, and the absolute lymphocyte counts were 1.6×103 and 1.5×103 mm3, respectively; therefore, the differences were not significant. Regarding the subgroups of CD4+cells (TH), the percentage ratios of the cells were 53.46% and 52.8% in the pre‐ and late Ramadan periods, and the absolute counts were 0.087×103 and 0.081×103 mm3, respectively; however, the differences were not significant in this cell subgroup. The percentage of CD8+ (TC) cells was 37.7% before Ramadan and 37.8% late Ramadan, and the absolute counts were 0.6×103 and 0.54×103 mm3 in the pre‐ and late‐Ramadan periods, respectively; therefore, the differences were considered insignificant. In addition, the percentage ratios of Blymphocytes cells were 14.56 % and 14.74% in the pre‐ and late‐Ramadan periods, and the absolute count changed from 0.35×103 to 0.3×103 mm3. According to the results, the differences were not significant, therefore, it seems Ramadan fasting does not affect these cells. Moreover, the percentage of activated T cells or TDR+, which are involved in specific immune responses, has not been affected by fasting. In fact, the percentage ratios were reported as 11.14% and 10.54% in the pre‐ and late‐Ramadan periods, and the absolute count changed from 0.14×103 to 0.11×103 mm3; the differences were not considered significant. Finally, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ cells or TH/TC changed from 1.48% before Ramadan to 1.5% late this month; however, this difference was insignificant. Thus, the overall results indicate that Ramadan fasting during winter does not affect the lymphocyte count, percentage ratio, and the main lymphocyte subpopulations.}, keywords = {Lymphocyte subpopulations,Ramadan fasting,Immune system}, url = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2423.html}, eprint = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2423_870086a29b1f0446746a168e5428f68d.pdf} } @article { author = {Sarafraz, Nahid and Kafaei Atrian, Mahboobeh and Abbaszadeh, Fatemeh and Bagheri, Azam}, title = {Effect of Ramadan Fasting during Pregnancy on Neonatal Birth Weight}, journal = {Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {37-40}, year = {2014}, publisher = {Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS)}, issn = {2821-2746}, eissn = {2821-2746}, doi = {10.22038/jfh.2014.2424}, abstract = {Introduction: Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the 9th lunar month. The duration of fasting varies from 13 to 18 hrs per day. Fasting individuals abstain from drinking liquids and eating foods. Manypregnant women and gynecologists are concerned about the possible complicationsassociated with fasting and effects on fetal health. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Ramadan fasting on neonatalbirth weight. Methods: The current historical cohort study was performed on pregnant women attending maternity hospitals in Kashan in 2008. Twofasting and non-fasting groups were compared. Multiple pregnancies and gestational age less than 37 weeks were considered as the exclusion criteria. In fasting and non-fasting groups, age, parity, gestational age, body mass index (BMI), mother's occupation, prenatal care attendance and intended or unintended pregnancy were matched. For the statistical analysis of the data, covariance analysis and SPSS v16.0 were used. Results: In this study, 293 cases were evaluated among whom 31.7% did notfast. In the two groups, the mean age, gestational age, parity and weight gain during pregnancy were not significantly different. The mean birth weight was 3338 g (±498 g) and 3343 g (± 339 g) in fasting and non-fasting groups respectively. The results showed that the mean birth weight of the neonates in fasting and non-fasting groups was not significantly different (p=0. 931). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that there is no significant relationship between the neonatal birth weight and maternal fasting during pregnancy. Therefore we declare thatfasting for pregnant women who receive prenatal care has no effects on neonatal birth weight.}, keywords = {Ramadan fasting,pregnancy,Birth weight,low birth weight (LBW),Infants}, url = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2424.html}, eprint = {https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/article_2424_afa40b31b01e3616fa54e076d39beb9e.pdf} }