Effect of Islamic Fasting on Glucose, Lipid Profiles and Body Mass Index, Adiponectin and Leptin in Obese Individuals

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd. Iran.

2 Department of Nutrition, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences

3 Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd. Iran.

4 4. Department of Nutrition, Health School, Medical University of Zahedan, Zahedan. Iran.

5 5. Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd. Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Fasting is an Islamic practice, which causes various metabolic changes in fasting individuals. Numerous studies have examined different aspects of fasting, but its effect on individuals with different characteristics such as obesity has remained unknown. The impact of fasting on adipose tissue hormones such as leptin and adiponectin is still controversial. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of Islamic fasting on glucose and lipid profiles, as well as plasma adiponectin and leptin concentrations in fasting obese and normal-weight individuals. Methods: Obese and normal-weight individuals from Yazd, Iran, who fasted during Ramadan were divided into two groups (n=24). Blood samples were taken from all the participants after 10-12 fasting hours two days before and one day after Ramadan to assess glucose and lipid profiles and plasma adiponectin and leptin concentrations. The individuals who were not able to fast for at least 21 days due to inflammatory or infectious diseases and those who received oral medications or supplements during Ramadan were excluded from the study. Results: Variations in weight, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-c were significant in the obese group (P<0.05). There were no significant changes in leptin and adiponectin levels in obese cases. Variables such as weight, BMI, and triglycerides and leptin levels decreased significantly, while adiponectin level did not change significantly in normal-weight cases. Conclusion: Islamic fasting can prevent cardiovascular diseases in obese and normal-weight individuals through reducing weight, BMI, and some blood lipids, elevating HDL-c level, and changing the concentration of some adipokines.

Keywords


  1. Faris MA, Kacimi S, Al-Kurd RA, Fararjeh MA, Bustanji YK, Mohammad MK, et al. Intermittent fasting during Ramadan attenuates proinflammatory cytokines and immune cells in healthy subjects. Nutrition research (New York, NY). 2012 Dec;32(12):947-55.
  2. Hao G, Li W, Guo R, Yang JG, Wang Y, Tian Y, et al. Serum total adiponectin level and the risk of cardiovascular disease in general population: A meta-analysis of 17 prospective studies. Atherosclerosis. 2013 May;228(1):29-35.
  3. Khafaji HA, Bener A, Osman M, Al Merri A, Al Suwaidi J. The impact of diurnal fasting during Ramadan on the lipid profile, hs-CRP, and serum leptin in stable cardiac patients. Vascular health and risk management. 2012;8:7-14.
  4. Kul S, Savas E, Ozturk ZA, Karadag G. Does Ramadan Fasting Alter Body Weight and Blood Lipids and Fasting Blood Glucose in a Healthy Population? A Meta-analysis. J Relig Health. 2013 Feb 20.
  5. Aksungar FB, Topkaya AE, Akyildiz M. Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and biochemical parameters during prolonged intermittent fasting. Annals of nutrition & metabolism. 2007;51(1):88-95.
  6. Kassab S AGT. Serum leptin and insulin levels during chronic diurnal fasting. Asia Pacific J Clin Nutr. 2003;12(4):483-7.
  7. Goodarzi M, Baba Ahmadi Rezaee H, Kadkhodaee M, Haddadi NeZhad Sh. Serum levels of adiponectin in women with type 2 diabetes and its relation to glycated hemoglobin. Journal of Hamedan University of Medical Sciences.2007;11:14.
  8. Azevedo FR, Ikeoka D, Caramelli B. Effects of intermittent fasting on metabolism in men. Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2013 Mar-Apr;59(2):167-73.
  9. Shils ME, Shike M. Modern nutrition in health and disease. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006.
  10. Larijani B, Ghodsi M. Leptin hormone newfound adipose tissue and its effect on obesity. Iranian Journal of Diabetes and Lipid. 2005; 10 ;1-4.
  11. Schneider. Low plasma adiponectin levels are associated with increased hepatic lipase activity in vivo. Diabete Care. 2005;28:2181-6.
  12. Shinmura K, Tamaki K, Saito K, Nakano Y, Tobe T, Bolli R. Cardioprotective effects of short-term caloric restriction are mediated by adiponectin via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase. Circulation. 2007 Dec 11;116(24):2809-17.
  13. Sattar N, Wannamethee G, Sarwar N, Tchernova J, Cherry L, Wallace AM, et al. Adiponectin and coronary heart disease: a prospective study and meta-analysis. Circulation. 2006 Aug 15;114(7):623-9.
  14. Shehab A, Abdulle A, El Issa A, Al Suwaidi J, Nagelkerke N. Favorable changes in lipid profile: the effects of fasting after Ramadan. PloS one. 2012;7(10):e47615.
  15. Annesi JJ. Supported Exercise Improves Controlled Eating and Weight through Its Effects on Psychosocial Factors: Extending a Systematic Research Program Toward Treatment Development. perm J. 2012;16(1):7-18.
  16. Al Hourani HM AM, Akel S, Hijawi S, Awawdeh S. Effects of Ramadan fasting on some hematological and biochemical parameters. Jordan J BiolSci. 2009;2:103–8.
  17. el Ati J, Beji C, Danguir J. Increased fat oxidation during Ramadan fasting in healthy women: an adaptative mechanism for body-weight maintenance. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 1995 Aug;62(2):302-7.
  18. Sulimani RA LM, Al-Attas O. The effect of ramadan fasting on diabetes control in type II diabetic patients. Nutrition Res. 1991;11(2–3):261-4.
  19. Rashed AH. The fast of Ramadan. BMJ. 1992;304(6826):521-2.
  20. Kroeger CM, Klempel MC, Bhutani S, Trepanowski JF, Tangney CC, Varady KA. Improvement in coronary heart disease risk factors during an intermittent fasting/calorie restriction regimen: Relationship to adipokine modulations. Nutrition & metabolism. 2012;9(1):98.
  21. Sadiya A, Hisham Hussain Siddieg,Irish Joy Babas,Martin Carlsson. Effect of Ramadan fasting on metabolic markers,body composition, and dietary intake in Emiratisof Ajman (UAE) with metabolic syndrome. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy. 2011;4:409-16.
  22. Ziaee V, Razaei M, Ahmadinejad Z, Shaikh H, Yousefi R, Yarmohammadi L, et al. The changes of metabolic profile and weight during Ramadan fasting. Singapore medical journal. 2006 May;47(5):409-14.
  23. Grundy SM. Composition of monounsaturated fatty acids and carbohydrate for lowering plasma cholesterol. N Engl J Med. 1986;314:745-8.
  24. Poynten AM, Markovic TP, Maclean EL, Furler SM, Freund J, Chisholm DJ, et al. Fat oxidation, body composition and insulin sensitivity in diabetic and normoglycaemic obese adults 5 years after weight loss. International journal of obesity and related metabolic disorders : journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity. 2003 Oct;27(10):1212-8.
  25. Onat A. Lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins among Turks, and impact on coronary heart disease. Anadolu Kardiyol Derg. 2004;4:236-45.
  26. Mansi KM. Study the effects of Ramadan fasting on serum glucose and lipid profile among healthy Jordanian students. Am J App Sci. 2007;4:565-9.
  27. Trabelsi KH eAK, F. Trepanowski J. Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Biochemical and Anthropometric Parameters in Physically Active Men. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine. 2011;2:134-44.
  28. Saleh SA, El-Kemery TA, Farrag KA, Badawy MR, Sarkis NN, Soliman FS, et al. Ramadan fasting: relation to atherogenic risk among obese Muslims. The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association. 2004;79(5-6):461-83.
  29. Kamal M MA. Impact of Ramadan Fasting on Metabolism and on Serum levels of Some Hormones among Healthy Jordanian Studenst. Journal of Medical Sciences. 2007;7(5):755-61.
  30. Bogdan A BBTY. Response of circulating leptin to Ramadan daytime fasting: a circadian study. BJN. 2005;93:515-8.
  31. Wisse BE CL, Marliss EB, Morais JA,, Tenenbaum R GR. Effect of prolonged moderate and severe energy restriction and refeeding on plasma leptin concentration in obese women. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 1999;70:321-30.
  32. Bouhlel E, Denguezli M, Zaouali M, Tabka Z, Shephard RJ. Ramadan fastings effect on plasma leptin, adiponectin concentrations, and body composition in trained young men. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2008 Dec;18(6):617-27.
  33. Ajabnoor GM, Bahijri S, Borai A, Abdulkhaliq AA, Al-Aama JY, Chrousos GP. Health Impact of Fasting in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan: Association with Disturbed Circadian Rhythm and Metabolic and Sleeping Patterns. PloS one. 2014;9(5):e96500.