Evaluation of the Effects of Islamic Fasting on the Biochemical Markers of Health

Authors

1 Faculty of nursing and midwifery, Islamic azad university, Bojnurd, Iran.

2 Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of medical Sciences, Mashhad; and Department of Public Health, North Khorasan University of medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.

3 Faculty of medicine, North Khorasan University of medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.

4 Department of Public Health, North Khorasan University of medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.

5 Management of treatment, North Khorasan University of medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar, during which Muslims are obliged to perform specific rites and rituals. Fasting is considered the most important ritual during the holy month of Ramadan. Fasting variably influences the health of individuals, which could be attributed to the changes in the concentrations of certain biochemical markers. This study aimed to elucidate the health effects of fasting through evaluating the impact of this Islamic duty on blood biochemistry. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 40 male volunteers employed at North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.Data collection and phlebotomy were performed before fast breaking(Iftar) on the first and last day of Ramadan. Fasting duration was 11 hours per day. Serum biochemical factors, including blood glucose, uric acid, albumin, low-density lipoprotein(LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol and triglyceride(TG), were measured in all the participants at the beginning and end of Ramadan. Data analysis was performed in SPSS using paired-samples T-test to compare the mean variables. Results: Mean age of the participants in this study was 39.11±8.602 years. After one month of fasting, a significant reduction was observed in the mean levels of blood glucose, uric acid, TG, and LDL(P<0.05). Moreover, mean levels of total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol had an insignificant decrease, while mean albumin level significantly increased at the end of Ramadan(P=0.000). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, Ramadan fasting could lower blood cholesterol and uric acid, while enhancing the level of albumin in healthy adults.

Keywords

References

  1. Badalzadeh R, Yousefi B. Effects of the Islamic fasting on the health. Islam And Health Journal. 2014;1(2):27-31.
  2. Tayebi SM, Hanachi P, Niaki AG, Ali PN, Ghaziani FG-a. Ramadan fasting and weight-lifting training on vascular volumes and hematological profiles in young male weight-lifters. Global Journal of Health Science. 2010;2(1):160.
  3. 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;47(5):409.
  4. HEJAZI K, ATTARZADE HSR, NIKROO H. The Effects of Ramadan Fasting and Physical Activity on Blood Hematological-Biochemical Parameters. 2013.
  5. Hosseini SV, Torabijahromi M, Mosallaei M, Sabet B, Pourahmad S. The effect of season and Ramadan fasting on the onset of acute cholecystitis. Saudi medical journal. 2006;27(4):503-6.
  6. Khaled BM, Bendahmane M, Belbraouet S. Ramadan fasting induces modifications of certain serum components in obese women with type 2 diabetes. Saudi medical journal. 2006;27(1):23-6.
  7. Indral M, Satumanl L, Widodo E, Tinny E, Endang S, Soemardini S. Study of some biochemical parameters in young men as effected by Ramadan Fasting. J Kedokteran Yarsi. 2007;15(1):12-6.
  8. Haghdoost A, Poorranjbar M. The interaction between physical activity and fasting on the serum lipid profile during Ramadan. Singapore Med J. 2009;50(9):897-901.
  9. Afghari N, Rabiei S, Poornaghshband P, Rastmanesh R. Short-term and mid-term effects of fasting and downset meal pattern on dietary intakes, anthropometric parameters, and glycemic and lipid profile in fasting women. Journal of Fasa University of Medical Sciences. 2012;2(3):199-209.
  10. Unalacak M, Kara IH, Baltaci D, Erdem O, Bucaktepe PG. Effects of Ramadan fasting on biochemical and hematological parameters and cytokines in healthy and obese individuals. Metabolic syndrome and related disorders. 2011 Apr;9(2):157-61. PubMed PMID: 21235381. Epub 2011/01/18. eng.
  11. 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. PubMed PMID: 24810091. Pubmed Central PMCID: PMC4014507. Epub 2014/05/09. eng.
  12. Radhakishun N, Blokhuis C, van Vliet M, von Rosenstiel I, Weijer O, Heymans M, et al. Intermittent fasting during Ramadan causes a transient increase in total, LDL, and HDL cholesterols and hs-CRP in ethnic obese adolescents. European journal of pediatrics. 2014 Aug;173(8):1103-6. PubMed PMID: 24522324. Epub 2014/02/14. eng.
  13. Akanji AO, Mojiminiyi OA, Abdella N. Beneficial changes in serum apo A-1 and its ratio to apo B and HDL in stable hyperlipidaemic subjects after Ramadan fasting in Kuwait. European journal of clinical nutrition. 2000 Jun;54(6):508-13. PubMed PMID: 10878654. Epub 2000/07/06. eng.
  14. A. Catharine Ross, Benjamin Caballero, Robert J. Cousins, Katherine L. Tucker, Thomas R. Ziegler. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. Eleventh Edition ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2014. 662-3 p.
  15. Amirkalali sijavandi Ms, Shahsavan F, Asgarizadeh F, Namaty M, Heravian J, Mahmodi Z, et al. Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Blood Pressure and Lipid Profiles. Journal of Fasting and Health. 2015;3(3):126-31.
  16. Attarzadeh Hosseini SR, Motahari Rad M, Hejazi K. The effects of Ramadan fasting and physical activity on body composition and hematological biochemical parameters. Journal of Fasting and Health. 2014;2(3):96-103.
  17. Pirsaheb S, Pasdar Y, Navabi SJ, Rezaei M, Darbandi M, Niazi P. Fasting consequences during Ramadan on lipid profile and dietary patterns. Journal of Fasting and Health. 2013;1(1):6-12.
  18. Habib G, Badarny S, Khreish M, Khazin F, Shehadeh V, Hakim G, et al. The impact of Ramadan fast on patients with gout. Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases. 2014 Oct;20(7):353-6. PubMed PMID: 25275760. Epub 2014/10/03. eng.
  19. Toda M, Morimoto K. [Effects of Ramadan fasting on the health of Muslims]. Nihon eiseigaku zasshi Japanese journal of hygiene. 2000 Jan;54(4):592-6. PubMed PMID: 10714147. Epub 2000/03/14. jpn.
  20. Hendawy A. Effect of fasting on renal physiology. Journal of Fasting and Health. 2014;2(3):110-2.
Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health
Volume 4, Issue 2
June 2016
Pages 88-91

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 10 July 2016
  • Revise Date: 15 July 2016
  • Accept Date: 12 July 2016

Share

How to cite

Statistics