Abstract
BackgroundChronic feeding and sleep schedule disturbances are stressors that exert damaging effects on the organism. Practicing Muslims in Saudi Arabia go through strict Ramadan fasting from dawn till sunset for one month yearly. Modern era Ramadan practices in Saudi Arabia are associated with disturbed feeding and sleep patterns, namely abstaining from food and water and increasing daytime sleep, and staying awake and receiving food and water till dawn.HypothesisStrict Ramadan practices in Saudi Arabia may influence metabolism, sleep and circadian cortisol secretion.ProtocolYoung, male Ramadan practitioners were evaluated before and two weeks into the Ramadan. Blood samples were collected at 9.00 am and 9.00 pm for measurements of metabolic parameters and cortisol. Saliva was collected serially during the day for cortisol determinations.ResultsRamadan practitioners had relative metabolic stability or changes expected by the pattern of feeding. However, the cortisol circadian rhythm was abolished and circulating insulin levels and HOMA index were increased during this period.DiscussionThe flattening of the cortisol rhythm is typical of conditions associated with chronic stress or endogenous hypercortisolism and associated with insulin resistance.ConclusionsModern Ramadan practices in Saudi Arabia are associated with evening hypercortisolism and increased insulin resistance. These changes might contribute to the high prevalence of chronic stress-related conditions, such as central obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus type 2, and their cardiovascular sequelae observed in the Kingdom.
Highlights
Disruption of feeding and sleep schedules have adverse effects on affect and metabolism [1,2,3,4]
The flattening of the cortisol rhythm is typical of conditions associated with chronic stress or endogenous hypercortisolism and associated with insulin resistance
Modern Ramadan practices in Saudi Arabia are associated with evening hypercortisolism and increased insulin resistance
Summary
Disruption of feeding and sleep schedules have adverse effects on affect and metabolism [1,2,3,4] Both conditions are stressors that influence the stress system and the secretion of its mediators, including corticotropin-releasing hormone, the catecholamines norepinephrine and epinephrine and cortisol, through which they exert damaging effects [5]. Staying up till dawn became a common practice among all age groups and socioeconomic classes, curtailing the duration of sleep and disturbing its quality These stressful changes during the Ramadan are accentuated when it takes place in the summer, when the daylight hours are increased. Practicing Muslims in Saudi Arabia go through strict Ramadan fasting from dawn till sunset for one month yearly. Saliva was collected serially during the day for cortisol determinations
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