Effect Of Ramadan Fasting Research Articles

Transient increase in glucose variability during Ramadan fasting in patients with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes: A preliminary study

AimWe aimed to examine the effect of Ramadan fasting on interstitial glucose control and variability before, during, and after Ramadan in type 2 diabetes patients receiving insulin therapy. MethodsParticipants received a flash glucose monitoring (FGM) system one week before Ramadan that was removed on the sixth or seventh day (pre- and early Ramadan periods) of Ramadan and a second FGM system one week before the end of Ramadan that was removed one week after the end of Ramadan (late and post-Ramadan periods). Fasting blood samples were collected during the pre-, early, and late Ramadan study visits and tested for HbA1c, serum creatinine, and plasma glucose levels. ResultsThirty-four patients were prospectively included. The standard deviation and coefficient of variation of glucose concentrations were higher in the early Ramadan period than in the pre-Ramadan period, but did not differ in the late or post-Ramadan periods. Changes in the early Ramadan period were restricted to males and patients aged <55 years. No significant changes were observed in the average glucose level, glucose management indicator, time in range, time in hyperglycemia, or time in hypoglycemia at any time point. ConclusionsRamadan fasting in patients with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes is associated with an initial increase in glucose variability that quickly returned to pre-Ramadan levels. Ramadan fasting was not associated with any significant changes in glycemic control measures.

THE EFFECT OF RAMADAN FASTING ON PREGNANCY OUTCOMES DURING THE SECOND AND THIRD TRIMESTER

Background &#x0D; Fasting during pregnancy has always been considered a debatable condition. Some Muslim women do not fast during pregnancy for their children’s health; however, they feel uncomfortable because of their religious beliefs. On the other hand, some pregnant mothers prefer to fast despite their anxiety about their children’s health, and they fast during pregnancy.&#x0D; Objectives &#x0D; To evaluate Ramadan fasting effects in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy on maternal health, fetal growth and early neonatal outcome.&#x0D; Patients and Methods&#x0D; An observational case-control study carried out in Sulaymaniyah City/Kurdistan region/Iraq within a period between April to October 2021, involving 220 healthy pregnant women presented one week before and within the first week of Ramadan in their second or third trimester of pregnancy, they are grouped into two groups (fasting and non-fasting) according to their choice. Both groups followed 4-8 weeks after the first visit and at the delivery time.&#x0D; The parameters observed in the first and second visits were maternal age, weight, residency, maternal job, maternal blood pressure, haemoglobin (Hb), random blood glucose (RBS), gestational age measured by ultrasound, amniotic fluid index (AFI), fetal growth measured by ultrasound.&#x0D; The mode of delivery with an indication of cesarean section(C/S) was recorded in addition to the above parameters at the time of delivery. In addition, birth weight and 5 minutes APGAR score were also recorded.&#x0D; Results&#x0D; Of 220 women, 77 were not fasting, and 143 were fasting. About 87 women presented in the second trimester (57 cases were fasting), while 133 women presented in the third trimester (86 cases were fasting), and no significant changes in the evaluated parameters were observed. There was no significant difference between the fasting and non-fasting groups. Three babies from the fasting group were delivered during the preterm period, while two were delivered preterm in the non-fasting group. This study recorded neither intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) nor stillbirth. No significant difference in APGAR scores at 5 minutes and birth weight was observed between the two groups. &#x0D; Conclusion&#x0D; Ramadan fasting does not increase the risk of maternal, fetal and early neonatal complications. Most Muslim pregnant women do not recognize their right to be excused from fasting Ramadan by the Islamic religion, and they have a high rate of fasting with very strong desire and happiness.

EFFECTS OF RAMADAN FASTING TOWARD STRESS USING THE DASS-42 SCORING SYSTEM

Problems in college faced by students can cause stress. Ramadan fasting is beneficial for physical, psychic, and emotional health, among which it can reduce stress. This study aimed to understand the effect of Ramadan fasting on stress of preclinical medical students at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. The design of this study was prospective cohort analytic with a cross-sectional approach with a one group pre-test and post-test design. The consecutive sampling method was used for 242 respondents. To collect the data, the DASS-42 questionnaires are used. The Wilcoxon test were used to analyse the data. We found that 52 (21.5%) were experiencing stress while 190 (78.5%) were normal. The findings revealed that the stress scores fell during the pre-to post-Ramadan period for all subjects (p=0.000) either stress (p=0.000) or normal students (p=0.000). Based on the results, we found that Ramadan fasting can affect the stress scores of preclinical medical students in both normal and stressful students.

Ramadan fasting increases leniency in judges from Pakistan and India.

We estimate the impact of the Ramadan fasting ritual on criminal sentencing decisions in Pakistan and India from half a century of daily data. We use random case assignment and exogenous variation in fasting intensity during Ramadan due to the rotating Islamic calendar and the geographical latitude of the district courts to document the large effects of Ramadan fasting on decision-making. Our sample comprises roughly a half million cases and 10,000 judges from Pakistan and India. Ritual intensity increases Muslim judges' acquittal rates, lowers their appeal and reversal rates, and does not come at the cost of increased recidivism or heightened outgroup bias. Overall, our results indicate that the Ramadan fasting ritual followed by a billion Muslims worldwide induces more lenient decisions.

Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD): A Prospective Observational study

Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD): A Prospective Observational study

The Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Mood and Performance of Male Adolescent Archers

The Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Mood and Performance of Male Adolescent Archers

The Metabolic Effects of Ramadan Fasting in Type 2 Diabetics

Introduction: The objectives of our study are to analyze the effects of fasting during the month of Ramadan on metabolic control in well-balanced type 2 diabetics on oral antidiabetics or insulin. We analyzed the metabolic effects of fasting the month of Ramadan in 39 well-balanced type 2 diabetics treated with diet or oral antidiabetics or insulin, with good metabolic control. Our patients were assessed before Ramadan and after the month of Ramadan. This evaluation included a clinical investigation and biological analyzes. Fasting for the month of Ramadan had no influence on blood pressure, blood sugar, and hemoglobin A1c. Body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides were recorded before the beginning and at the end of the month. Only 39 patients who were able to fast 4 weeks and responded to the proposed follow-up after Ramadan. Baseline mean body mass (BMI), glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides were respectively; 30.25 kg / m2, 7.2%; 4.65mmol / l, 1.18mmol / l, 2.84mmol / l and 3.72mmol / l. A significant drop in LDL choleterol in the blood was observed during the fast at the end of Ramadan in 20 patients (52%) and the HDL-cholesterol level increased concomitantly in 16 patients (46%) without significant change in total cholestrol and triglycerides. The increase in HDL-cholesterol eliminates excess bad cholesterol by cleaning the tissues and bringing cholesterol back to the liver. In type 2 diabetes there is a significant drop in blood levels of HDL-cholesterol, which is an indicator of oxidative stress.

The effect of Ramadan fasting on mental health and some hormonal levels in healthy males

BackgroundMillions of Muslims around the world fast during the holy month of Ramadan as a requirement of their religion Islam. Studies have reported varying effects of Ramadan fasting on mental health and various hormones. This study aimed to examine the effects of Ramadan fasting on mental health and plasma Leptin, Ghrelin, Neuropeptide Y (NPY), Growth Hormone levels in healthy individuals, and to evaluate the possible relationship between their hormone values and scale scores. Male healthcare professionals working at a university hospital without any psychiatric disease were included in the study. In the last week before Ramadan and in the first week after Ramadan, participants’ blood samples were taken at 8.00 in the morning after 12 h of fasting, taking into account the release pattern and pulsatile release of these hormones in order to measure plasma Leptin, Ghrelin, NPY and Growth Hormone levels. Simultaneously, a sociodemographic data form, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Scale of Dimensions of Interpersonal Relationships were applied to participants.ResultsThe sample of the study included a total of 40 healthcare professionals. Participants’ BSI interpersonal sensitivity and phobic anxiety subscales scores and their general severity and positive symptom distress index scores decreased significantly after Ramadan compared to those measured before Ramadan. (p < 0.001, p = 0.020, p = 0.042, p = 0.006 respectively). Also participants’ ghrelin levels increased significantly after Ramadan compared to those measured before Ramadan (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe effects of Ramadan fasting on mental health may be mediated by some psychoneuroendocrine mechanisms. In order to elucidate these mechanisms that mediate the effect of Ramadan fasting on mental health, there is a need for better-structured studies with larger samples and more variables.

Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Glycaemic Control Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing around the world. Although Muslims with a physical illness are exempted from fasting during the month of Ramadan, a great number still choose to fast, often without medical consultations. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of observing Ramadan fasting (RF) on glycaemic control in patients with T2D. The Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCOhost, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, ProQuest Central and Europe PubMed Central (Medline) databases were searched for relevant studies published between January 2000 and December 2021. Observational studies that examined the changes in body weight (BW) and glucose parameters (glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA1c] and fasting blood glucose [FBG]), before and after RF among different age groups with T2D were included in the systemic review and meta-analysis. Effect sizes for the tested outcomes were calculated as weighted mean difference (WMD), with their confidence intervals (CI). Quality assessment was examined using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) tool. Of the 1592 identified records, 12 studies conducted in Middle Eastern and Asian countries were eligible and included in the quantitative analyses. The quality of the retrieved studies was evaluated and found to range between fair (83%) and good (17%). These 12 studies included 5554 participants of whom 54% were males and 46% were females. Our pooled analysis demonstrated that HbA1c and FBG levels significantly decreased after RF when compared to the pre-fasting levels (WMD = 0.55mg/dl, 95% CI 0.33-0.77, P < 0.00001, Ι2 = 93% and WMD = 12.42, CI 6.46-18.38, P < 0.0001, Ι2 = 81%, respectively). However, the difference in BW in fasting patients after RF versus the pre-fasting stage was non-significant. Although, young patients with T2D were enrolled in the 12 selected studies, we did not find any studies that solely focussed on this group. The impact of RF on adult patients with T2D is associated with favorable outcomes. However, future studies should evaluate data from young adults separately. In addition, it is essential to identify the effects of the number of fasting days (level of exposure), diet, level of physical activity and sleeping pattern on optimal glycaemic control. This information could be utilized by medical professionals as a non-pharmacological therapeutic method for management of diabetes in patients who are willing to practice fasting during Ramadan and other months of the year. PROSPERO: CRD42022314752.

The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on the Immune System Function

Fasting is one of the most important Islamic acts of worship ordered by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the great Imams, and Muslim philosophers. It has a tremendous effect on various aspects of human beings, including physical and mental health, cholesterol level control, and triglyceride level control. Moreover, it alleviates the dimensions of depression, psychosis, anxiety, obsession, interpersonal sensitivity, phobia, hostility, and paranoid thoughts. One of the most important effects of fasting on the human body is its influence on the immune system function. Significantly, it has been found that inflammatory biomarkers, such as IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP), are suppressed considerably by short- and long-term intermittent fasting. In overweight adults, calorie restriction (CR) improves clinical findings for patients with moderate asthma, reduces oxidative and inflammatory stress markers, and minimizes metabolic disease risk markers.

Effect of Ramadan Fasting in Turkey Upon Fetal Well-being and Perinatal Outcomes During the Last-Trimester of Pregnancy.

Ramadan, a one-month period in which eating and drinking are prohibited from sunrise to sunset, is considered sacred by Muslims. According to Islamic rules, fasting is obligatory for adults and healthy people, but patients and travelers are exempted from this rule. It is not clear whether pregnant women can fast during Ramadan. This cross-sectional case-control study included low-risk pregnant women at 32-37weeks of gestation in Turkey. We examined healthy women in the last period of their pregnancy and found similar perinatal outcomes between the fasting and nonfasting participants. In the evaluation of fetal well-being, a decrease in the number of accelerations in the non-stresstest (NST)and the need to repeat the test were found to be statistically significantly higher in fasting pregnant women. We consider that this may prolong the evaluation period and increase unnecessary hospitalizations due to nonreactive NST results. More randomized controlled trials are needed to conclude that fasting during pregnancy is safe.

Ramadan fasting reduces high-sensitivity C-reactive protein among HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Inflammatory conditions and oxidative stress increase in HIV infection, and inflammation increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Ramadan fasting is known to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetic patients. This study examined the effects of Ramadan fasting on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and total antioxidant status (TAOS) in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). This was a prospective cohort study comparing HIV-infected patients on stable ART who fasted throughout Ramadan to HIV-infected patients who did not fast during Ramadan. Inclusion criteria were men aged 20-40 years, taking first-line ART for at least 6 months, Muslims intent to fast for Ramadan, no current hospitalization because of acute conditions and not being treated for opportunistic infections. After 2 weeks, hs-CRP had decreased significantly in the fasting group (-0.41 mg/L [IQR = -1; 0.10]) compared to the non-fasting group (0.20 mg/L [IQR = -0.30; 1.50]) (p = 0.004). The linear regression analysis has shown that Ramadan fasting contributed to 10.10% of the variance in hs-CRP value (R 2 = 0.101) and decreased its value by 0.317 points (B = -0.317). Changes in TAOS did not significantly different (p = 0.405) between the fasting group (0.05 mmol/L [IQR = -0.03; 0.12]) and the non-fasting group (0.04 mmol/L [IQR = -0.13; 0.36]). In the fasting group, there were significant changes in polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption (p = 0.029), body weight (p = 0.001), cigarette smoking (p = 0.001), and sleeping duration (p = 0.001). Ramadan fasting reduces hs-CRP concentrations among HIV patients on ART.

Pengaruh Puasa Ramadhan Terhadap Rerata Massa Lemak Tubuh Dan Indeks Massa Tubuh Pada Remaja Fase Akhir

In body composition, we can find out whether a person's nutritional status is obese or not. Where we know that obesity increases the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. One method that can help reduce the possibility of these problems is fasting. A method that one of the goals is to rest the body, especially the digestive system, and get rid of harmful toxins in the body. This study aims to determine the effect of Ramadan fasting on fat mass and body mass index in late adolescence. This research is an analytic observational research with Cross Sectional method. The sample in this study was a student of FK UMM who served as an assistant lecturer in the biomedical laboratory. The analytical test used is the Friedmen and Wilcoxon tests. The results obtained include: (1) The average BMI of respondents is 23.94 ± 4.3 and the majority are classified as having a normal BMI of 56.7%. While the average fat mass (%) was 28.56 ± 9.15 and the majority were in the obese category (50%). (2) there was an increase in BMI in week 2 of the Ramadan Fasting but only slightly, then at week 3 it was obtained an average that was almost the same as the first week of the Ramadan Fast. Friedman test results resulted in p value = 0.472. (3) Wilcoxon test to determine the effect of fasting in each week obtained a significance value of more than 0.05. (4) Friedman test results to determine the effect of Ramadan fasting on body fat mass, the p value = 0.145. In conclusion,Ramadan fasting has no effect on body fat mass and body mass index.

PS-C12-7: THE EFFECT OF RAMADHAN FASTING ON HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN ASIA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Objective: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is a form of worship for Muslims, and the largest Muslim population is in Asia. Although the effect of fasting during the month of Ramadan on health has been widely studied, its effect on changes in blood pressure has not been widely studied. This study aims to determine the effect of Ramadan fasting on hypertensive patients in the Asian population. Design and method: The study subjects of this systematic review were derived from the original articles by previous systematic reviews (Alinezhad-namaghi and Salehi (2016) Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients A Systematic Review) which we then adjusted according to our inclusion criteria. Literature searches were conducted with the search engines PubMed, Google Scholar, and other search engines with limited publication between 2012 to 2022. The keywords used were “Ramadan fasting”, “blood pressure”, and “hypertension”. The inclusion criteria used were observational studies, cohort studies, retrospective analysis, or other non interventional studies with full text in English, the study conducted on hypertension patients during Ramadhan fasting, studies conducted in Asian countries, and blood pressure outcomes was reported. The exclusion criteria used were the study not conducted in Asian countries or not mentioned, and the outcome report was not blood pressure change. Result: The original systematic review previously found 5 studies. Based on literature search and data extraction based on inclusion criteria, we accumulated a total of 6 studies’ findings. Two studies were conducted on populations in India and Iran and one study in Iraq and Lebanon. A total of 220 subjects included in this study (Table 1). Our findings suggest that Ramadan fasting exerts a blood pressure changing effect despite results of inconsistent significance. Conclusion: Ramadan fasting can affect blood pressure change in hypertensive patients in the Asian population. Studies in a wider population are needed to assess the effect of Ramadan fasting on blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Improvement in endothelial function in hypertensive patients after Ramadan fasting: effects of cortisol.

There are studies on the effects of Ramadan fasting (RF), which is one of the intermittent fasting diets, on both hypertension and endothelial function. However, the relationship between possible improvements in endothelial function and blood pressure after RF is not clear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of RF on blood pressure and endothelial dysfunction in patients with arterial hypertension (HT). : Sixty-four HT patients, aged 45-65, who were followed up in the Cardiology Department of Kayseri City Hospital and fasted during Ramadan between 13 April and 13 May 2021 with their self-consents were enrolled to study. Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) were assessed before and after Ramadan. Also, 5 mL venous blood samples were taken between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. from all participants to assess cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), and other laboratory data. : In patients, FMD values were found to be higher after Ramadan compared to values before the fasting period (p < 0.001). CRPand cortisol levels decreased after fasting, and the decrease in CRP (95% CI for B = -1.685 - -0.334, p = 0.009) and cortisol levels (95% CI for B = -0.392 - 0.092, p = 0.039) were determined as the predictive factors for FMD after RF. Endothelial functions as determined by FMD improved after 30 days of intermittent fasting. The decreased CRP and cortisol levels may contribute to the improvement in FMD after RF.

Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Microvascular Complications in Type 1 Diabetic Patients

Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Microvascular Complications in Type 1 Diabetic Patients

Is Ramadan model of intermittent fasting related to hedonic hunger?

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine hedonic hunger at the end of the Ramadan fasting.Design/methodology/approachData were collected by the Power of Food Scale (PFS), Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait (FCQ-T) and the Visual Analogue Scale. All data were taken twice at the beginning and end of Ramadan fasting.FindingsA total number of 105 volunteers (43.8% female and 56.2% male) participated in a cross-sectional study. Ramadan fasting associated with PFS food tasted sub-factor, whereas no association was found on PFS aggregate and other PFS domain factors. Participants had higher PFS food tasted domain score at the end of the Ramadan fasting than before Ramadan fasting (p < 0.001). Total FCQ-T score as well as all sub-domains did not differ significantly. Females desired to consume carbonated beverages more, whereas in male (p = 0.04), ice cream was the most craved food.Originality/valueThe findings of this study provide data to the literature about the relation between Ramadan fasting and hedonic hunger. Ramadan fasting appears to have an influence on pleasure at first bite. The effect of Ramadan fasting on hedonic hunger should be tested with larger samples and controlled trials.

Effect of Islamic Ramadan fasting on peptic ulcer perforation: A retrospective comparative study

Background: Fasting for extended periods of time increases gastric acid and pepsin levels and consequently the risk of peptic ulcer perforation (PUP). The effects of Ramadan fasting on PUP have not been thoroughly studied, and a few existing studies report contradictory findings. The present study compares patients with PUP operated during the Islamic Ramadan fasting to those operated outside this period and determines whether an association between Ramadan fasting and PUP exists. Patients and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study between June 2019 and December 2020 was conducted at the Al-Nasr Hospital in the city of Ibb in Yemen. All adult patients operated for a PUP were included. Patient demographic characteristics, risk factors for peptic ulcer, ultrasound and radiological findings on admission, operative findings, postoperative complications, and outcomes were collected from the Hospital Medical Records. Patients were divided into two groups for comparison. Group A included the patients operated on during Ramadan, while Group B included patients operated on outside Ramadan. Results: A total of 40 adult patients with PUP were included. The overall mean age of the participants was 41.6 ± 8.21 years (range: 23–58 years). Most patients were men (30, 75%), and most (19, 47.5%) were admitted to the Al-Nasr Hospital between 24 and 48 hours from the start of the symptoms. History of chewing khat, consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, dyspepsia, alcohol use, and smoking were presented in 39 (97.5%), 30 (75%), 36 (90%), 6 (15%), and 35 (87.5%) patients, respectively. The most presented blood group (57.5% of patients) was O type. Most of the patients (72.5%) presented with multiple gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, anorexia, vomiting, and constipation. An x-ray found air under the diaphragm in 85% of the patients. Ultrasonography found free fluid in 20 (50%) patients. The size of the perforated ulcer (diameter) was less than 10 mm in 65% of the patients. Postoperative complications were surgical site infection, fluid collection, need for reoperation, and intra-abdominal sepsis in 6 (15%), 4 (10%), 3 (7.5%), and 3 (7.5%) patients, respectively. Most patients (37, 92.5%) recovered well and were discharged from the hospital, and three (7.5%) patients died. The comparative analysis demonstrated a significantly younger age in those operated during Ramadan fasting (Group A) compared to those operated at other times of the year (Group B; 38.8 ± 7.42 years vs. 44.4 ± 8.17; p = 0.029). We observed a statistically significant increase in the number of patients with PUP operated on during Ramadan (p = 0.006), compared to those operated at other times of the year. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in demographic factors, radiologic findings, operative findings, or outcomes (p ≥ 0.05). During the ultrasound, ascites were more frequently diagnosed in group A patients, while acute appendicitis was generally misdiagnosed in Group B patients, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.013). Conclusions: The findings of the present study report an increase in the number of PUP operations during Ramadan fasting in Yemen, but not in postoperative complications, suggesting an association between Ramadan fasting and PUP.

Ramadan fasting and weight change trajectories: Time-varying association of weight during and after Ramadan in low-income and refugee populations.

Obesity is a significant driver of the global burden of non-communicable diseases. Fasting is one approach that has been shown to improve health outcomes. However, the effects of Ramadan fasting differ in that the type, frequency, quantity, and time of food consumption vary. This phenomenon requires in-depth evaluation considering that 90% of Muslims (~2 billion people) fast during Ramadan. To address this issue, we evaluated the pattern of weight change during and following Ramadan for a total of 52 weeks. The study was conducted in Amman, Jordan. Between 2012 and 2015, 913 participants were recruited as part of a trial investigating the efficacy of a weight loss intervention among those with or at risk for diabetes. Weight was measured weekly starting at the beginning of Ramadan, and changes were analyzed using discrete and spline models adjusted for age, sex, and trial group. Results show slight weight gain within the first two weeks and weight loss in the subsequent weeks. During the first week of Ramadan, the estimate for a weight reduction was 0·427 kg, (95% CI: -0·007, 0·861), increasing to 1·567 kg, (95% CI: 2·547, 3·527) at week 26. There was clear evidence of gradual weight gain from about 4 to 15 weeks and a drop towards the end of the investigation at week 28 (-0·12kg, 95% CI: -0·89, 0·56). Our results show that weight changes occurred during and after Ramadan. Weight fluctuations may affect health risks, and thus, findings from this study can inform interventions. Public health agencies could leverage this period of dietary change to sustain some of the benefits of fasting. The authors (DEZ, EFD) acknowledge the Mulago Foundation, the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the World Diabetes Foundation. TRIAL REGISTRATION. Clinicaltrials.gov registry identifier: NCT01596244.

The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Serum Malondialdehyde Levels as Indicator of Oxidative Stress and Cellular Damage

Background: Ramadan fasting is one of five pillars of Islam. Fasting is to refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise (sahur) to sunset (ifthar). Ramadan fasting has been shown to impact on body systems in different manners. One of the benefits of Ramadan fasting is protection against oxidative stress and cellular damage. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a product of free radicals (hydroxil radicals) with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) produced from lipid peroxidation of cell membranes. This paper aims to determine the effect of Ramadan fasting on serum MDA levels.Methods: The design of this study is quasiexperimental with one group pre and post design. The sample of this study was 16 preclinical students of FK UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta who performed Ramadan fasting for 17 consecutive days. Blood samples were taken 1 day before Ramadan fasting and 18 days of Ramadan fasting to measure serum MDA levels. The study was conducted in the biochemical laboratory of FK UIN Syarif Hidayatullah.Results: The mean serum MDA levels before fasting was 0.90 ± 0.54 nmol/mL. The median value of serum MDA levels after fasting was 0.43 nmol/mL, with a range between 0.03 - 2.75 nmol/mL. Ramadan fasting decreases serum MDA levels, but the decrease that occurs on the 17th day of Ramadan fasting was not significant (p&gt; 0.05). There was an increase in serum MDA levels in 4 subjects (25%) after Ramadan fasting.Conclusion: Ramadan fasting can reduce serum MDA levels as a marker of oxidative stress and cell damage. Further study is needed to investigate the various results in serum MDA levels after fasting.