Last Week Of Ramadan Research Articles

The effects of intermittent fasting during the month of Ramadan in chronic haemodialysis patients in a tropical climate country.

BackgroundChronic kidney disease is an emerging problem in the majority Muslim countries. Despite the uncertainties of the risks involved, some Muslim patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis choose to observe intermittent fasting during the month of Ramadan. This study aims to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting in haemodialysis patients residing in a tropical climate country.MethodsThis prospective cross sectional study recruited Muslim patients on regular haemodialysis from three haemodialysis centres in Kuala Lumpur from 15th July 2011 to 29th August 2011. Patients who fasted for any number of days were included (n = 35, 54% female, age 54±11 years). 89% of patients fasted for more than 15 days and 49% were diabetics. Dialysis parameters and blood samples were obtained one week prior to Ramadan and during the last week of Ramadan. The differences in dialysis parameters and biochemical values pre- and end-Ramadan were examined using paired t-test.ResultsBoth pre- and post-dialysis weight were significantly decreased during Ramadan fasting compared to the month prior (p = <0.001). There was a significant decrease in the amount of ultrafiltration (p = 0.002). There were no significant differences in dry weight, inter-dialytic weight gain, mean urea reduction ratio or blood pressure measurements comparing pre- and end of Ramadan fasting. There was a significant increase in serum albumin level (p = 0.006) and decrease in serum phosphate level (p = 0.02) at the end of Ramadan.ConclusionRamadan fasting is associated with reduced weight, improved serum albumin and phosphate level in our population of haemodialysis patients. A larger multi-centre study will allow us to understand more about the effects of fasting in this population.

Influence of age and religious fasting on the body composition of Muslim women living in a westernized context.

Currently there is some controversy to whether Ramadan fasting leads to changes in the nutritional status and body composition of females who observe this practice. Furthermore, recent research suggest that age may be an important factor that affects anthropometric values and body composition just before and at the end of Ramadan. The aim of our study was to analyze the effects of Ramadan fasting, as modulated by age, on the nutritional status and body composition of a group of Muslim female subjects living in a westernized context. A longitudinal study was carried out of 62 Berber Muslim females of ages ranging from 18 to 61 in the North African city of Melilla (Spain). The nutritional status was evaluated by anthropometry and their body composition studied by means of bioimpedance scales. These evaluations were performed before fasting began and again in the last week of Ramadan. The intermittent fasting produced important changes in the nutritional status and body composition of the female subjects. More specifically, there was a significant reduction (p=0.000) in total body weight values, BMI, body fat percentage measured by bioimpedance, and hip circumference (p=0.008). Significant differences were found (p=0.000) in anthropometric values and body composition before and at the end of Ramadan, depending on age. All the subjects experienced significant changes in nutritional status and body composition at the end of Ramada. These changes were more pronounced in the group of women over thirty years of age. .

The impact of Ramadan fast on BMI and cardiometabolic factors in ethnic obese adolescents.

The radical change of lifestyle during Ramadan fast has shown to affect cardiometabolic risk variables in adults. In youth however, no studies are available. We aimed to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fast on Body Mass Index (BMI) and cardiometabolic profile of obese adolescents. A prospective cohort study was conducted. We measured weight, height, body composition, waist circumference, blood pressure, heart rate, glucose, insulin, total-, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)- and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels before, during the last week of Ramadan and at six weeks after Ramadan ending. Twenty-five obese adolescents were included. BMI and glucose metabolism did not change after Ramadan or at 6 week after cessation of Ramadan. At the end of Ramadan, a significant decrease in body fat percentage was observed, while significant increases in heart rate, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and hs-CRP were found (all P

RAMADAN FASTING EFFECTS ON METABOLIC PARAMETERS IN ELDERLY PERSONS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS

Objective: Our study aims was to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on routine biochemical parameters in elderly subjects with cardiovascular risk factors. Design : Cohort study. Setting: Subjects were prospectively recruited and screened at nine primary care clinics, three outpatients specialized clinics and an emergency departement. Participants: subjects aged ≥ 65 years (n=87) recruted in Ramadan month in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Measurements: Dietary intake using a 24 hour recall, biochemical tests including complete lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), renal function tests, serum uric acid, serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride and protein), glycaemia, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C). All data related to dietary intake and biochemical tests were performed one month before Ramadan, during the last week of Ramadan and one month after Ramadan. Comparison between the three time groups were made using standard statistical tests. Results: We showed a significant decrease of creatinine clearance and an increase of serum triglycerides and blood glucose during Ramadan. After Ramadan, we observed a significant increase in HDL-C was and a significant decrease in serum triglycerides and HbA1c. No correlation was found between glycaemia and total energy intake, neither between LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and total energy intake. Conclusion: In elderly subjects with cardiovascular risk factors, Ramadan seems to induce dual effects. During the fasting period, there is a potential risk of renal function decrease and an increase of glycaemia. In contrast, after Ramadan, our findings support the potential beneficial effect of fasting on lipid regulation and glycemic control.

Effects of Ramadan fasting on serum immunoglobulin G and M, and salivary immunoglobulin A concentrations

To investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on serum concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM, and salivary IgA concentrations. Blood and saliva samples were collected one week before and during the last week of Ramadan from healthy male volunteers. Albumin, total lymphocyte count, electrolytes, and IgG and IgM concentrations were determined in serum; salivary IgA concentrations were measured. Anthropometric measurements were also recorded. Samples were collected from 35 subjects (mean age 35.86 years, range 20-59 years). Weight, body mass index, albumin levels and the nutritional risk index decreased significantly during Ramadan fasting compared with before fasting. In addition, Na(+) and Cl(-) electrolyte levels were significantly decreased during Ramadan. Serum IgG concentrations decreased significantly during Ramadan compared with before fasting, but were still within the normal range. Salivary IgA concentrations also decreased significantly, whereas serum IgM levels did not change. Lymphocyte numbers increased significantly, but there was no correlation between Ig levels and lymphocyte count. Ramadan fasting did not result in severe immunological disturbances.

Total sleep time in Muslim football players is reduced during Ramadan: A pilot study on the standardized assessment of subjective sleep–wake patterns in athletes

Ramadan is a period in which Muslims fast during daylight hours and is associated with disturbances in sleep–wake behaviour and adverse effects on physical and mental health in normal volunteers. Studies using athletes are rare and remain equivocal as to whether Ramadan influences sleep–wake patterns. Notably, the standardized assessment of subjective sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in athletes has not been established. This study employed the Arabic version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale in nine football players aged 20–35 years (mean ± s: 26 ± 4) one week before and during the last week of Ramadan. Compliance rates with self-administration were high (71%) and the results demonstrated a robust decline in total sleep time (before Ramadan: 6.6 ± 2 h; at the end of Ramadan: 5.3 ± 1 h; P < 0.05, effect size 0.81). Compared with previous research, the study questionnaires offer improved methodology, including less time constraints plus standardization in scoring. Thus, this study demonstrates a framework for greater reproducibility and reliability in the assessment of subjective sleep–wake patterns in athletes before and during Ramadan.

Interleukin-6, C-Reactive Protein and Biochemical Parameters during Prolonged Intermittent Fasting

Background: It is well known that nutritional habits, sleeping patterns and meal frequency have profound effects on maintaining human health. Ramadan is a religious month for Islam, during which Muslims do not eat and drink during the daylight hours. The duration of restricted food and beverage intake is approximately 12 h/day for 1 month, which makes Ramadan a model of prolonged intermittent fasting. Methods: In order to evaluate the effects of long-lasting modifications of food intake on inflammatory markers and biochemical parameters 40 healthy volunteers of normal weight [20 females aged between 20 and 38 years, 20 males aged between 23 and 39 years, body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m²] who fasted during Ramadan and another 28 healthy age- and BMI-matched volunteers (14 males, 14 females) who did not fast participated in the study. Venous blood samples were taken 1 week before Ramadan, during the last week of Ramadan and 3 weeks after Ramadan. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, vitamin B₁₂, folate, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were measured. Results: No significant changes were observed in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL levels. TC/HDL ratio (HDL risk factor) was decreased during and after Ramadan in both genders in the fasting group while there were no changes in the nonfasting group. IL-6 (p < 0.001), CRP (p < 0.001) and homocysteine (p < 0.01) levels were significantly low during Ramadan in the fasting subjects of both genders when compared to basal values (1 week before Ramadan). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that prolonged intermittent fasting in a model like Ramadan has some positive effects on the inflammatory status of the body and on the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as homocysteine, CRP and TC/HDL ratio.

The Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Maximum Oxygen Uptake and Maximum Performance

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5915/22-4-14314 The purpose of this study was to test maximal aerobic capacity and maximal performance during Ramadan fasting. Six volunteer subjects participated in the experiment. Venous blood samples were drawn, three-day dietary records were obtained, and body composition was measured before Ramadan and during both the first and last weeks of Ramadan. Venous blood samples were analyzed for sodium, chloride, and protein. Treadmill measurements of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max), ventilation, and respiration rate were recorded during the mornings and afternoons pre-Ramadan, during the first week of Ramadan, and during the last week of Ramadan. First week Ramadan tests showed a decrease in VO2 max with a return to the pre-fasting levels in the last week. Ventilation and heart rate did not change, but respiration rate significantly decreased in the afternoon tests. Sodium, chloride, and protein increased during the first week and returned to the pre-fasting levels during the last week of Ramadan. Body weight significantly decreased throughout the experiments. While percent fat decreased during the last week, lean weight did not change. This study indicates a state of dehydration occurred during the first week of Ramadan which was responsible for the decrease in body weight and may have contributed to the decrease in VO2 max. Rehydration took place by the last week of fasting with VO2 max returning to pre-Ramadan levels.