Third Week Of Ramadan Research Articles

The Effect of Ramadan Intermittent Fasting on Food Intake, Anthropometric Indices, and Metabolic Markers among Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and objectives: Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) is a monthlong practice in which Muslims fast during the whole day from sunrise to sunset. During this month, fasting people change their dietary behavior and alter their eating hours from day to night. The objective of the current study was to examine the effect of RIF on dietary consumption, anthropometric indices, and metabolic markers in healthy premenopausal (PRE-M) and postmenopausal (POST-M) Saudi women. Materials and Methods: The study included 62 women (31 PRE-M, 21-42 years, and 31 POST-M, 43-68 years). A structured questionnaire was used to collect socioeconomic data. Physical activity, anthropometric, dietary, and biochemical assessments were assessed before and at the end of the third week of Ramadan. Results: Socioeconomic data varied among participants. For both groups, observing RIF was associated with significantly (at either p ≤ 0.01 or p ≤ 0.05) lower intake of calories, macronutrients, minerals (excluding Na), and vitamins than before RIF. For the PRE-M group, the percentage of overweight participants decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.01) during Ramadan, while the percentage of obese participants remained unchanged. In contrast, for the POST-M group, the percentage of overweight participants increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) during Ramadan, but dropped at the end of Ramadan. Following RIF, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat, and fat mass (FM) decreased in both groups. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), and blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were generally maintained at acceptable normal levels in most participants before and at the end of RIF. However, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at the end of RIF was significantly lower than before, particularly in POST-M women. Age, occupation, and monthly income were the most important predictors for the changes in nutritional status and body fat upon RIF. Conclusions: observing RIF by PRE-M and POST-M Saudi women was associated with significant improvements in variable health indicators, with a few exceptions, and may help lower risk factors for chronic diseases, particularly among POST-M women. However, further studies with a larger sample size are required to determine and confirm the exact effect of RIF on these groups.

Running Performance during the Holy Month of Ramadan in Elite Professional Adult Soccer Players in Russia.

Religious fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadan is an important element of the Muslim culture during which no eating or drinking is permitted from dawn till dusk. A considerable number of Muslim soccer players abide by these restrictions, which may cause a negative impact on key running performance parameters during competitive matches. Alterations to diet and water intake during the Holy Month of Ramadan may affect various running performance parameters in elite Muslim professional adult soccer players. This study was conducted with two groups of soccer players from the Russian Premier League (RPL): The Exposure Group (EG) consisted of 13 Muslims age 24.0 ± 2.8 years abiding by religious fasting and the Control Group (CG) included 13 non-Muslim age 26.0 ± 4.4 years. Using the Instat system, the running performance of each player was controlled in both groups during matches from the RPL before and in the third week of Ramadan (a total of two matches for every player). None of the measured parameters demonstrated significant changes in any match. In conclusion, restrictions in diet and liquid intake during the Holy Month of Ramadan had no negative influence on the running performance of elite Muslim professional adult soccer players during daytime matches.

Effect of fasting on diurnal fluctuation of parafoveal and peripapillary vessel density and related oculodynamic and haemodynamic parameters.

To investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on diurnal superficial-deep parafoveal vessel density (pfVD) and nerve head (NH)-radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) peripapillary vessel density (ppVD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), as well as other related oculodynamic and haemodynamic parameters, and to compare these findings with those in the nonfasting period in healthy individuals. A total of 105 healthy individuals, 42 women and 63 men, were included in this prospective study. OCTA was used to examine the superficial-deep pfVD and NH-RPC ppVD. In the third week of Ramadan, OCTA readings were obtained twice daily at 08:00 and 16:00 hour (h) under fasting conditions and compared with nonfasting values 2 weeks after Ramadan. Both intraocular pressure (IOP) and blood pressure values were assessed accordingly. The mean age (23-51) of individuals was 34.37 ± 7.04 years. In comparison with the 08:00 -h values, the 16:00 -h IOPs, superficial-deep pfVDs and RPC ppVDs were substantially reduced both during the fasting and nonfasting periods (P = 0.001, P = 0.009, P = 0.006, P = 0.006, P = 0.004, P = 0.004, P = 0.41, P = 0.032 and P = 0.021). No differences were found in the diurnal change of superficial-deep pfVDs, NH-RPC ppVDs, IOPs and mean ocular perfusion pressures (MOPPs) between the fasting and nonfasting periods, whereas the same was not true for mean arterial blood pressures (MABPs) (P = 0.049). The parafoveal and peripapillary VDs (except for NHpp-VD) and IOPs were found to have decreased significantly throughout the day both in fasting and nonfasting periods. Our study confirms the diurnal changes in the IOPs, MOPPs, superficial-deep pfVDs and NH-RPC ppVDs under dehydration and normal terms.

Salivary cortisol levels during Ramadan fasting in hydrocortisone-treated secondary adrenal insufficiency patients.

Patients with adrenal insufficiency have difficulties in fasting during the month of Ramadan with an increased risk of complications. Cortisol levels are unknown in these patients. The objective of this study was to assess the daily cortisol profile in hydrocortisone-treated patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) and healthy controls during a fasting day. A cross-sectional matched case-control study on 50 hydrocortisone-treated SAI patients and 69 controls who are used to fast. Clinical and therapeutic data were collected. Five salivary samples for cortisol measurement were collected throughout a fasting day of the third week of Ramadan 2019. Salivary cortisol levels were significantly higher on awakening, at midnight and before the predawn meal in patients compared with controls. The circadian cortisol rhythm was disrupted in patients. The area under the salivary cortisol level versus time curve (AUC) was lower than the 2.5th percentile of the controls in one patient (2.5%) and higher than the 97.5th percentile in 23 patients (59%) who were considered overtreated. Age ≥ 35 years was independently associated with overtreatment (adjusted odds ratio = 12.0; 95% CI (2.0-70.4); p = 0.006). Seven patients broke their fasting for a complication compared with no one of the controls (p = 0.001). No factor was associated with this risk. Salivary cortisol levels were high in fasting hydrocortisone-treated SAI patients with a disruption of the circadian rhythm.

Effects of fasting on Blood pressure in normotensive males

Muslims all over the world fast in the holy month of Ramadan. Fasting means abstinence from drinking any liquids, eating, smoking and taking anything parenterally. It is intermittent in nature from the start of dawn to end at dusk. Fasting has various physiological effects on different biological parameters of the human body. Previous studies that look at effect of Ramadan fasting on blood pressure have focused mainly on hypertensive patients and patients with already established heart disease.(1,2)There is very limited data regarding the effect of fasting on the normal population. (3,4) A few previous studies have advocated a hypotensive role of fasting.(5) In our study published in Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad (JAMC) in 2015, “Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Blood pressure in normotensive males”, we investigated the effect of Ramadan fasting on blood pressure of normotensive men. We conducted a repeated measure observational study in Karachi, Pakistan on 70 individuals who were normotensive, non-smokers between the ages of 18–50 years. . Blood pressure, pulse, BMI of each participant was recorded one week before the start of Ramadan and in the first, second and third week of Ramadan. The results of our study show that intermittent fasting has a hypotensive effect in normotensive males as proven in animal models and certain human population. There was an average drop of 8/3 mmHg and while the results are significant, their clinical relevance needs to be analysed. Studies on animal models have suggested atrial natriuretic peptide, catecholamines, opiates and body mass index as possible reasons for the decrease in blood pressure due to fasting.(3, 6) Dewanti et al suggested that the cause of drop in blood pressure was the drop in BMI however in our study we found that a drop in BMI only occurred before Iftar towards the end of the fast. There was no significant drop in post-Iftar BMI although there was a significant drop in blood pressure post-Iftar. At the same time ANP has been investigated and found to have no relationship with the phenomenon. We observed a drop in both pre and post Iftar period blood pressure readings. From the community health perspective these results cast doubt on the results of screening for hypertension in the month of Ramadan. Our study has some limitations. First of all, our results cannot be generalized to women and individuals suffering from chronic diseases. Secondly, one cannot exclude the confounding effect of the type of food taken during the breaking of the fast for example individuals taking stimulants like coffee and tea might have yielded readings that were confounded.

Does religious fasting affect energy and macro‐nutrients intakes?

PurposeThis study was designed with the aim of assessing the energy and nutrient intakes of male university students before and during Ramadan and comparing it with the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) of Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachA total of 30 male students aged between 19‐24 years from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan Campus were recruited before Ramadan. The height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were recorded on day one of Ramadan and also recorded on day 21 of Ramadan to assess the changes. From the weight and height, the body mass index was calculated and from the waist and hip circumference, the waist‐to‐hip ratios were calculated. The respondents were requested to keep three days food record in household measurements; once prior to fasting and once during the third week of Ramadan. The records were then analyzed using Malaysian Food Composition Table and Food Atlas to get the averages of energy and macronutrients intakes of the subjects.FindingsAfter 21 days of Ramadan, the results revealed that there was reduction in the body weight and there was significant (P<0.05) improvement in the waist‐to‐hip ratio of the subjects. The effect was more prominent in the normal‐weight compared to overweight respondents. The mean energy and protein intakes were significantly (P<0.001) lower than the RNI for Malaysians of similar age group. However, mean energy and protein intakes increased during Ramadan compared to the first day of Ramadan. This study indicates that Ramadan fasting does not affect energy and macronutrients intake but only the routine of intake is affected.Research limitations/implicationsThis research was limited to a specific group of normal and overweight students who were residing on campus of the IIUM. Their intakes might not be consistent with those at home or living outside the university campus. Another thing is that the students might have over‐reported their energy and macro‐nutrients intakes compared to what they have consumed in reality. So, the self‐reported intakes could not be ascertained. The stated factors might have confounding effects on the finding of this research.Practical implicationsMost research argues that the body weight loss during Ramadan fasting is due to reduced energy consumption; however, this is not true in all cases. This study infers that there is no reduction in the total energy consumption, rather there is a change in the pattern of energy intake. This brief study would help researchers planning to conduct research on Ramadan fasting and will caution fasting readers about the intakes.Originality/valueThis study indicates that during Ramadan fasting does not affect energy and macro‐nutrients intake but only the schedule of intake is affected.

256: Ramadan fasting and high sensitive CRP in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a pilot study

Ramadan fasting is one of the five pillars observed by Muslim adults worldwide. Data on incidence of acute coronary syndrome during fasting Ramadan are scarce and conflicting. Inflammation plays a major role in atherothrombosis, and measurement of cardiac biomarkers such as High sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) may provide a strong independent predictor of future cardiac events. was to evaluate the effect of fasting during Ramadan on hs-CRP in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). it was a prospective pilot study among 27 patients with stable CAD (within the last 6 months) who were observed before and at the end of Ramadan fasting. Patients were recruited from outpatients department. Twenty one were males and 6 were females with a mean age of 59±8.2 years (52-75 y). Fifteen patients had hypertension, 10 were smokers and 7 were diabetics. Blood was analyzed at the first visit was a week before the onset of Ramadan and the second visit at the third week of Ramadan. The assay of hs-CRP was done with the collected sera by Demeditec Diagnostics Systems Laboratories (Germany). Six patients were excluded for the second visit due to various reasons (break voluntary of fasting in two cases, 4 patients with concurrent inflammatory disorders e.g. rheumatoïd disease in 2 cases and intercurrent infections in two others). A total of 21 subjects were screened during this period. There was a significant reduction in hs-CRP during Ramadan compared before this period: 6.6±8.7 vs 3.8±5.5 (p <0.0001). The mean variation of hs-CRP during this holy period was – 39.3±– 20.9 (0% à – 68.3%). The hs-CRP level was less than 3 mg/l in 10 patients (47.6%) before compared to 13 pts (62%) during Ramadan. The reduction of hs-CRP was independent of the risk factors or the dosage of statins. The practice of fasting during the month of Ramadan by the people with stable CAD might be cardio-protective as it resulted in the lowering of hs-CRP.

Intermittent fasting during Ramadan attenuates proinflammatory cytokines and immune cells in healthy subjects

Intermittent fasting and caloric restriction have been shown to extend life expectancy and reduce inflammation and cancer promotion in animal models. It was hypothesized that intermittent prolonged fasting practiced during the month of Ramadan (RIF) could positively affect the inflammatory state. To investigate this hypothesis, a cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the impact of RIF on selected inflammatory cytokines and immune biomarkers in healthy subjects. Fifty (21 men and 29 women) healthy volunteers who practiced Ramadan fasting were recruited for the investigation of circulating proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α), immune cells (total leukocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, and lymphocytes), and anthropometric and dietary assessments. The investigations were conducted 1 week before Ramadan fasting, at the end of the third week of Ramadan, and 1 month after the cessation of Ramadan month. The proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α; systolic and diastolic blood pressures; body weight; and body fat percentage were significantly lower (P < .05) during Ramadan as compared with before Ramadan or after the cessation of Ramadan fasting. Immune cells significantly decreased during Ramadan but still remained within the reference ranges. These results indicate that RIF attenuates inflammatory status of the body by suppressing proinflammatory cytokine expression and decreasing body fat and circulating levels of leukocytes.

Impact of Ramadan Intermittent Fasting on Oxidative Stress Measured by Urinary 15-F2t-Isoprostane

Fasting and caloric restriction have been associated with reduced incidence of chronic diseases and cancers. These effects have been attributed to reduced oxidative stress. Since Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) has been associated with reduced caloric intake, it was hypothesized that RIF would alleviate oxidative stress in healthy volunteers. The study was designed to elucidate the impact of RIF on oxidative stress measured by 15-F2t-Isoprostane (15FIP). Fifty healthy subjects (23 men and 27 women) who intended to fast Ramadan were recruited. Urine and serum sampling and anthropometric and dietary assessments were conducted one week before Ramadan (T0), at the end of the third week of Ramadan (T1), and one month after Ramadan (T2). Biochemical measurements included urinary 15FIP, creatinine, and hematological indices. Results revealed that the urinary level of 15FIP measured at T0 was normal, while they showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher level when measured at T1 concomitant with a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the body weight and total body fat percent. In conclusion, results suggest that increased body weight is associated with increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, and the impact of RIF on oxidative stress is mediated by the changes in body weight at the end of the month.

Effect of Ramadan fasting on glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, insulin, lipids and proteinous concentrations in women with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on body mass index (BMI) and on certain biochemical parameters of serum in women patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Sixty-six subjects from 3 regions located in the west of Algeria participated in this study. All participating patients were studied a week before Ramadan and at the third week of Ramadan fasting. No statistically significant fluctuations were noted in BMI either during Ramadan or in nonfasting days. However, the rates of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased slightly (P < 0.05) during the last week of the month of Ramadan among the diabetic patients. Also, the glucose levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the serum subjects of patients during the fasting period when compared to the level before Ramadan. This could be due to the significant decrease (P < 0.05) of insulin levels in patients during the fasting period. The rates of HDL cholesterol recorded in the blood among patients rose significantly (p < 0.05) during the Ramadan than during the non-fasting period. The statistically significant increase in HDL-cholesterol explains clearly the beneficial effect of Ramadan fasting on diabetic’s serum lipids. Moreover, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during the third week of Ramadan than nonfasting day. As for proteinous compounds (protein, creatin and urea), their plasmatic rates all increased substantially (p < 0.05) in patients during the fasting period of the month of Ramadan.

Intensity of a training session during Ramadan in fasting and non-fasting Tunisian youth football players

Heart rate was measured in 79 young male soccer players during training in the third week of Ramadan. Forty-eight players were practising Ramadan fasting, while the other 31 players were eating normally. All participants trained for 60–80 min at an ambient temperature of 25–28°C and relative humidity of 50–53%. Heart rate, which was measured throughout the training session, was marginally higher in the fasting (mean 144 beats · min−1, s = 25) than in the non-fasting (139 beats · min−1, s = 23) group (P < 0.001). When assessed as the percentage of heart rate reserve utilized, however, the training load was similar for both groups (62%, s = 8). No difference was detected in training intensity for the fasting and non-fasting groups when quantified by either training impulse (253, s = 139 and 253, s = 108, respectively) or training load indicator (222, s = 123 and 179, s = 49, respectively). The overall subjective rating of perceived exertion of the training session reported 20 min after finishing training was similar for the fasting (12, range 6–17) and non-fasting (12, range 7–17) groups, which was comparable (P = 0.16) to the mean value for the entire week (13, range 8–16). A similar finding was observed in the players' subjective appraisal of the difficulty of training of the individual session and for the whole week's training. Overall exercise load measures indicated that there was no biologically significant difference between the fasting and non-fasting groups during training in the third week of Ramadan.

The F-MARC study on Ramadan and football: Research design, population, and environmental conditions

Ramadan is a month of penance during which Muslims take food or drink only after sunset and before the sun rises. This fast can present a considerable challenge to the Muslim athlete. Sports performance in those who observe Ramadan and those who do not has not been formally compared. Four Tunisian junior football squads participated in the study, and it was the individual's choice whether they observed the Ramadan fast. In this study, 64 players fasted while 36 players did not. Players completed daily questionnaires on perception of training difficulty before and during Ramadan. Anthropometric data were recorded 3 weeks before Ramadan, during the second and fourth weeks of Ramadan, and into the third week after Ramadan. Performance tests (sprint, leg power, agility, aerobic endurance, football-specific skills) were also measured on these test days. Nutritional intake was recorded by recall three times during each phase of the study. Haematological and biochemical analyses were performed on a 7-ml blood sample taken from each participant on each of the test days. Sweat samples were collected during a training session in the third week of Ramadan, when heart rate was also measured. The data analyses are presented and discussed elsewhere in this issue.

Influence of Ramadan fasting on physiological and performance variables in football players: Summary of the F-MARC 2006 Ramadan fasting study

The timing of food and liquid intake depends on the times of sunset and sunrise during the month of Ramadan. The current body of knowledge presents contradicting results as to the effect of Ramadan fasting on body mass, body composition and metabolic changes. The main objective of the present investigation was to gain additional information and scientific data in conformity with the philosophical background of Islam to allow optimisation of the daily training and dietary regimen in relation to the mental and physical performance of football players. The four teams, along with their coaches and trainers, attended a residential training camp at training centre 3 weeks before the start of Ramadan and throughout the study. Energy intake was relatively stable in the fasting group, but there was a small, albeit significant, decrease of approximately 0.7 kg in body mass. Water intake increased on average by 1.3 l/day in line with the greater energy intake in the non-fasting group in Ramadan. Daily sodium intake fell during Ramadan in the fasting players but increased slightly in the non-fasting group. Fasting players trained on average 11 h after their last food and drink, and reported that they felt slightly less ready to train during the Ramadan fast. None of the assessed performance variables was negatively affected by fasting while nearly all variables showed significant improvement at the third test session, indicating a training effect. Heart rate measurements in one training session during the third week of Ramadan appeared to suggest that the training load during training was marginally greater for the fasting than for the non-fasting players. However, the overall exercise load measures indicated that there was no biologically significant difference between the fasting and non-fasting groups. In the present study, biochemical, nutritional, subjective well-being and performance variables were not adversely affected in young male football players who followed Ramadan fasting in a controlled training camp environment. Physical performance generally improved, but match performance was not measured. We recommend that players should ensure adequate sleep and good nutrition during Ramadan to preserve football performance and general health.