Effect of ramadan fasting on glycemic control and other essential variables in diabetic patients

Abstract

Background: Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is a religious obligation for all Muslims who represent 1.8 billion of the world population (24%). This study explores the effect of Ramadan fasting on the blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, sleeping quality, and essential lifestyle parameters and also explores the safety of fasting for a whole month among diabetic patients. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of Ramadan fasting on the blood glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, sleeping quality, and lifestyle parameters among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Turkey. Subjects and Methods: A total of 1780 diabetic patients were approached, and 1246 (70%) participated in this cross-sectional study carried out during the period from May 27, 2017, to June 24, 2017. Data analysis comprised sociodemographic features, lifestyle habits, blood pressure measurements, serum lipid profiles, serum calcium, Vitamin D 25-hydroxy, uric acid, and HbA1c at before 4 weeks and after 12 weeks from Ramadan. Results: Out of 1246 patients, 593 (47.6%) were male and 653 (52.4%) were female. The mean ± standard deviation age of the patients was 50.39 ± 15.3 years. Males were significantly older than females (51.53 ± 12.56 vs. 49.26 ± 14.4; P = 0.003, respectively). Significant differences were found in Vitamin D, blood glucose, HbA1c level, creatinine, bilirubin, albumin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (female), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (male), uric acid, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure after and before the holy month of Ramadan ( P < 0.05 for each). HbA1c ( P < 0.001), physical activity ( P < 0.001), hours of sleeping ( P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (BP) (mmHg) ( P = 0.007), BMI ( P = 0.016), diastolic BP (mmHg) ( P = 0.018), family history ( P = 0.021), and smoking ( P = 0.045) were identified as significantly associated with Ramadan fasting as contributing factors. Conclusion: In one of the largest studies of its kind, we show that Ramadan fasting has positive effects on T2DM patients as it reduces their blood pressure, blood glucose, HbA1C, and BMI. Furthermore, there are improvements in the duration of sleep and physical activity, the role of Ramadan fasting in diabetes therapy has been confirmed.

Maternal Fasting or Fluid Abstention Does Not Significantly Affect the Macronutrient Composition of Human Milk: Clinical and Clinical Research Relevance

“…women [10,11,14], or a more chronic fasting (during Ramadan) model in 81 women [9,12,13,15]. In our assessment, the acute model is likely very similar to the interruption of caloric intake as part of analgo-sedation related to surgery or diagnostic interventions [1-3, 10,11,14].…”

“…[9][10][11][12][13][14][15] are useful for extrapolation as there is likely a major burden to conduct such studies in an immediate postoperative setting.…”

The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS)

“…Recent evidence indicated clear effect of Ramadan fasting on triglycerides level in diabetic patients. Bener et al [62] tried to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on some blood parameters including blood lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, etc. )…”

“…The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) DOI: http://dx.doi.org /10.5772/intechopen.89333 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Turkey. They concluded that fasting during the month of Ramadan may help to reduce triglycerides level even in people with type 2 diabetes [62]. Interestingly, rare of the available evidences showed negative effect of Ramadan fasting on triglycerides concentration.…”

“…In general, a desired improvement has been found in plasma HDL at the end of Ramadan month and even after few weeks afterward [63]. Although there are some few studies that found no favorable changes in HDL as a result of Ramadan fasting [2,64], recent strong evidences approved the health effect of Ramadan fasting on plasma HDL [61,62]. However, the contradictory may due to the limitations of some studies.…”