Effect of Ramadan fasting on cardiometabolic health
File(s)
Author(s)
Al Jafar, Rami
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Although Ramadan fasting is a mandatory ritual practised by hundreds of millions of Muslims worldwide every year, studies on its effects on cardiometabolic health are scarce. Furthermore, Ramadan fasting is associated with dramatic lifestyle changes; thus, its effects on cardiometabolic health should be deeply investigated.
The overall aim of this thesis is to provide solid evidence that could be used by clinicians who advise individuals/patients on whether to fast during Ramadan or not. This thesis includes conducting a primary study (London Ramadan Study “LORANS”) investigating Ramadan fasting effects on anthropometric and body composition indices, blood pressure and metabolic profile and the diet transition occurring during Ramadan in a general population. Also, a systematic review and meta-analysis of former studies were conducted when required.
Our results showed that Ramadan fasting is associated with a sudden transition in diet adopted. A month of fasting and the change in diet were associated with significant changes in anthropometric and body composition indices and systolic and diastolic blood pressure which were in a beneficial direction for most of the participants and non-hazardous modifications in the metabolic profile. Moreover, we show that the changes in the metabolic profile are partially explained by the diet during Ramadan.
Results from the systematic reviews and meta-analyses revealed that the beneficial effect on blood pressure is in healthy individuals, diabetes patients or hypertension patients, but the effect was not observed in CKD patients. Moreover, these results pointed to a pattern in changes observed in anthropometric and body composition indices characterised by a start in the second/third week, a peak right after, and a return to baseline levels three weeks after Ramadan.
Overall, this thesis shows that Ramadan fasting could be associated with beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health. These findings may have implications for other time-restricted feeding models as well.
The overall aim of this thesis is to provide solid evidence that could be used by clinicians who advise individuals/patients on whether to fast during Ramadan or not. This thesis includes conducting a primary study (London Ramadan Study “LORANS”) investigating Ramadan fasting effects on anthropometric and body composition indices, blood pressure and metabolic profile and the diet transition occurring during Ramadan in a general population. Also, a systematic review and meta-analysis of former studies were conducted when required.
Our results showed that Ramadan fasting is associated with a sudden transition in diet adopted. A month of fasting and the change in diet were associated with significant changes in anthropometric and body composition indices and systolic and diastolic blood pressure which were in a beneficial direction for most of the participants and non-hazardous modifications in the metabolic profile. Moreover, we show that the changes in the metabolic profile are partially explained by the diet during Ramadan.
Results from the systematic reviews and meta-analyses revealed that the beneficial effect on blood pressure is in healthy individuals, diabetes patients or hypertension patients, but the effect was not observed in CKD patients. Moreover, these results pointed to a pattern in changes observed in anthropometric and body composition indices characterised by a start in the second/third week, a peak right after, and a return to baseline levels three weeks after Ramadan.
Overall, this thesis shows that Ramadan fasting could be associated with beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health. These findings may have implications for other time-restricted feeding models as well.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2022-10-03
Date Awarded
01/01/2023
License URL
Advisor
Dehghan, Abbas
Tsilidis, Kostas
Publisher Department
School of Public Health
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)