RESUMO
Serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and acetoacetate were measured in a group of 91 healthy men [16-76 years], on the first, 10th and 28th days of Ramadan. There was a significant decrease [P<0.001] in serum glucose levels on the 10th and 28th days of Ramadan. Serum acetoacetate levels were significantly increased [P<0.001] on the 10th and 28th days of Ramadan. Serum triglycerides levels were significantly decreased [P<0.01] on the 10th day but there was a small increase in serum triglycerides on the 28th days of fasting [NS]. Serum cholesterol was significantly increased [P<0.001] on the 10th day but a small decrease was in serum cholesterol in the 28th day of fasting [NS]. Analysis of three days dietary recall of subjects before and during Ramadan indicates that protein intakes was significantly increased[P<0.001]. There was small increase in fat intake but it was not significant, however carbohydrate and calorie intake were significantly decreased [P<0.001]. There was a small but not significant fall in body weight and Body Mass Index [BMI]. Although some changes in serum concentrations of glucose, acetoacetate, cholesterol and triglyceride occur during Ramadan in men but none of them reach pathological proportions and since Ramadan only occurs once a year it would be unlikely to have any adverse effects on normal subjects