Effects of ramadan fasting on serum lipid profiles in normal and hyperlipidemic subjects

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on lipid profiles in normal and hyperlipidemic subjects. Fasting blood samples were obtained from 35 male volunteers aged 19-33 years, half an hour before sunset on the first day as a baseline and the last day of Ramadan. The lipids and lipoprotein contents of the samples were determined and the results obtained were compared using Student's paired t-test. The results showed a significant decrease in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol level as well as total cholesterol/ high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratios in the hyperlipidemic subjects together with a marked increase in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels [P<0.05]. However, in the normal subjects, only low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratios were found to decrease significantly during Ramadan fasting [P<0.05]. In the group who had decreased their mean daily energy intake more than 500 kcal/day during Ramadan fasting, there was a significant decrease in the serum triglyceride and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels as well as total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratios. Whereas in the other group, only low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels with low density lipoprotein-cholesterol/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio were decreased. The results obtained indicate positive effects of Ramadan tasting on blood lipid profiles, especially in hyperlipidemic subjects and in subjects in whom the reduction of mean daily energy intake was more than 500 kcal/day