Food consumption during Ramadan and its influence on serum lipid parameters

ABSTRACT

This investigation was done to assess the change in serum lipid parameters before and after fasting during Ramadan and to hold correlation between dietary consumption pattern and these lipid parameters. The study was done on 20 healthy volunteers, who abstain from food as usual during the holly lunar month. A dietary consumption sheet was implemented for each individual. Fasting blood samples were drawn from volunteers three times, once before, once after and the third after the end of Ramadan. Serum glucose, triacyl glycerols, total cholesterol, low density and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were estimated in samples. The results showed significant changes in serum lipid parameters and in most cases, they were dependent on the dietary consumption pattern. It was concluded that fasting during Ramadan, with the physiological requirement of energy sources, would have beneficial effect on lipid parameters and, in turn, upon the general health state of individuals