ABSTRACT

In the month of Ramadan fasting, participants abstain from food and drink between dawn and sunset. This study was conducted to determine the effects of Ramadan fasting on the blood glucose levels in free-living Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM Type 2) subjects. The fasting and random blood samples were obtained from 10 (NIDDM) outdoor patients at several time points.

One week prior to Ramadan plasma serum samples were analyzed for glucose levels. During the Ramadan period on an average the fasting and random blood glucose levels decreased significantly (P>0.05). The relationship between decreased blood glucose levels and decreased meal frequency during random was significant (P>0.001). However there was no association between the total energy intake and the present contribution of carbohydrates, protein and fat during non-Ramadan Vs Ramadan period.

The result of this study suggests that in general Ramadan fasting in NIDDM subjects does not adversely affect the blood glucose levels.

However it may vary from one individual to another. In addition to blood glucose, other health indices such as triglycerides, cholesterol level and serum ketone bodies, cortisol levels may also be affected by Ramadan fasting. This however needs further investigation.

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