The Effect of Long-Term Controlled Fasting (The Ramadan Model) on Body Mass Index, Blood Biochemistry and Oxidative Stress Factors

Objective: The month of ramadan is holy in Islam. During this month, muslims, in accordance with religious rules, spend most of the day without eating and drinking anything. We may consider this situation as a perfect model in order to detect the alterations that starvation might cause in human body. In this study, being inspired by this model, we have investigated some biochemical and endocrine alterations that long-term fasting might cause in human body and its effect on oxidative stress factors. Material and Methods: Anthropometric measures and blood samples of each healthy volunteers were obtained before and after ramadan. Biochemical parameters, thyroid hormones and oxidative stress factors malondialdehyde, glutathione in blood were analyzed. Results: Significant changes in body mass index were not observed. At the end of Ramadan month, significant increase in glucose, HDL and albumin levels were observed in both genders. Although a significant decrease was determined in T. bilirubin, D.bilirubin and fT4 levels in males at the end of ramadan, significant increases were identified in total cholesterol, LDL and urea values of females. Malondialdehyde levels increased in both genders, however the increase was statistically significant only in female subjects (p< 0.05). Significant changes were observed in glutathione levels in both genders. In male subjects, glutathione levels decreased while significant increases were observed in female subjects (p< 0.05). Conclusion: The results have shown that long-term controlled fasting (the ramadan model) may be able to cause alterations in parameters revealing metabolic and endocrine conditions and also cause oxidative stress. Some factors such as socio-economic conditions, nutritional habits, daily activities and gender may induce this situation.