Abstract

Background: Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Ramadan is 28-30 days fast in which food, liquids and smoking during the day light hours is prohibited. This custom provides a unique opportunity to study the biochemical changes over this time.

Objective: To explore any favourable and unfavourable consequences of Ramadan fasting.

Materials and Methods: The study was performed on twenty healthy male students of Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Sciences, Bareilly, in the month of Ramadan (July-Aug, 2012). Body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure was monitored three times: one week before the beginning of Ramadan, mid of Ramadan (15th day) and at the end (29th day). Blood samples were also taken at the same times and evaluated for serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity, calcium and phosphorus.

Results: Body weight and waist circumference was found to be significantly (p

Key words: Ramadan Fasting; Waist Circumference; Blood Pressure; Creatine Phosphokinase; Serum Calcium; Serum Phosphorus