Fasting in Ramadhan reduces risks of cardiac diseases [Archives:2002/47/Health]

PREPARED BY ISMAIL AL-GHABERI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
The salutatory effects of fasting Ramadhan on the cardiovascular system of individuals are quite obvious. There are contributory factors influenced by fasting, which have a pleasant effect on the heart. As a matter of fact, Ramadhan fasting has a beneficial effect on most if not all of the primary as well as secondary predisposing factors of ischemic heart diseases.
There are three primary factors, which predispose to the coronary heart disease. They are hypertension (high blood pressure), hypercholestrolemia (high blood cholesterol) and smoking. Ramadhan fasting has a favorable effect on all of these three.
As far as hypertension is concerned, it is quiet obvious that because of the complete abstinence from blood (and of course salt) for about 14-15 hours in the month of Ramadhan, the blood sodium level decreases and hence the blood pressure tends to be lower than before.
As all anti-hypertensive drugs have their own side effects, hence by rule, every effort should be made to control the blood pressure by non-pharmacological means only and Ramadhan fasting has its place there.
The important factors to affect hypertension in this regard are overweight, lack of exercise, alcohol and cigarette consumption, over-eating of meat and animal products in diet and increased stress.
A bit of reasoning will suggest that Ramadhan fasting has positive effects on all of them. As people fast during the day, they tend to lose weight in Ramadhan. Alcohol intake is already forbidden for Muslims and Ramadhan again proves that abstinence from these intoxicant improves the quality of life. There is also an obvious reduction in smoking and excessive dietary intake. Besides, in Ramadhan men are more inclined to offer their prayers regularly in mosques, which means an increased physical activity.
Muslims tend to be happier and stress-free in Ramadhan than in other months. As in this month the reward for worship and other good deeds (including fasting) is increased several times hence there is spiritual consolation, which surrounds the believers. This devoutness and piety gives them an internal satisfaction, which decreases the worldly tension and anxiety at least to some extent. It is noteworthy that Ramadhan type of fasting is especially suitable to control mild hypertension for which drugs should normally be avoided. A report by World Health Organization (WHO) says “efforts to lower blood pressure by life style modifications should normally precede any decision about the necessity for drug treatment of mild hypertension”
International Society for Hypertension (HIS) also supports the idea that patients of hypertension -especially mild hypertension- should be advised to reduce alcohol, salt and fat intake. They should quit smoking and do regular light exercises. As mentioned earlier, Ramadhan ensures all these measures.
The secondary and primary predisposing factor for coronary heart disease is hypercholestrolemia (or high cholesterol). The association between high cholesterol and coronary heart disease is well-proven. In July 1994, Medicine Digest published results of a study on cholesterol decrease which showed that a 10% decrease in cholesterol reduces risk of coronary heart disease by 50% at the age of 40, by 40% at the age of 50 and by 20% at the age of 70 years.
It is quite obvious that Ramadhan fasting results in lower cholesterol level provided intake of fats remains the same as before Ramadhan. In a study published in the Annals of Saudi Medicine, March 1994, cholesterol level of a group of diabetic patients was noted before the start of Ramadhan, which came out to be about 5.87+ 1.18 mmol/liter. Another sample taken after Ramadhan from same individuals showed it to be 5.19+1.11 mmol/liter, which is significantly lower than the previous one.
Similarly triglyceride level in the same group was 2.72+0.99 mmol/liter before Ramadhan whereas after one month of fasting it was also lowered 2.01+0.61 mmol/liter.
Surely Ramadhan fasting helps lower the cholesterol level as well as the low-density lipoproteins (LDL), which have adverse effects on heart.
At the same time, Ramadhan fasting helps increase the high density lipoproteins (HDL) which was proven to be cardio protective i.e. its high concentration is beneficial for the heart. Here it will be interesting to read an excerpt published in the Independent of July 27, 1993.
“A study of a tribe of Muslims Bedouin found their high density lipoprotein level to be high during Ramadhan when they ate only one meal in the evening after fasting during the day but after Ramadhan when they ate three or four meals a day, their HDL level dropped by 30 percent. It is therefore suggested that fasting during the day and eating one meal in the evening should be good for a healthy heart”. Note that this is what is followed in Ramadhan.

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