Effects of Ramadan fasting and physical activity on glucose levels and serum lipid profile among Type 2 diabetic patients

Objectives: To assess the effect of fasting and physical activity on blood pressure, fasting glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, high density and low density lipoproteins among diabetic type 2 patients. Methodology: Seventy five patients who had three visits (last ten days of Shabann (visit 1), Ramadan (visit 2) and Shawwal (visit 3)) were included in the study. Physical measurements, clinical measurements and 12 hours fasting blood sample were taken, along with an interview for demographic information and physical activity on each visit. The samples were analyzed for 1) Glucose, 2) Cholesterol, 3) Triglyceride, 4) Uric Acid, 5) HDL-C, and 6) LDL-C. Results: The mean weight of the patients decreased significantly from 71.43 kg to 69.41 kg from visit 1 to visit 2. Mean systolic blood pressure also decreased significantly from 124.25 mm/Hg to 119.86 mm/Hg while. Mean triglyceride level decreased from 239.095mg/L to 207.07 mg/L from visit 1 to visit 2 and it kept decreasing to 159.25 mg/L till third visit. Mean LDL value increased from 104.12 mg/L to 112.64 mg/L from visit one to visit two and then further increased to 119.0 mg/L on the third visit. Conclusion: Ramadan fasting is safe for diabetes type II patients and is associated with weight loss and improvement in the overall diabetic control. Furthermore, the physical activities could reduce the body weight, waist measurement, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride and HDL.