From the Department of Medicine, Taleghani Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Abstract: (5865 Views)
Serum levels of glucose, bilirubin, calcium, phosphorus, protein and
albumin were measured in a group of nine healthy men before, and on the
first, 10th, 20th and 29th day of Ramadan, and four weeks after Islamic
fasting was terminated. There was a significant reduction in body weight,
a significant increase in serum bilirubin and a slight decrease in calcium
during Ramadan. Serum glucose decreased on the first and 10th days of
Ramadan, but increased thereafter and reached pre-Ramadan values on
the 29th day. The lowest serum glucose recorded was 63 mg/dl. All
changes returned to basal values four weeks after Ramadan. There was no
significant change in the levels of serum phosphorus, protein or albumin.
Physicians caring for Muslims during this month should be aware of these
changes.