RAMADAN FASTING

EFFECTS ON SERUM LDL-CHOLESTEROL AND HDL-CHOLESTEROL LEVELS.

Abstract

Background: Coronary artery disease is leading cause of death in world. Relations of serum LDLcholesterol
and HDL-cholesterol is well established with this disease. Objectives: Present study was planned to
observe the effects of Ramadan fasting on serum LDL-c and HDL-c levels. Designs: A descriptive study. Setting and
period of study: Healthy subjects selected from city of Hyderabad Sindh from 25th September to 10th November 2005.
Material and Methods: One hundred healthy subjects between ages of 30 to 65 years (mean 41.32 ± 7.3) were
selected for the study, their blood samples were collected one week before month of Ramadan, two weeks after start
of Ramadan and in first week of Shawal month. Fasting samples were analysed for LDL-c and HDL-c by magnesium
phosphotungstate precipitation and spin react kit method respectively on spectronic-21, spectrophotometer. Results:
When results were summed up and compared statistically LDL-c mid-Ramadan (3.93 ± 0.34 mmol/L) and post-
Ramadan (3.12 ± 0.11 mmol/L) were significantly lower (p<0.05) than pre-Ramadan (5.35 ± 0.46 mmol/L). Whereas
HDL-c levels of mid-Ramadan (1.63 ± 0.36 mmol/L) and post-Ramadan (1.98 ± 0.23 mmol/L) were significantly
elevated (p<0.05) than pre-Ramadan (1.12 ± 0.16 mmol/L). Conclusion: Ramadan fasting is well tolerated and
effective lipid lowering agent.