Fasting regenerates the entire immune system of the human body. People with diabetes or any chronic health condition should consult with their physicians about the advisability of fasting. It improves metabolic function and helps to lose excess weight and water.
Prof. Dr. Jamal Ara, head of the National Poison Control Center at the JPMC Karachi, and National Coordinator for Chemical Safety for World Health Organization WHO, expressed these views at the 49th public awareness seminar on “Ramazan and Health Issues,” held at the seminar room of Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi on Friday.
Dr. Panjwani Center and Virtual Education Project Pakistan (VEPP) jointly organized the seminar.
Fasting for three days can regenerate the entire immune system and has amazing health benefits as it strengthens not only the immune system, it can also help lower blood pressure, and flushes out toxins, she maintained.
She said that citizens, especially patients with different medical conditions, were required to be calm and composed in the upcoming holy month. Ramazan acts as de-stressor for people, she said, adding that it had a positive effect on the mind, body, and soul.
The professor advised the citizens, especially patients, to have a healthy and balanced diet, and avoid large quantities of fried foods and high cholesterol-meals in Ramazan. Plenty of fluid intake during non-fasting hours is also highly recommended, she maintained.
Who Should Not Fast During Ramazan?
Fasting in Ramazan carries a high risk for people with type-1 diabetes. Diabetic patients must keep themselves away from heavy physical exercise or work in the afternoon.
Quoting a reference from Quran, she said that physically sick people, travelers, women during menstruation, pregnant and nursing women should not fast during Ramazan.
This year Ramazan will be in the summer months and will have important implications for Muslims with diabetes who wish to fast, as fasting in Ramazan carries a very high risk for people with type 1 diabetes, she pointed out.
She stressed the need for proper education especially for diabetic patients and said that fasting, with the new and safer formulation of insulin, may be possible but with a possible compromise of inadequate control.
Prof. Jamal Ara pointed out that pre-Ramazan assessment of patients who wish to fast should be done three months before Ramazan. She said that the diagnosis of patients and their families on signs and symptoms of hypo & hyperglycemia, blood glucose monitoring, meal planning, physical activity, and medication administration must be done before Ramazan.
She advised the patients to monitor their blood glucose levels at pre-Sehr, post- Sehr, midday, pre-Iftar, post-Iftar, and whenever symptoms of hypoglycemia occur. She added that a midnight blood glucose test was also needed.
She urged diabetic patients not to change their antidiabetic drug intake during the holy month, as 60 percent of patients change their antidiabetic drug intake. They do this without any medical supervision, she added.
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