RAMADAN FASTING: THE TRUE REJUVENATION OF BODY AND MIND
Abstract
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is the holy month of fasting observed by Muslims around the world. It is not just a religious and spiritual journey but also a potential period of physical and mental rejuvenation. Islam, with over two billion followers, is the second-largest religion globally and projected to outnumber Christians by 2050.1 Abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk for a month can bring about significant changes in the body and mind, promoting overall well-being.
Ramadan fasting is a deeply spiritual practice that promotes self-discipline, empathy, and spiritual reflection. It is also a significant cultural and religious tradition that promotes social connection, contributing to mental rejuvenation. It has been associated with improved biochemical parameters and reduced risk of metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and obesity, contributing to physical rejuvenation.2
Downloads
References
Islamic calendar: Important islamic dates and holidays - ing [Internet]. Islamic Networks Group (ING); 2024 [cited 2024 Mar 1]. Available from: https://ing.org/resources/for-all-groups/calendar-of-important-islamic-dates/
What is dry fasting, and is it safe? [Internet]. MedicineNet; 2023 [cited 2024 Mar 1]. Available from: https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_dry_fasting_and_is_it_safe/article.htm
Ongsara S, Boonpol S, Prompalad N, Jeenduang N. The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Biochemical Parameters in Healthy Thai Subjects. J Clin Diagn Res. 2017;11(9):BC14-BC18. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2017/27294.10634
Rouhani MH, Azadbakht L. Is Ramadan fasting related to health outcomes? A review on the related evidence. J Res Med Sci. 2014;19(10):987-992
Al-Jafar R, Zografou Themeli M, Zaman S, et al. Effect of Religious Fasting in Ramadan on Blood Pressure: Results From LORANS (London Ramadan Study) and a Meta-Analysis. J Am Heart Assoc. 2021;10(20):e021560. doi:10.1161/JAHA.120.021560
Meo SA, Hassan A. Physiological changes during fasting in Ramadan. J Pak Med Assoc. 2015;65(5 Suppl 1):S6-S14.
Ichimiya T, Yamakawa T, Hirano T, et al. Autophagy and Autophagy-Related Diseases: A Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(23):8974. doi:10.3390/ijms21238974
Albosta M, Bakke J. Intermittent fasting: is there a role in the treatment of diabetes? A review of the literature and guide for primary care physicians. Clin Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021;7(1):3. doi:10.1186/s40842-020-00116-1
Larrick JW, Mendelsohn AR, Larrick JW. Beneficial Gut Microbiome Remodeled During Intermittent Fasting in Humans. Rejuvenation Res. 2021;24(3):234-237. doi:10.1089/rej.2021.0025
Khan MN, Khan SI, Rana MI, Ayyaz A, Khan MY, Imran M. Intermittent fasting positively modulates human gut microbial diversity and ameliorates blood lipid profile. Front Microbiol. 2022;13:922727. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.922727
Su J, Wang Y, Zhang X, et al. Remodeling of the gut microbiome during Ramadan-associated intermittent fasting. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021;113(5):1332-1342. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa388
Mulas A, Cienfuegos S, Ezpeleta M, Lin S, Pavlou V, Varady KA. Effect of intermittent fasting on circulating inflammatory markers in obesity: A review of human trials. Front Nutr. 2023;10:1146924. doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1146924
Pereira M, Liang J, Edwards-Hicks J, et al. Arachidonic acid inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome is a mechanism to explain the anti-inflammatory effects of fasting. Cell Rep. 2024;43(2):113700. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113700
Bastani A, Rajabi S, Kianimarkani F. The Effects of Fasting During Ramadan on the Concentration of Serotonin, Dopamine, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Nerve Growth Factor. Neurol Int. 2017;9(2):7043. doi:10.4081/ni.2017.7043
Tagliafico L, Nencioni A, Monacelli F. Fasting and Cognitive Impairment. Nutrients. 2023;15(24):5108. doi:10.3390/nu15245108
Mattson MP, Moehl K, Ghena N, Schmaedick M, Cheng A. Intermittent metabolic switching, neuroplasticity and brain health [published correction appears in Nat Rev Neurosci. 2020 Aug;21(8):445]. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2018;19(2):63-80. doi:10.1038/nrn.2017.156
Elias A, Padinjakara N, Lautenschlager NT. Effects of intermittent fasting on cognitive health and Alzheimer's disease. Nutr Rev. 2023;81(9):1225-1233. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuad021
Al-Rawi N, Madkour M, Jahrami H, et al. Effect of diurnal intermittent fasting during Ramadan on ghrelin, leptin, melatonin, and cortisol levels among overweight and obese subjects: A prospective observational study. PLoS One. 2020;15(8):e0237922. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0237922
Wellness T. 4 ways in which fasting helps build self-control [Internet]. The Wellness Corner; 2022 [cited 2024 Mar 1]. Available from: https://www.thewellnesscorner.com/blog/4-ways-in-which-fasting-helps-build-selfcontrol-
Copyright © JPPS. Published by Pakistan Psychiatric Society
Licensing: This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Readers may “Share-copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format” and “Adapt-remix, transform, and build upon the material”. The readers must give appropriate credit to the source of the material and indicate if changes were made to the material. Readers may not use the material for commercial purposes. The readers may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
.png)
