MEDICAL ASPECTS OF ISLAtvIIC FASTING

Several of the world's great religions recommend a period of fasting or abstinence, and of these, the Islamic fast during the month of Ramadan is strictly observed. One whole month of intermittent fasting every year is particular to Islam. The experience of fasting teaches Muslims self­ discipline and self-restraint and reminds them of the feel­ ings of the impoverished. Fasting is not obligatory for children. Menstruating women, as well as sick and travel­ ling people are also excused, and pregnant and lactating women are permitted to postpone the fasting of Ramadan; however they should fast during another month of the year, when they have no reason for exemption. In Ramadan, the majority of Muslims have two good­ sized meals, one immediately after sunset and the other just before dawn. They are allowed to eat and drink between sunset and dawn but neither eat nor drink after dawn. Since the Islamic calendar employs a lunar cycle, the Islamic year contains 354 days. Therefore, Ramadan moves back eleven days every year and may be situated in any of the four seasons, making the length of fasting hours variable from 11 to 18 hours. The month of Ramadan usually contains 29 days, and every few years, 30 days. From the physiological standpoint, Islamic fasting provides a unique model of intermittent fasting every day for one month. It is also distinct from regular voluntary or experimental fasting by the fact that the observant of the fast noes not drink during fasting hours. Therefore, one may assume that physiological changes occurring during Islamic fasting would be different from those seen during a regular fast. This review discusses physiological aspects of Ramadan