Horm Metab Res 2008; 40(8): 575-577
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1065321
Short Communication

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

How Ramadan Fasting Affects Caloric Consumption, Body Weight, and Circadian Evolution of Cortisol Serum Levels in Young, Healthy Male Volunteers

M. Haouari 1 , F. Haouari-Oukerro 1 , A. Sfaxi 1 , M. C. H. Ben Rayana 2 , N. Kâabachi 3 , A. Mbazâa 3
  • 1École Supérieure des Sciences et Techniques de la Santé, Tunis, Tunisie
  • 2Institut National de Nutrition et de Technologie Alimentaire, Laboratoire d’endocrinologie, Tunis, Tunisie
  • 3Laboratoire de Biochimie, Hôpital La Rabta, Tunis, Tunisie
Further Information

Publication History

received 29.05.2007

accepted after second revision 10.12.2007

Publication Date:
31 March 2008 (online)

Introduction

Peret et al. [1] showed a phase shift in liver glycogen circadian rhythm induced by timed food intake in the rat. Furthermore, our previous results in rats showed a significant decrease in pancreas fresh weight and its insulin content as well as in basal insulin secretion after two months of nocturnal fasting [2]. These observations indicate that the timing of food intake can influence endogenous functions. A review of specific characteristics of Ramadan fasting indicated that it could serve as an excellent research model to investigate the role of daily meal timing in metabolic endogenous bioperiodicity.

The ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar presents a period when food intake timing is inverted. During this month all capable Muslims are required to abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset. At night, food and fluids may be consumed freely. Conflicting results have been observed regarding the variations in blood cortisol levels, which are considered markers of circadian bioperiodicity rhythms [3]. The purpose of this work was to investigate the effects of the particular Ramadan food intake rhythm on total caloric consumption, body weight, and circadian cortisol evolution in healthy male student volunteers.

References

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Correspondence

M. HaouariPhD 

Ecole Supérieure des sciences et Techniques de la Santé

BP 176

Bab Souika 1006

Tunis

Tunisie

Phone: +21/671/56 24 55

Fax: +21/671/57 00 62 or +21/671/56 44 81

Email: Haouar_must@yahoo.fr

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