Ramadan 2024 WK 2.5

Last week I posted a blog about my daily routine during Ramadan. This week, I’d like to take a closer look at what is happening inside the body whilst I’m fasting.

Physical Effects of Fasting

Fasting during Ramadan is known as dry fasting by the health gurus online. It involves not eating, drinking or engaging in sexual intercourse from first light until after sundown. Ramadan lasts one lunar calendar month (about 29 to 30 days). From the very first day we start experiencing a metabolic shift, with blood sugar levels and blood pressure decreasing. The body starts a process of cellular and tissue growth. The digestive system gets a well-deserved break and as a result our insulin levels drop, which leads to fat reduction. I’ve lost 2kg so far, despite scoffing my face everyday at Iftar. Nutritionist Dr. Ceren Kucukvardar (Wired, 2023) notes that this weight loss also leads to cholesterol reduction. She also adds that fasting aids in fighting cancer inducing oxidative stress.

30 Day Detox

So, in the first couple of days the body is working on blood sugar and blood pressure optimisation. The next four days the body focuses on cleansing out the toxins and healing and strengthening the immune system. Fats are converted into glucose and rancid oils start to get purged from the body. The next week, the body starts working on those old hurts that haven’t fully healed up (my shoulder was a little tender for a few days). In the third week, the body is nearly done working on internal organs and so the body starts working on the brain (more of that below). In the last couple of weeks the body is fine tuned to rid itself of toxins and generally, a fasting person experiences better energy flow, clarity of mind and improvement in memory.

Cellur Level Changes

Its not just the digestive system that is getting a make over. Even at a cellular level there is a metamorphosis taking place. Neurologist, Dr Murat Alemdar (Wired, 2023), says that fasting triggers a process known as Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF), which aids the birth of stem cells and helps the body to heal and grow. Dr. Kucukvardar also notes that fasting can increase the production of the hormone adiponectin, which is important for heart health and glucose control. Dr. Ursani et al. (2024) write that fasting optimises cellular use of fuel sources that favour ketone bodies and fatty acids over glucose, which is great if you are a Type 2 Diabetic like me. A reduction in fasting insulin plasma levels also helps regulate cytokines that are linked to rheumatic and autoinflammatory conditions.

Conclusion

Ramadan is a special month for many reasons. It changes our routines so that we are more focused on prayer and worship. It makes us more concious of our responsibilities to our neighbours, our community and our fellow human beings, leading to an increas in charitable deeds and giving. It regulates, heals, detoxifies and regenerates our bodies at every level, from cellular, to chemistry and the major organs. But the main reason why we fast is to submit ourselves fully to the will of God and to gain closeness to the All-Mighty. But that’s next weeks blog.

References

• Human Appeal, 2021, What Happens to our Bodies During Ramadan? Available at What Happens to our Bodies During Ramadan? | Human Appeal
• Kahil, N., 2023, What happens to your body while fasting during Ramadan? Wired. Available at What happens to your body while fasting during Ramadan? | WIRED Middle East
• Ursani, M. A., Qaiser, I and Mahmoud, M., 2024, What Every Clinician Should Know About Ramadan & Intermittent Fasting, The Rheumatologist. Available at What Every Clinician Should Know about Ramadan & Intermittent Fasting – The Rheumatologist (the-rheumatologist.org)
• All images were generated using Copilot