Scientific studies have proved that fasting is highly beneficial for people, including those suffering from diabetes as it prevents them from risks of developing cardiovascular diseases to cancer, helps in hypertension management by reducing weight, improves brain function and prevents people from mood disorders as well as many other chronic ailments. But, people with diabetes must acquire pre-Ramazan education and consult their physicians for safe fasting in the month of Ramadan.
These observations were made by national and international experts and consultant diabetologists who spoke at the 5th International Diabetes and Ramazan Conference, organised jointly by Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE) Karachi and Ramadan Study Group in collaboration with Diabetes and Ramadan (DAR) International Alliance at College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), here on Sunday.
Eminent diabetologists, including Dr Mohamed Hassanain, Chair DAR international Alliance from United Arab Emirates, Professor Mehmet Akif Buyukbese from Turkey, Professor Abdus Sammad Shera, honorary president of International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Professor Abdul Basit, director BIDE and president IDF Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Professor Khalid Masood Gondal vice chancellor, King Edward Medical University Lahore and Dr Muhammad Yakoob Ahmedani, chairman of Ramadan Study Group expressed their expert opinion on safe fasting during holy month of Ramazan.
In his presentation on "Benefits of fasting: Scientific Evidence," Professor Mehmet Akif Buyukbese said fasting helps in weight loss from 3 to 8 percent which helps in hypertension management, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, prevents from different types of cancers by detoxifying the body and even prevents patients from rheumatoid arthritis.
Renowned diabetologist Professor Dr Abdul Basit said a vast majority of people with diabetes in Pakistan keep fast irrespective of their health condition so it is the responsibility of their physicians and doctors to educate them well before the start of Ramazan on safe fasting practices, medication adjustment, blood sugar monitoring during fast, diet plans and exercise.
"Except for people with very high risk, including those who have chronic heart or kidney diseases, have to take oral medicines three to four times a day and those who have been advised to refrain from keeping fast, all other patients with diabetes can keep fast in consultation with their physician and experts," he said, adding that diabetics could check their blood sugar level by pricking as it would not break their fast.
He said if the blood glucose level of a diabetes patient drops below 70 mg/dl or if the blood glucose level rises above 300 mg/dl with symptoms of hyperglycemia, such patients are also advised to break their fast. He said such patients would not need to have offer kaffara and they would only have to keep qaza roza.-PR