- fasting reduces LDL or bad cholesterol and increases HDL or good cholesterol reducing chances of heart disease
A new study has revealed that fasting can reduce bad cholesterol and can provide long term health benefits.
A recent study at American Hospital Dubai, spearheaded by Chief Interventional Cardiologist Dr Omar Hallak revealed that fasting could reduce the risk of heart diseases. Last year’s study saw 37 adult volunteers participating, with positive changes in cholesterol levels indicating a healthier heart at the end of the research.
During fasting significant changes in eating patterns and habits leads to changes in the body that have an impact on health. One of the key alterations in health includes changes in cholesterol levels (a key indicator and risk factor for heart disease) with changes in the eating schedule expected to affect the lipid profile or the measure of cholesterol in the blood. For this porpose thirty seven volunteers were recruited with no medical contraindications towards fasting.
The study included measuring the Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure (BP) and lipid profile two weeks prior to the start of Ramadan. The same measurements were then repeated during the fourth week of Ramadan followed by a third set of measurements taken after three weeks of the finish of the month.
The study concluded that the group’s average LDL or bad cholesterol decreased significantly during fasting, while the average HDL or good cholesterol increased, resulting in a significant improvement of the HDL/LDL ratio in spite of increased BMI. A reduction in LDL is directly proportional to a reduction in heart disease.
Hallak who led the research findings said, “This study to examine the effects of fasting on lipid profile provides evidence that the change in habits and eating patterns during the holy month have a positive effect on cholesterol despite an increase in BMI.” He added that this is especially important in a region where there is a high incidence of obesity and diabetes.
He said that cholesterol levels should be checked at least once every five years in adults over the age of 20 and more frequently for men over 35 and women over 45.