THE EFFECT OF RAMADAN DIET ON THE FATTY LIVER AND METABOLIC SYNDROME IN OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE WOMEN

Non Alcoholic Fatty liver disease, "hepatic manifestation of metabolic
syndrome", is the most common chronic liver disease in Western world with a prevalence of 20 to 30
percent. This study investigate the effects of Ramadan diet on fatty liver, metabolic indices and body
mass index in obese women with metabolic syndrome associated hepatic steatosis.
Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 250 overweight and obese women
referred to the maternal and childhood obesity research center of Urmia University of Medical Sciences.
After obtaining written consent, physical examination, abdominal ultrasound and metabolic syndrome
related laboratory tests were done and compared before and after Ramadan fasting. Data analysis was
done using paired t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient.
Results: From 250 ladies 37 women with fatty liver disease associated with metabolic syndrome who
were fasting during Ramadan were studied. Changes in severity of fatty liver in these women was not
significant after Ramadan. Mean cholesterol and LDL levels after Ramadan showed significant
reduction. The mean HDL- cholesterol, waist-to-hip ratio and insulin significantly increased. Changes
in weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and mean triglycerides and fasting
blood sugar in these people were not significant.
Conclusion: Ramadan diet lowers serum cholesterol and LDL and increase HDL has been shown that
the positive effects of Ramadan fasting on metabolic syndrome