title: Effects of ramadan fasting on biochemical and anthropometric parameters in physically active men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Ramadan fasting on several biochemical and anthropometric parameters in physically active men by comparing fasters and nonfasters before, during, and after Ramadan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen physically active men (10 fasters and 8 nonfasters) participated in this study. Subjects visited the laboratory for a total of four sessions on the following occasions: three days before Ramadan (Bef-R), the 15(th) day of Ramadan (Mid-R), the 29(th) day of Ramadan (End-R), and 21 days after Ramadan (Post-R). During each session, subjects underwent anthropometric measurements, completed a dietary questionnaire and provided a fasting blood sample.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Body weight and body fat percentage decreased in fasters by 1.9% (P<0.001) and 6.2% (P=0.003), respectively, but increased in nonfasters by 2.2% (P<0.001) and 10.2% (P=0.001), respectively, from Bef-R to End-R. Fasters' hematocrit and hemoglobin increased by 5.3% (P<0.001) and 6.3% (P=0.01), respectively, from Bef-R to End-R, while neither of these parameters changed in nonfasters. Fasters experienced an increase in the following parameters from Bef-R to End-R: urea (8.7%; P<0.001), creatinine (7.5%; P<0.001), uric acid (12.7%; P<0.001), serum sodium (1.9%; P<0.001), serum chloride (2.6%; P<0.001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (27.3%; P<0.001). Of these parameters, only creatinine increased (4.4%; P=0.01) in nonfasters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that Ramadan fasting lowers body weight and body fat percentage and can elevate high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in physically active men. However, practicing aerobic exercise during a hot and humid Ramadan month can induce a state of dehydration marked by an increase in some renal function markers and serum electrolytes.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Trabelsi
authors.forename: Kais
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: El Abed
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Trepanowski
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Stannard
authors.forename: Zohra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ghlissi
authors.forename: Hanene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ghozzi
authors.forename: Liwa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Masmoudi
authors.forename: Kamel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jammoussi
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hakim