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Additional prayers are prescribed after the dinner, which helps metabolise the food. Using a calorie counter, I counted the amount of calories burnt during extra prayer called Tarawih. It amounted to 200 calories. Islamic prayer, called salat, uses all the muscles and joints and can be placed in the category of a mild exercise in terms of caloric output.

Ramadan fasting is actually an exercise in self-discipline. For those who are a chain smoker, or nibble food constantly, or drink coffee every hour {or are prone to spontaneous outbursts of anger!}, it is a good way to break the habit, hoping that the effect will continue after the month is over.

Psychological effects of Ramadan fasting are also well observed by the description of people who fast. They describe a feeling of inner peace and tranquility. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wassalam) has advised "If one slanders you or agresses against you, tell them 'I am fasting'." Thus personal hostility during the month is also minimal. Crime rate in Muslim countries falls during this month.

It is my experience that within the first few days of Ramadan, I begin to feel better even before losing, a single pound. I work more and pray more; physical stamina and mental alertness improve. As I have my own lab in the office, I usually check my chemistry, that is, blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides before the commencement of Ramadan and at its end. I note marked improvement at the end. As I am not overweight, thank God, weight loss is minimal. The few pounds I lose, I regain soon after. Fasting in Ramadan will be a great blessing for the overweight whether with or without mild diabetes (type II). It benefits those also who are given to smoking or nibbling {or quick to anger}. They can rid themselves of these addictions {and others like them} in this month {insh'Allah}.

Fasting for Medical Patients: Suggested Guideline (10)

As mentioned earlier, patients are exempt from fasting. But some, for whatever reasons, do decide to observe fasting. For physicians treating Muslim patients, the following guidelines are suggested:

Diabetic Patients: Diabetics who are controlled by diet alone can fast and hopefully with weight reduction, their diabeties may even be cured or at least improved. Diabetics who are taking oral hypoglycemia agents like Orinase along with the diet should exercise extreme caution if they decide to fast. They should reduce their dose to one-third, and take the drug not in the morning, but with Iftar in the evening. If they develop low blood sugar symptoms in the daytime, they should break the fast immediately. Diabetics taking insulin should not fast. If they do, at their own risk, they should do so under close supervision and make drastic changes in the insulin dose. For example, eliminate regular insulin altogether and take only NPH in divided doses after Iftar or befor Suhur. Diabetics, if they fast, should still take a diabetic diet during Iftar, Suhur and dinner. The sweet snacks common in Ramadan are not good for their disease. They should check their blood sugar before breakfast and after ending their fast.

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