Halal Research Center of Islamic Republic of Iran. Tel.: +98-21-88909033 Fax: +98-21-88890858 Email: jhhhm@halal.ac.ir IR.MCIG No. 85915 Human, Health and Halal Metrics 2717-1027 7 1 2026 06 01 Impact of Ramadan fasting on metabolic profile, biochemical and hematological parameters in healthy adults among the Muslim community in Ogbomoso, Nigeria 11 20 248608 10.30502/jhhhm.2026.547366.1106 EN Saheed Ayodeji Adekola Department of Chemical Pathology, Medical Laboratory Science Program, Faculty of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria. 0000-0002-3512-1502 Nurat Abidemi Akinbami Department of Medical Laboratory Services, Oni & Sons Hospital, HMB, Ibadan, Nigeria. Yusuff Dimeji Igbayilola Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Baze University, Nigeria. Dhikroh Oriyomi Adekola Department of Nursing, Qassim University Medical City (QUMC), Buraydha, Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Tawakalitu A Zakariyau Department of Medical Laboratory Services, Haematology and Blood Transfusion Services Unit, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. Muh’d Saheed Kolawole Abd-Rouf Chester Medical School, University of Chester, Chester, United Kingdom. Afolabi Oyejide Olaniyan Department of Medical Laboratory Services, Chemical Pathology Unit, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. Joseph Olufemi Idowu Medical Laboratory Science Program, College of Health Science, Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria. Anifat Omowumi Eegunjobi Department of Medical Laboratory Services, Chemical Pathology Unit, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal Article 2025 09 15 Background and Objective: Research on the subject of religious fasting has seen a marked increase over the last two decades, with a particular emphasis on the Ramadan fast. The present study examined its impact on metabolic, hematological, and biochemical parameters in healthy adult Muslims in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, despite conflicting global findings and scant West African data. Materials and Methods: Fifty healthy adult volunteers, aged between 25 and 56 years, and with no evidence of chronic illness, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension, were enrolled in the study. The participants were non-smokers, non-obese, and observed the fast during the month of Ramadan, from sunrise to sunset for a period of 29 days. A semi-quantitative food questionnaire was utilized to document the dietary patterns of the subjects on days 0 and 29. Blood samples were collected prior to and during the fast at various intervals, and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Comprehensive arrays of hematological and biochemical parameters were meticulously analyzed from the collected blood samples. Results and Conclusion: The results demonstrated a substantial decrease in weight, waist-height ratio, body fat percentage, and plasma glucose levels during the practice of Ramadan fasting. A decline in cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, accompanied by an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels was also observed. Furthermore, significant alterations in hematocrit, hemoglobin, and white blood cells were observed during the fasting period. However, no significant changes (p > 0.05) were observed in the levels of albumin, total protein, AST, and ALT. The anthropometric and metabolic characteristics of healthy adults residing in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, are significantly influenced by the Ramadan fast. The results obtained are consistent with those of earlier research, which described hematological alterations, and point to possible advantages for the management of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This study underscores the necessity for further research on the health implications of Ramadan fasting and provides valuable insights.

https://jhhhm.halal.ac.ir/article_248608_998e0fe3759eb6742f0f90c1586cbdcd.pdf