Ramadan fasting, practiced by over 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, triggers remarkable changes in the body’s metabolism that may reduce risks for certain cancers and chronic diseases. A study from Imperial College London analyzed blood samples from 72 participants before and after the holy month, uncovering favorable shifts in 14 key metabolites linked to health benefits. These findings, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggest intermittent fasting like Ramadan could mimic protective effects seen in ketogenic diets, offering hope for everyday people seeking simple ways to boost health.
Study Design and Participants
The London Ramadan Study (LORANS), conducted in 2019, tracked real-world fasters in five London mosques. Researchers collected blood from 72 diverse adults—mean age 45.7 years, 48.6% male, from ethnic groups like Somali, Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, and Arab—before and 8-12 days after Ramadan. Participants, representing everyday community members including those with diabetes (11.1%) or hypertension (20.8%), lost an average 1.7 kg and 1.1% body fat, but metabolic changes persisted even after adjusting for these shifts.
Using advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy from Nightingale Health, the team measured 169 metabolites across categories like amino acids, lipids, and inflammation markers. To link these to disease risks, scientists built metabolic scores (0-100 scale) for seven conditions using data from 117,981 UK Biobank participants, validating scores against actual disease incidences. This rigorous approach bridges lab science with practical health insights for common people.
Key Metabolic Changes Uncovered
Fasting shifted the body’s energy source from glucose to fats, sparking ketogenesis—a process burning stored fats for fuel, similar to popular low-carb diets. Of 169 metabolites, 14 changed significantly (FDR-adjusted P<0.05), including drops in inflammation marker glycoprotein acetyls (-0.07), glycolysis products lactate (-0.31) and pyruvate (-0.09), and amino acid tyrosine (-0.10), plus rises in ketone acetone (+0.10). Triglycerides in various lipoproteins also decreased, signaling fat breakdown independent of weight loss.
These shifts point to reduced inflammation and a metabolic “reset,” potentially easing chronic disease burdens. For instance, lower glycoprotein acetyls links to better outcomes in diabetes, heart disease, and cancers, as seen in prior research. Participants showed no smoking changes, ruling out that confounder for lung-related findings.
Table 1: Significant Metabolite Changes After Ramadan Fasting (Normalized 0-1 Scale)
| Metabolic Biomarker | Class | Change After Ramadan (95% CI) | P-value (FDR-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lactate | Glycolysis-related | -0.31 (-0.36, -0.26) | 0.001 |
| Acetate | Ketone bodies | -0.22 (-0.27, -0.18) | 0.001 |
| Glycoprotein acetyls | Inflammation | -0.07 (-0.10, -0.04) | 0.006 |
| Triglycerides in large HDL | Lipoprotein subclasses | -0.06 (-0.09, -0.03) | 0.006 |
| Triglycerides in IDL | Lipoprotein subclasses | -0.06 (-0.11, -0.05) | 0.007 |
| Acetone | Ketone bodies | +0.10 (0.04, 0.16) | 0.019 |
| Tyrosine | Amino acids | -0.10 (-0.16, -0.04) | 0.019 |
Note: Negative changes indicate decreases (beneficial for risk factors); positive for increases. Adjusted for age, sex, site, timing.
Encouraging Links to Chronic Disease Risks
Metabolic scores dropped significantly for lung cancer (-4.74, 95% CI -6.56 to -2.91, P=0.001), colorectal cancer (-1.09, 95% CI -1.69 to -0.50, P=0.001), and breast cancer (-0.48, 95% CI -0.81 to -0.15, P=0.006). No major shifts occurred for diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, or renal failure, but inflammation drove cancer benefits. In UK Biobank validation, higher scores predicted more cases—e.g., lung cancer scores rose incrementally across quartiles.
These reductions mimic profiles of lower-risk individuals, hinting at fasting’s protective potential without lifestyle overhauls. Animal studies back this, showing fasting stresses cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.
Table 2: Metabolic Risk Score Reductions After Ramadan (Change, 95% CI, P-value)
| Disease | Metabolites in Score | Change After Fasting | 95% CI | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lung Cancer | 9 | -4.74 | -6.56, -2.91 | 0.001 |
| Colorectal Cancer | 2 | -1.09 | -1.69, -0.50 | 0.001 |
| Breast Cancer | 1 | -0.48 | -0.81, -0.15 | 0.006 |
| Diabetes | 46 | -1.08 | -4.58, 2.40 | NS |
| Hypertension | 25 | -0.75 | -3.35, 1.86 | NS |
NS = Nonsignificant. Scores scaled 0-100; lower = better. UK Biobank n=117,981.
What This Means for Everyday Health
For billions observing Ramadan—or anyone eyeing intermittent fasting—this study spotlights accessible health hacks. Time-restricted eating (sunrise-to-sunset no food/water) naturally cuts inflammation, shifts to fat-burning, and may lower cancer metabolic risks short-term. Participants were ordinary folks, not athletes, proving feasibility amid busy lives.
Yet, experts urge caution: short-term data needs long-term trials for clinical proof. Consult doctors, especially with conditions like diabetes. Broader implications? Fasting’s rise in wellness circles gains science-backed credibility, potentially aiding global chronic disease fights.
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