Background: Previous research has shown that Ramadan fasting has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors, however there are controversies. In the present study, the effect of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular risk factors has been investigated. Method: This is a prospective observational study that was carried out in a group of patients with at least one cardiovascular risk factor (including history of documented previous history of either coronary artery disease (CAD), metabolic syndrome or cerebro-vascular disease in past 10 y). Eighty two volunteers including 38 male and 44 female, aged 29–70 y, mean 54.0 ± 10 y, with a previous history of either coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome or cerebro-vascular disease were recruited. Subjects attended the metabolic unit after at least 10 h fasting, before and after Ramadan who were been fasting for at least 10 days. A fasting blood sample was obtained, blood pressure was measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Lipids profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and insulin, homocysteine (hcy), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and complete blood count (CBC) were analyzed on all blood samples. Results: A significant improvement in 10 years coronary heart disease risk (based on Framingham risk score) was found (13.0 ± 8 before Ramadan and 10.8 ±7 after Ramadan, P <0.001, t test).There was a significant higher HDL-c, WBC, RBC and platelet count (PLT), and lower plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, VLDL-c, systolic blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference after Ramadan (P <0.05, t test). The changes in FBS, insulin,Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), hcy, hs-CRP and diastolic blood pressure before and after Ramadan were not significant (P >0.05, t test). Conclusions: This study shows a significant improvement in 10 years coronary heart disease risk score and other cardiovascular risk factors such as lipids profile, systolic blood pressure, weight, BMI and waist circumference in subjects with a previous history of cardiovascular disease.

Background: The present study aimed to assess the effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on body weight and composition and the effects of age and sex.Methods: Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured, body mass index (BMI) was calculated and fat mass, fat‐free mass and percentage body fat were assessed by bioelectrical impedance on 240 adult subjects (male: 158) who fasted between sunrise and sunset for at least 20 days. Measurements were taken 1 week before and 1 week after Ramadan. Energy and macronutrient intakes were assessed using a 3‐day food frequency questionnaire on a sub‐sample of subjects before and during Ramadan.Results: Subjects were grouped according to age and sex: ≤35 years (n = 82, males: 31) and 36–70 years (n = 158, males: 127). There were significant reductions in weight and BMI (P < 0.001) in almost all subjects, with the biggest being in males ≤35 years [−2.2% (SE 2.2%), P < 0.001]. Waist and hip circumferences fell in most subjects, except females aged 36–70 years. Fat mass fell in most subjects, ranging from 2.3% to 4.3% from baseline, except in females aged 36–70 years who did not experience a significant change. Fat‐free mass was significantly reduced in all subjects (P < 0.001), whereas percentage body fat was lower only in males by 2.5% (SE 3.2%) (P = 0.029) in those aged ≤35 years and by 1.1% (SE 1.5%) (P < 0.001) in those aged 36–70 years. Dietary intake was similar before and during Ramadan, except in males whose protein intake fell during Ramadan (P = 0.032).Conclusions: Ramadan fasting leads to weight loss and fat‐free mass reductions. Body composition changes vary depending on age and sex.

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is a religious rituals of all healthy adult Muslims. However, there is no clear agreement on the effects of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular disease. Comorbidities and factors such as age, gender, health status, daily duration of fasting, food intake before and after fasting may impact on a fasting individual

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial disorder that can progress to fibrosis. Several dietary patterns have been associated with histological features of NAFLD. However, little is known about the association between dietary patterns and hepatic fibrosis. Purpose: The current study aimed at identifying the relationship between major dietary patterns and hepatic fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study included 170 eligible subjects with NAFLD. Diet was evaluated using three 3-day dietary records during a 1-month period. Hepatic fibrosis was diagnosed using Fibroscan. Western, Iranian, and healthy dietary patterns were extracted using factor analysis. Results: After adjustment for other risk factors, adherence to a Western dietary pattern was associated with the higher odds of fibrosis (OR: 4.21; 95% CI: 1.63–8.31), whereas adherence to a healthy dietary pattern was associated with the lower odds of fibrosis (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.10–0.49). Among main food groups, high intake of red meat, hydrogenated fats, and soft drinks was associated with the higher risk of fibrosis, whereas tea and coffee consumption had a protective role in hepatic fibrosis independent of other risk factors. Conclusion: The adherence to a healthy dietary pattern characterized by high intake of low-fat dairies, white meat, nuts, vegetables, fruits, and vegetable oils combined with coffee and tea consumption might be helpful in the nutritional strategies against hepatic fibrosis.

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic syndrome (MS)-related liver disorder that has an increasing prevalence. Thus, the aim of our study is to evaluate the effects of pomegranate peel extract (PP) supplementation on hepatic status and metabolic syndrome risk factors. Methods: In phase one, the hydro-alcoholic extraction of the peel of 750 kg of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) was performed by the soaking method. Then, in phase two, NAFLD patients received 1500 mg of placebo (n = 37) or pomegranate peel capsules (n = 39) with a 500-kcal deficit diet for 8 weeks. Gastrointestinal intolerance, dietary intake, lipid and glycemic profiles, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body composition, insulin resistance indexes, and elastography-evaluated NAFLD changes were followed. Results: The mean age of participants was 43.1 ± 8.6 years (51.3% female). Following the intervention, the mean body weight (mean changes: -5.10 ± 2.30 kg), waist circumference (-7.57 ± 2.97 cm), body mass index (-1.82 ± 0.85 kg/m²), body fat index (-1.49 ± 0.86), and trunk fat (− 3.93 ± 3.07%), systolic (-0.63 ± 0.29 cmHg) and diastolic (-0.39 ± 0.19 cmHg) blood pressure, total cholesterol (-10.51 ± 0.77 mg/dl), triglyceride (-16.02 ± 1.7 mg/dl), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-9.33 ± 6.66 mg/dl; all P < 0.001), fat free mass (− 0.92 ± 0.90 kg; P < 0.003), and fasting blood sugar (-5.28 ± 1.36 mg/dl; P = 0.02) decreased significantly in PP in contrast to the placebo group in the raw model and when adjusted for confounders. Also, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (5.10 ± 0.36 mg/dl), liver steatosis and stiffness (− 0.30 ± 0.17 and − 0.72 ± 0.35 kPa, respectively, all P < 0.001) improved in the PP group. However, fasting insulin (P = 0.81) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P = 0.93) were not significantly different when comparing two groups during the study in the raw and even adjusted models. Conclusion: In conclusion, 1500 mg pomegranate peel extract along with a weight-loss diet improved metabolic syndrome risk factors and reduced hepatic steatosis in patients with NAFLD after 8 weeks.