Background & Aims: Non Alcoholic Fatty liver disease, "hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome", is the most common chronic liver disease in Western world with a prevalence of 20 to 30 percent. This study investigate the effects of Ramadan diet on fatty liver, metabolic indices and body mass index in obese women with metabolic syndrome associated hepatic steatosis.

Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 250 overweight and obese women referred to the maternal and childhood obesity research center of Urmia University of Medical Sciences. After obtaining written consent, physical examination, abdominal ultrasound and metabolic syndrome related laboratory tests were done and compared before and after Ramadan fasting. Data analysis was done using paired t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results: From 250 ladies 37 women with fatty liver disease associated with metabolic syndrome who were fasting during Ramadan were studied. Changes in severity of fatty liver in these women was not significant after Ramadan. Mean cholesterol and LDL levels after Ramadan showed significant reduction. The mean HDL- cholesterol, waist-to-hip ratio and insulin significantly increased. Changes in weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and mean triglycerides and fasting blood sugar in these people were not significant.

Conclusion: Ramadan diet lowers serum cholesterol and LDL and increase HDL has been shown that the positive effects of Ramadan fasting on metabolic syndrome.

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2016: 27(4): 287 ISSN: 1027-3727