“Romatizma hastaları, oruç tutarken nelere dikkat etmelidir”

With the beginning of Ramadan, the effects of fasting in terms of health have come to the agenda again. Especially for individuals with rheumatic diseases, the positive and negative aspects of fasting are a matter of curiosity. Altınbaş University Faculty of Medicine Faculty Member, Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Specialist Prof. Dr. Mehmet Soy stated that individuals with inflammatory rheumatic diseases should be careful while fasting.

What are the health effects of fasting?

Fasting is a worship that has been practiced in many cultures throughout history and in almost every Abrahamic religion, especially Islam, and it draws attention with its effects on health. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Soy from Altınbaş University said that the positive effects of long periods of fasting on health are supported by scientific studies. According to studies, fasting provides benefits such as weight loss, increased insulin sensitivity, decreased cholesterol and blood pressure. He also mentioned that it may have a protective effect against some neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, the benefits of fasting in rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis rheumatism have been investigated and positive effects have been shown.

Is fasting good for rheumatism?

Explaining that rheumatism is a large group of diseases that affect the joints and muscles, manifested by symptoms such as pain, swelling, deformity and loss of function, Mehmet Soy said, “These diseases can affect not only the musculoskeletal system, but also other organs such as the lungs, kidneys, skin, eyes and nervous system. Patients with rheumatism must comply with regular medication and treatment. Rheumatic diseases are divided into inflammatory and non-inflammatory. In inflammatory rheumatism, inflammatory mechanisms are activated by stimulating the immune system in the body and organ involvement can be seen.”

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Soy stated that according to recent studies, long-term fasting has effects on the immune system and can reduce inflammation levels by affecting many immune mechanisms, including the autophagy mechanism. Pointing out that fasting can provide temporary relief that can last up to 3-4 months in inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Soy said, “Positive effects such as a decrease in inflammation indicators and a decrease in oxidative stress levels can be observed during fasting.”

“Adjust medication times according to iftar and sahur hours”

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Soy emphasized that individuals with rheumatic diseases should definitely consult their doctors before fasting. He stated that it is of great importance to adjust the medication times according to iftar and sahur, especially for patients who require regular medication. For example, they can take their evening medications at iftar and their morning medications at sahur.

If they have any, they can shift the times of the medications they take at noon to iftar or sahur, provided that they obtain the approval of their physician. In addition, it is also important to consume sufficient fluids and to avoid heart diseases that may prevent fasting.

He also stated that the presence of other diseases such as diabetes should also be taken into consideration.

Mehmet Soy reminded that individuals with rheumatic diseases should consult their physicians to determine whether they can fast or not. He suggested that fasting in rheumatic diseases may be beneficial for some patients, but that patients with additional health problems such as heart disease and diabetes should consult their doctors before fasting. “Medication regulation and individual health status should be taken into consideration. To have a healthy Ramadan, attention should be paid to the diet and doctor's recommendations should not be neglected.”

“Regular exercise is important in non-drug treatment of rheumatism”

Finally, Mehmet Soy also made important recommendations for non-drug treatment of rheumatism. In general, he emphasized that quitting alcohol and smoking, losing excess weight, maintaining dental and gum health, and exercising regularly will be beneficial for almost all types of rheumatic diseases. Mehmet Soy continued his words as follows: “Do not neglect your exercises during Ramadan. You do not need to do such heavy exercises. You can do your recommended daily exercises that can be done at home and walk on flat ground for half an hour a day. Spices such as turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and nuts such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and peanuts can be consumed in moderation. Priority should be given to consuming vegetables and whole grains by reducing red meat in the diet, increasing the rate of unsaturated fats rich in omega-3 if your general health and medications allow.”