Dr al-Nuaimi says fasting makes body healthy, RIGHT: Dr Bsaiso...urges diabetics to consult their doctors before fasting.By Noimot Olayiwola/Staff ReporterAs fasting in the month of Ramadan is around the corner and with the period falling within one of the hottest summer months, residents have been advised to observe a number of necessary precautions that will safeguard their health while fasting.“Ramadan is an opportunity for people to change their lifestyle, especially for those who are obese and those that smoke cigarettes or use tobacco,” Hamad Medical Corporation’s Emergency Medicine senior consultant Dr Saad Abdul-Fattah al-Nuaimi yesterday observed while highlighting some of the health benefits of fasting during Ramadan.He claimed that fasting is an effective way of reducing weight aside improving the overall health of the observer.“When somebody suffering from health conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, is fasting, they will have lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure and diabetes is also better controlled,” he mentioned.Dr al-Nuaimi cautioned against over-eating saying it will ruin the benefits of fasting.“Many people tend to over-eat during Iftar and Suhoor and cause themselves discomfort such as constipation and indigestion while some may even end up gaining more weight than loosing it,” he said.He mentioned that other health problem that people mostly encounter during fasting period include heart burn, indigestion, headache, dehydration, heat stroke, exhaustion and cramps due to the adverse weather.“Majority of the people who suffer from some of these heat-related illnesses, especially during Ramadan are outdoor workers, which is why it is important for them to stay indoor when temperature is high,” he said.The doctor also mentioned that the use of buddy system among outdoor workers could safe life as colleagues can spot the illness immediately it sets in.According to a Qatar Diabetes Association’s scientific committee member Dr Najaty Bsaiso and the Supreme Council of Health Non-Communicable Disease unit nurse Mohanisa S Basmala, people with diabetes should consult their doctor prior to fasting.“Arrange pre-Ramadan fasting consultation with your doctor or diabetes educator to review your control and feasibility of fasting safely and make note of the changes you need to do during the fasting period,” Basmala said.However, Dr Bsaiso maintained that people with diabetes can be divided into groups according to their status and that fasting for woman with gestational diabetes may cause her and the baby to be at risk for complications.Diabetes is one of the most common chronic disease prevalent worldwide, affecting more than 385mn people. In the Middle East, about a fifth of the population suffers from diabetes, and most of them suffer from complications related to heart and blood vessels disease. “Fasting is an opportunity to control the willingness for eating and drinking and to give the body a chance to rest and renew its activity. God gives the chance for those who can not fast to break it according to their conditions,” he maintained.Dr al-Nuaimi explained that usually the body enters in fasting mode after eight hours later and the body usually uses the glucose storage and once that is exhausted, it starts to utilise the fats as a second source of energy.“The usage of the fats stored in the body’s source as energy over the long term, can help to reduce the levels of cholesterol, blood pressure and also weight,” he said. Sharing similar views, Dr Bsaiso also said decreasing the weight can lead to better control of the diabetes during Ramadan through changes in diets, adding that was important to maintain a balanced diet to include foods from all food groups with no over-eating.“For the diabetic who fasts in Ramadan, it would be useful to include foods that are slow in absorption such as legumes and to maintain a greater balance in the levels of glucose in the blood during the fasting period,” he said. He advised diabetics to drink plenty of liquids during evening and should avoid sugar and caffeine to avoid dehydration. He also stressed the importance of regularly checking blood sugar to avoid hpoglycemia.And if the symptoms of low blood sugar occurred and blood sugar reaches 60 mg/dl, he should break his fast and get treatment by taking glucose tablets or juice and then have a snack. According to him, the symptoms of low blood sugar are shaking body, sweating, blurred vision, dizziness and come if there is very low sugar in the blood. “We also advise diabetics to reduce their fat intake by avoiding fried foods and oils that are frequently used in the fasting month as well as sugars and sweets and in particular between Iftar and Suhoor,” he cautioned.Both physicians advice consuming foods rich in fibre such as brown bread as well as a lot of fresh vegetables, drinking a lot of fluids including non-sweetened liquids during the evening and with Suhoor.Dr Bsaiso mentioned that people with diabetes can do physical activity as usual, but taking care to take some rest during the afternoon.While Dr al-Nuaimi cautioned that patients using medications should avoid changing their routine personally, Dr Bsaiso urged diabetics who are on tablets that encourage insulin secretion to consult their doctor.