For a Muslim with diabetes, going without food and drink for several hours per day and for days at a time often leads to serious complications.įor this reason, healthcare providers have discouraged people with diabetes from fasting during Ramadan.1 According to the Islamic faith, Muslims with diabetes aren’t required to fast, since people who are sick, elderly, pregnant, or nursing are exempt.2 Yet, because Ramadan is believed to be the most holy and notable time of the Islamic year, believers are reluctant to give up this practice.
Christians with or without diabetes may give up eating certain foods or meals throughout the season but not all food entirely, and they continue to take their medications, so they’re much less likely to develop health problems. During the month of Ramadan, which begins at a different time each year according to the Islamic calendar, Muslims abstain from all food and drink, the use of oral medications, and smoking from just before dawn until sunset.1 In contrast, the 40-day fast during the Lenten season for Christians is less restrictive. Of all the spiritual fasts, Ramadan represents a particular challenge for people with diabetes and their healthcare providers. While fasting is a commendable spiritual practice, it’s one that could come with major health risks for people who have diabetes.
And many Christians fast and pray for 40 days during the Lenten season or sporadically throughout the year when there’s a need to reinforce spiritual discipline, receive direction from God for their lives, or experience divine intervention during tough times.
Muslims fast during the daylight hours for the entire month of Ramadan.
People of the Jewish faith fast for 25 hours from sundown to sundown during Yom Kippur. Many religious faiths recommend setting aside time for prayer and fasting-a sacred time to commune with God while abstaining from all food, drink, or both.įasting can last for one day, seven days, one month, or longer. Prayer and Fasting With Diabetes - Informed Clients of Faith Can Avoid Serious Health Risksīy Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN
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