scholarly journals Fasting and Its Impact on Skin Anatomy, Physiology, and Physiopathology: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Bragazzi ◽  
Maha Sellami ◽  
Iman Salem ◽  
Rosalynn Conic ◽  
Mark Kimak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Caloric Restriction ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
The Body ◽  
Intermittent Fasting ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Ramadan Fasting ◽  
The Impact

Skin serves as the first protective line and barrier of the body. Like many other organs, skin can be affected by several disorders in response to external factors such as pathogens, ultraviolet light, and pollution, as well as endogenous alterations related to aging and/or oxidative stress disturbance. Researchers have reported new insights into how skin cells are altered in response to caloric restriction diets in mammals. One of the most well-known caloric restriction diets is the Ramadan intermittent fasting, which is a radical change in the diet plan of practitioners for the period of one lunar month. Ramadan fasting represents the fourth of the five pillars of the Islamic creed. Even though infirm individuals are waived to take part in this religious duty, patients with various health problems, including those with different skin disorders, might choose to share this event with peers and family members. No standardized protocols or guidelines exist, however, to advise their physicians on the proper management of their patients’ condition during fasting. With an increasing Muslim population living in Western countries, this topic has started to draw substantial attention, not only of Middle-Eastern physicians, but also of clinicians in the West. For this purpose, we carried out a comprehensive overview on the topic. Our main findings are that: (1) there is a strong need for evidence-based suggestions and guidance. Literature on the impact of the Ramadan fasting, as well as of other kinds of fasting, on skin diseases is scarce and of poor quality, as well as the information available from the Internet; (2) patients willing to fast should be advised about the importance of taking proper treatments or consider alternative options including administration of trans-dermal/topical drugs, as they are permitted during daylight hours. Further, non-compliance has important, clinical and economic implications for an effective patient management.

scholarly journals The Effects of Caloric Restriction and/or Intermittent Fasting on Bone Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-13
Author(s):  
Connor A. Hernon ◽  
Abduallah Elsayed ◽  
Raphael M. Vicente ◽  
Ariane Zamarioli ◽  
Melissa A. Kacena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Caloric Restriction ◽  
Bone Health ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Intermittent Fasting ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ad Libitum Intake ◽  
Available Information ◽  
The Impact

This mini-review summarizes the available information regarding the impact of caloric restriction (CR) and/or intermittent fasting (IF) on bone health. CR and IF are dietary interventions used in rehabilitative healthcare for augmenting weight loss and also proposed for recovery of conditions such as stroke and heart failure. CR restricts the total number of calories rather than different food groups or periods of eating. In contrast, IF severely restricts caloric intake for a period of time followed by a period of ad libitum intake. Here, we discuss the available information regarding the impact of these rehabilitation diets on bone metabolism, highlighting areas of consistency and discrepancy and suggesting future areas of study to advance the understanding of CR and/or IF on bone health.

scholarly journals Impact of Ramadan Intermittent Fasting on Oxidative Stress Measured by Urinary 15-F2t-Isoprostane

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mo'ez Al-Islam Ezzat Faris ◽  
Rand Nidal Hussein ◽  
Ref'at Ahmad Al-Kurd ◽  
Mohammed Ahmed Al-Fararjeh ◽  
Yasser Khalil Bustanji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
The Body ◽  
Intermittent Fasting ◽  
Hematological Indices ◽  
Biochemical Measurements ◽  
Total Body ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Urine And Serum

Fasting and caloric restriction have been associated with reduced incidence of chronic diseases and cancers. These effects have been attributed to reduced oxidative stress. Since Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) has been associated with reduced caloric intake, it was hypothesized that RIF would alleviate oxidative stress in healthy volunteers. The study was designed to elucidate the impact of RIF on oxidative stress measured by 15-F2t-Isoprostane (15FIP). Fifty healthy subjects (23 men and 27 women) who intended to fast Ramadan were recruited. Urine and serum sampling and anthropometric and dietary assessments were conducted one week before Ramadan (T0), at the end of the third week of Ramadan (T1), and one month after Ramadan (T2). Biochemical measurements included urinary 15FIP, creatinine, and hematological indices. Results revealed that the urinary level of 15FIP measured at T0 was normal, while they showed a significantly (P<0.05) higher level when measured at T1 concomitant with a significant (P<0.05) increase in the body weight and total body fat percent. In conclusion, results suggest that increased body weight is associated with increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, and the impact of RIF on oxidative stress is mediated by the changes in body weight at the end of the month.

scholarly journals Assessment of Quality of Life among outpatients Visiting Dermatology Department at a Hospital in Pokhara, Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-10
Author(s):  
Sujata Bhandari ◽  
Gulam Muhammad Khan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
The Body ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Dermatology Department ◽  
Life Quality Index ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Skin is the outer covering of the body and thus it is exposed to injury by various extrinsic factors such as environmental, chemical, infectious agents as well as intrinsic factors such as metabolic, genetic and immunological. Considering the fact that these are the major contributors of disease burden in society, this study was conducted to assess the impact of dermatological conditions on quality of life by using dermatological life quality index (DLQI). Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the outpatient department of Green Pastures Hospital of Pokhara, Nepal. The validated dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaires were assessed to analyze the result. Results: A total of 246 patients (135 females and 111 males) were enrolled. The skin diseases were seen mostly in the age group of 19-29 (39.4%). The major skin disease seen in the study were Tinea skin infections (21.1%), Urticaria (11.8%), Eczema (11.1%), Dermatitis (10.6%) followed by Acne (8.1%) and so on.The quality of life of patients had improved after taking the medication. Conclusion: Demographic variants did not have significanteffect on quality of life. However, the study showed that there was a notable improvement in quality of life of patients after follow-up visit in comparison to the first visit. Therefore, the proper use of medication showed the positive impact on quality of life among the patient of skin diseases. 

scholarly journals Impact of Ramadan Intermittent Fasting on the Heart Rate Variability and Cardiovascular Parameters of Patients with Controlled Hypertension

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Sabah Hammoud ◽  
Iman Saad ◽  
Rita Karam ◽  
Fayez Abou Jaoude ◽  
Bart J. F. van den Bemt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Intermittent Fasting ◽  
Ramadan Fasting ◽  
Hypertensive Patients ◽  
Cardiac Stress ◽  
Lipid Panel ◽  
The Impact

Background. Conflicting results are reported on the effect of Ramadan fasting on the cardiovascular health of patients with hypertension, a highly prevalent cardiovascular disease risk factor. This research aimed to evaluate the impact of fasting on cardiac health and heart rate variability (as a measure of cardiac stress) of hypertensive patients. Methods. Patients with controlled hypertension were followed in a prospective cohort during and after Ramadan. Lipid panel and blood glucose were measured at the end of each phase. Blood pressure and heart rate variability were monitored in the morning, afternoon, and evening of each follow-up day. Results. The study included 58 subjects (mean age: 54 ± 11.5 years, 52% male). Fasting did not affect body composition, lipid panel parameters, and blood pressure of hypertensive subjects; males only presented lower body weight and hip circumference during Ramadan. Blood glucose was significantly higher during Ramadan. Fasting significantly increased HRV during the afternoon period. Conclusions. Ramadan intermittent fasting reduces cardiac stress among hypertensive patients controlled by and adherent to hypertensive medication, without affecting their hypertensive state.

The impact of rabbits on a grazing system in eastern New South Wales. 2. Sheep production

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 917 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. S. Fleming ◽  
J. D. Croft ◽  
H. I. Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
The Body ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Short Term Experiment ◽  
The Impact

Much research, time and money have been invested in the control of rabbits in Australia, yet the relationship between rabbit density and livestock production losses has not been quantified. We experimentally investigated the variations in sheep production parameters caused by 4 densities of rabbits, 0, 24, 48 and 72 rabbits/ha. Medium to strong wool merino wethers were run at a constant stocking rate in replicated plots with rabbits at 4� different densities. Sheep liveweight and body condition and wool production variables were measured over 3�years. Low to medium densities of rabbits were not found to reduce liveweights of wethers, whereas wethers run with the high density of rabbits were significantly lighter. The presence of rabbits reduced the body condition of sympatric sheep with the lowest body condition recorded at the high rabbit density. Mean greasy fleece weights, wool yields and clean-fleece weights were significantly different between densities of rabbits. Wethers run with the high rabbit density grew less wool than the wethers run with the other 3 densities of rabbits. The cumulative gross return per ha from wool production was highest for the medium rabbit density and lowest at high rabbit density. At the conclusion of this short-term experiment, the presence of some rabbits enhanced returns from wool production because of lower fibre diameter and comparable clean-fleece weights of fleeces grown at low and medium rabbit densities. These production characteristics might have been caused by synergistic effects on pasture growth or a sheep stocking rate that was too conservative for the prevailing seasonal conditions. At high rabbit density, competition for pasture between rabbits and sheep overrode possible synergistic and understocking effects. The economic implications of the presence of rabbits on merino sheep production are discussed.

Opposing Roles of Antimicrobial Peptides in Skin Cancers

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanisa Kiatsurayanon ◽  
Ge Peng ◽  
François Niyonsaba
Keyword(s):  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Cancer Biology ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Immune Defense ◽  
The Body ◽  
Skin Tumor ◽  
Host Defense Peptides ◽  
Skin Cancers ◽  
The Impact

: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as host defense peptides, are ubiquitous naturally occurring molecules secreted by various cell types of the body. In the skin, AMPs serve as a first-line innate immune defense against exogenous microorganisms, and they orchestrate adaptive immune responses to exert several immunomodulatory functions. Emerging evidence indicates that AMPs not only contribute to certain inflammatory skin diseases but also play a role in skin tumor carcinogenesis. Available data support the hypothesis that AMPs possess both pro-tumor and anti-neoplastic properties. Although inconsistent observations reported by multiple studies make it challenging to summarize the precise roles of AMPs in cancer, the differential expression of AMPs in skin cancers, such as the increased expression of human beta-defensins in squamous cell carcinoma and the ability of cathelicidin LL-37 to induce malignant melanoma cell invasion, implies they have procancer activities. On the other hand, the observation that certain AMPs show cytotoxic activity against cancer cells of the colon and kidney suggests their inherent antitumor properties. In this review, we describe the roles and mechanisms of AMPs in skin cancer development. We believe that further research is needed to elucidate the impact of these AMPs in skin cancer biology and to explore their potential roles as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and as novel therapeutic targets.

scholarly journals The Impact of Ramadan Fasting on the Reduction of PASI Score, in Moderate-To-Severe Psoriatic Patients: A Real-Life Multicenter Study

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Damiani ◽  
Abdulla Watad ◽  
Charlie Bridgewood ◽  
Paolo Pigatto ◽  
Alessia Pacifico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plaque Psoriasis ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Mtor Inhibitors ◽  
Intermittent Fasting ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Ramadan Fasting ◽  
Tnf Blockers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Pasi Score ◽  
The Impact

Fasting during the month of Ramadan consists of alternate abstinence and re-feeding periods (circadian or intermittent fasting). Nothing is currently known on the impact of this kind of fasting on psoriasis. A sample of 108 moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis patients (aged 42.84 ± 13.61 years, 62 males, 46 females) volunteered to take part in the study. A significant change in the “Psoriasis Area and Severity Index” (PASI) score before and after the Ramadan fasting (mean difference = −0.89 ± 1.21, p < 0.0001) was found. At the multivariate regression, the use of apremilast (p = 0.0009), cyclosporine (p = 0.0003), phototherapy (p = 0.0015), interleukin-17 or IL-17 blockers (p < 0.0001), and tumor necrosis factor or TNF blockers (p = 0.0107) predicted the PASI score before the Ramadan fasting. Disease duration (p = 0.0078), use of apremilast (p = 0.0005), and of mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR inhibitors (p = 0.0034) resulted in independent predictors of the change in the PASI score before and after the Ramadan fasting. The consumption of cyclosporine (p < 0.0001), phototherapy (p = 0.0015), IL-17 blockers (p < 0.0001), mTOR inhibitors (p = 0.0081), and TNF blockers (p = 0.0017) predicted the PASI score after the Ramadan fasting. These findings reflect the influence of dieting strategy, the biological clock, and circadian rhythm on the treatment of plaque psoriasis.

scholarly journals Mammalian Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: From Structure to Function

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edson X. Albuquerque ◽  
Edna F. R. Pereira ◽  
Manickavasagom Alkondon ◽  
Scott W. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Drugs Of Abuse ◽  
Electric Organ ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Rich Diversity ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Impact

The classical studies of nicotine by Langley at the turn of the 20th century introduced the concept of a “receptive substance,” from which the idea of a “receptor” came to light. Subsequent studies aided by the Torpedo electric organ, a rich source of muscle-type nicotinic receptors (nAChRs), and the discovery of α-bungarotoxin, a snake toxin that binds pseudo-irreversibly to the muscle nAChR, resulted in the muscle nAChR being the best characterized ligand-gated ion channel hitherto. With the advancement of functional and genetic studies in the late 1980s, the existence of nAChRs in the mammalian brain was confirmed and the realization that the numerous nAChR subtypes contribute to the psychoactive properties of nicotine and other drugs of abuse and to the neuropathology of various diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and schizophrenia, has since emerged. This review provides a comprehensive overview of these findings and the more recent revelations of the impact that the rich diversity in function and expression of this receptor family has on neuronal and nonneuronal cells throughout the body. Despite these numerous developments, our understanding of the contributions of specific neuronal nAChR subtypes to the many facets of physiology throughout the body remains in its infancy.

scholarly journals Dietary Patterns, Carbohydrates, and Age-Related Eye Diseases

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2862
Author(s):  
Sarah G. Francisco ◽  
Kelsey M. Smith ◽  
Gemma Aragonès ◽  
Elizabeth A. Whitcomb ◽  
Jasper Weinberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Eye Diseases ◽  
The Body ◽  
Intermittent Fasting ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Ocular Diseases ◽  
Health Span ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Impact

Over a third of older adults in the U.S. experience significant vision loss, which decreases independence and is a biomarker of decreased health span. As the global aging population is expanding, it is imperative to uncover strategies to increase health span and reduce the economic burden of this age-related disease. While there are some treatments available for age-related vision loss, such as surgical removal of cataracts, many causes of vision loss, such as dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), remain poorly understood and no treatments are currently available. Therefore, it is necessary to better understand the factors that contribute to disease progression for age-related vision loss and to uncover methods for disease prevention. One such factor is the effect of diet on ocular diseases. There are many reviews regarding micronutrients and their effect on eye health. Here, we discuss the impact of dietary patterns on the incidence and progression of age-related eye diseases, namely AMD, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Then, we focus on the specific role of dietary carbohydrates, first by outlining the physiological effects of carbohydrates on the body and then how these changes translate into eye and age-related ocular diseases. Finally, we discuss future directions of nutrition research as it relates to aging and vision loss, with a discussion of caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, drug interventions, and emerging randomized clinical trials. This is a rich field with the capacity to improve life quality for millions of people so they may live with clear vision for longer and avoid the high cost of vision-saving surgeries.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on Children and Young Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review With Emphasis on the Potential of Intermittent Fasting as a Preventive Strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hala K. Elmajnoun ◽  
MoezAlIslam E. Faris ◽  
Suma Uday ◽  
Shaun Gorman ◽  
James E. Greening ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Intermittent Fasting ◽  
Ramadan Fasting ◽  
Children And Young Adults ◽  
The Impact

Background: The world is still struggling to control the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The level of uncertainty regarding the virus is still significantly high. The virus behaves differently in children and young adults. Most children and adolescents are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. They generally have a very good prognosis. However, it is not well-known whether children and young adults with type 2 diabetes are at risk of getting a severe infection of COVID-19. Many Muslim children with type 2 diabetes have been performing dawn to dusk fasting during the month of Ramadan, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of this on their health has not been well investigated. Previous studies in adults have suggested that intermittent fasting may be beneficial in different ways including reversal of type 2 diabetes and prevention of COVID-19 infection.Objective: The primary aim of this narrative review is to summarise the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and young adults with type 2 diabetes, and to identify the knowledge gaps in the literature. It also explores the potential of intermittent fasting in reversing the pathogenesis of diabetes and highlighting how this approach could prevent these patients from developing chronic complications.Methods: This narrative review has been produced by examining several databases, including Google Scholar, Research Gate, PubMed, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (EBSCO), and Web of Science. The most common search terms used were “COVID-19 AND Children”, “SARS-CoV-2 AND/OR Children”, “COVID-19 AND Diabetes” “COVID-19 Epidemiology”, “COVID-19 AND Ramadan fasting”, “COVID-19 and Intermittent fasting.” All the resources used are either peer-reviewed articles/reports and/or official websites of various media, governmental and educational organisations.Results: Having reviewed the currently limited evidence, it has been found that the incidence of COVID-19 among children with type 2 diabetes seems to be not much different from children without diabetes. However, these patients are still vulnerable to any infection. Several studies have reported that prevention programmes such as intermittent fasting are effective to protect these groups of patients from developing any complications. Moreover, observing Ramadan fasting as a type of intermittent fasting could be beneficial for some children with established diabetes, prediabetes and people at risk.Conclusion: Children and young adults with type 2 diabetes are not at risk of severe COVID-19 infection as the case in adults with diabetes. More research is needed to identify the impact of COVID-19 and to investigate the efficacy and safety of intermittent fasting, including Ramadan fasting, among these age groups. Implementing these cost-effective programmes may have a great impact in minimising the incidence of diabetes. Moreover, this could be effective particularly at prediabetes stage by preventing these people from going onto develop type 2 diabetes and taking medications for the rest of their life and protecting people from complications linked to disease and infection.

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