Variaciones del ión potasio durante el ayuno del Ramadán. Resultados preliminares en jóvenes musulmanes / Changes of the potassium ion during the fast of Ramadan. Preliminary outcomes

Justificación y objetivos: El precepto islámico del Ramadán (R) impone a las personas que lo practican, importantes modificaciones fisiológicas y psicológicas, debido a las restricciones hídricas y dietéticas a las que se ven sometidos durante las horas diurnas a lo largo de un mes, estableciendo un modelo intermitente de ayuno absoluto, de naturaleza singular, particularmente cuando éste se lleva a cabo en sociedades multiculturales de tipo occidental, en las que no se producen ajustes horarios en las actividades diarias, que sí son habituales en los países de mayoría musulmana. Entre las modificaciones, por esta causa, destacan la activación de mecanismos de adaptación a la restricción hidrosalina, con consecuencias en la homeostasis de agua e iones plasmáticos. Por la relevancia de la cuestión y ante el escaso conocimiento de los efectos del (R) sobre el equilibrio iónico, se plantea como objetivo de este estudio, el análisis del comportamiento del ión potasio durante este mes de ayuno, con el fin de prevenir algunos problemas que pudieran afectar a la salud. Metodología: Se seleccionaron 10 jóvenes musulmanes, varones, sanos y con edades entre 18 y 25 años que realizaron el R y se analizaron parámetros bioquímicos e iones en sangre y orina, así como niveles plasmáticos de Renina y Aldosterona, una semana previa al R, primera y cuarta del periodo de ayuno y una semana después de finalizado éste. Resultados: Durante el mes del R, se produce, durante la mañana, un descenso de la excreción de potasio en orina lo que origina incrementos en la concentración plasmática de potasio; a lo largo de la tarde tiene lugar un aumento de su excreción que resulta más eficaz durante la cuarta semana del R. Discusión: Los cambios experimentados a nivel tubular que afectan a la disponibilidad de Na+, HCO3 - y pH, por efecto del R, parecen estar limitando la excreción del ión, a pesar de que se mantiene estimulado el sistema Renina-Aldosterona a lo largo del ayuno. Conclusión: Estos hallazgos ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de estudios específicos sobre la homeostasis de K+ durante el R, para dilucidar qué factores y mecanismos están determinando los incrementos observados en los niveles plasmáticos del ión (AU)

Background and aims: The Islamic precept of Ramadan (R), imposes on individuals who practice it important physiological and psychological changes due to water and dietary restrictions to which they are subjected during the day, over a month. This fact makes a singular constrat, particularly in multicultural Western societies, where there is no schedule adjustments in daily activities, which are common in predominantly Muslim countries. Among the changes, includes the activation of mechanisms of adaptation to the hydrosalin restriction, with consequences on the homeostasis of water and ion plasma. On the relevance of the issue and the limited knowledge of the effects of (R) on the ion balance, the aim of the present study is to analyze the behaviour of potassium ion for this month, in order to prevent some problems that may affect health. Methodology: We have selected 10 young Muslim healthy men, aged between 18 and 25 years who perform Ramadan. Then we have analyzed biochemical parameters including ions, in blood and urineanalysis, and also plasma levels of renin and aldosterone, one week before R, first and fourth week of R, and one week after the fasting. Results: During the month of R a decrease in potassium urine excretion by the morning is observed. The consequence of this fact is the increase of the levels in plasma concentration of potassium; throughout the afternoon, an increase in its excretion results more effective during the fourth week of R. Discussion: Changes in the availability of Na+, HCO3- and variability of pH, in the distal tubule, appear to be responsible for the potassium limited excretion observed during the fast of Ramadan. Conclusion: These finding put into consideration the need of further studies focussing on potassium homeostasis during Ramadan in order to determine which factors are implicated in the raised levels of K+ observed in plasma (AU)

[Changes of the potassium ion during the fast of Ramadan: preliminary outcomes]. / Variaciones del ión potasio durante el ayuno del Ramadán: resultados preliminares en jóvenes musulmanes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Islamic precept of Ramadan (R), imposes on individuals who practice it important physiological and psychological changes due to water and dietary restrictions to which they are subjected during the day, over a month. This fact makes a singular constrat, particularly in multicultural Western societies, where there is no schedule adjustments in daily activities, which are common in predominantly Muslim countries. Among the changes, includes the activation of mechanisms of adaptation to the hydrosalin restriction, with consequences on the homeostasis of water and ion plasma. On the relevance of the issue and the limited knowledge of the effects of (R) on the ion balance, the aim of the present study is to analyze the behaviour of potassium ion for this month, in order to prevent some problems that may affect health. METHODOLOGY: We have selected 10 young Muslim healthy men, aged between 18 and 25 years who perform Ramadan. Then we have analyzed biochemical parameters including ions, in blood and urine analysis, and also plasma levels of renin and aldosterone, one week before R, first and fourth week of R, and one week after the fasting. RESULTS: During the month of R a decrease in potassium urine excretion by the morning is observed. The consequence of this fact is the increase of the levels in plasma concentration of potassium; throughout the afternoon, an increase in its excretion results more effective during the fourth week of R. DISCUSSION: Changes in the availability of Na+, HCO3- and variability of pH, in the distal tubule, appear to be responsible for the potassium limited excretion observed during the fast of Ramadan. CONCLUSION: These finding put into consideration the need of further studies focussing on potassium homeostasis during Ramadan in order to determine which factors are implicated in the raised levels of K+ observed in plasma.

Modificaciones dietéticas, en jóvenes musulmanes que practican el ayuno del Ramadán / Dietary modifications, engaged in young muslims of fasting

La práctica del precepto islámico del Ramadán (R), impone a las personas que lo practican importantes modificaciones fisiológicas y psicológicas debido a las restricciones hídricas y dietéticas a las que se ven sometidos, lo que tiene una especial repercusión en el rendimiento físico e intelectual de los estudiantes musulmanes, particularmente en sociedades multiculturales de tipo occidental, en las que no se producen ajustes horarios, en las actividades diarias. Entre las modificaciones introducidas en los hábitos de vida, por esta causa, destacan los cambios dietéticos, tanto cualitativos como cuantitativos. Por la relevancia de la cuestión y ante el escaso conocimiento de los efectos del Ramadán en estudiantes adolescentes que viven en sociedades no islámicas, se plantea como objetivo de este estudio, el análisis de las modificaciones en macronutrientes, ocurridas durante el R, en un grupo de alumnos musulmanes de ambos sexos, con el fin de solucionar y prevenir algunos de los problemas que se plantean en este periodo. Material y método: Se seleccionaron 55 jóvenes musulmanes (24 hombres y 31 mujeres) con edades comprendidas entre 15 y 18 años, que realizan el R y se analizó la dieta mediante inventario de 3 días, una semana antes del ayuno y en la segunda semana durante éste. Resultados: En el R, no hay cambios significativos en la ingesta calórica de los hombres y sí en el de las mujeres. Se incrementa el consumo de carbohidratos y proteínas y desciende el de grasas. Discusión: Los cambios en R conducen a una dieta más ajustada a las recomendaciones nutricionales, y a esto parece haber contribuido el hecho de que los participantes llevaron a cabo sus comidas en el seno doméstico donde, a pesar del corte occidental de la población, se deja sentir una importante influencia de las tradiciones y hábitos magrebíes, por el contacto fronterizo con Marruecos (AU)

The practice of the Islamic precept of Ramadan (R) imposes to those who practice it important physiological and psychological changes due to the water and dietary restrictions they are subjected to, which has a particular impact on the Muslim students' physical and psychologicalperformances, particularly in multicultural Western societies, where there are no schedule adjustments in daily activities. Among the changes in lifestyle, consequently, the dietary changes are stressed, both qualitative and quantitative. Due to the importance of this issue and facing the limited knowledge the Muslim teenagers who live in non-Islamic societies have about the effects of Ramadan, it is suggested as main objective of this study the analysis of changes in nutrients during R in a group of Muslim students of both sexes, in order to solve and prevent some of the problems shown in this period. Materials and methods: 55 Muslim youngsters were selected (24 men and 31 women) aged between 15 and 18, who practise R; and the diet was analysed by inventory over 3 days, one week before fasting and in the second week during it. Results: In R there are no relevant changes in caloric intake. The consumption of carbohydrates and proteins is increased, and that of fat is decreased. Discussion: the changes in R lead to a diet more regulated to nutritional recommendations; and to this seems to have contributed the fact that the participants took their meals at home, where, in spite of the Western cut of the population, it is felt an important influence of North African traditions and habits, due to its border contact with Morocco (AU)

[Dietary modifications, in young Muslims engaged in Ramadan fasting]. / Modificaciones dietéticas, en jóvenes musulmanes que practican el ayuno del Ramadán.

UNLABELLED: The practice of the Islamic precept of Ramadan (R) imposes to those who practice it important physiological and psychological changes due to the water and dietary restrictions they are subjected to, which has a particular impact on the Muslim students' physical and psychological performances, particularly in multicultural Western societies, where there are no schedule adjustments in daily activities. Among the changes in lifestyle, consequently, the dietary changes are stressed, both qualitative and quantitative. Due to the importance of this issue and facing the limited knowledge the Muslim teenagers who live in non-Islamic societies have about the effects of Ramadan, it is suggested as main objective of this study the analysis of changes in nutrients during R in a group of Muslim students of both sexes, in order to solve and prevent some of the problems shown in this period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 55 Muslim youngsters were selected (24 men and 31 women) aged between 15 and 18, who practise R; and the diet was analysed by inventory over 3 days, one week before fasting and in the second week during it. RESULTS: In R there are no relevant changes in caloric intake. The consumption of carbohydrates and proteins is increased, and that of fat is decreased. DISCUSSION: the changes in R lead to a diet more regulated to nutritional recommendations; and to this seems to have contributed the fact that the participants took their meals at home, where, in spite of the Western cut of the population, it is felt an important influence of North African traditions and habits, due to its border contact with Morocco.