In patients with ulcerative colitis, fasting during Ramadan for 14 to 15 hours per day is linked to a small but measurable increase in disease activity symptoms, especially in individuals aged 30 or older or those with higher baseline levels of fecal calprotectin, without corresponding changes in blood or stool markers of inflammation.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Community contributions welcome

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Effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting on inflammatory markers, disease severity, depression, and quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: A prospective cohort study

Cohort Study

Human

2022 Apr 24

This study found that Muslims with ulcerative colitis who fasted during Ramadan felt worse symptoms, especially older people and those who already had higher inflammation markers — even though blood and stool tests didn’t show more inflammation. So yes, fasting made them feel sicker, even if their body’s inflammation didn’t spike on tests.

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Source Study

Effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting on inflammatory markers, disease severity, depression, and quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: A prospective cohort study

Score: 33

DOI: 10.1186/s12876-022-02272-3

Similar Assertions

People with ulcerative colitis who fast during Ramadan may experience worse symptoms, but this is not due to increased inflammation in the body, since standard inflammation markers do not change. Other factors like changes in when medications are taken, sleep patterns, or diet may be responsible.

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In people with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, fasting during Ramadan for one month does not lead to measurable changes in two biomarkers of inflammation: C-reactive protein in the blood and calprotectin in the stool.

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People with ulcerative colitis who have elevated levels of fecal calprotectin before Ramadan fasting are more likely to experience a worsening of their symptoms during the fasting period.

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In people with Crohn’s disease, fasting during Ramadan does not lead to measurable changes in blood markers of inflammation or symptom severity over one month.

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During Ramadan fasting, people with ulcerative colitis may experience worsening symptoms, while those with Crohn’s disease typically do not show a change in symptoms, suggesting that fasting affects these two conditions differently.

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