By Natasha Dado
The Arab American News
A
ccording to Dr. Ziad Berri, fasting during
the holy month of Ramadan can be un-
healthy for some. Dr. Berri, who has a pri-
vate practice in Dearborn and specializes in
internal medicine, offered advice on who he
thinks should refrain from fasting to avoid health
complications.
Dr. Berri said the pregnant shouldn''t fast be-
cause the lack of sufficient proper nutrition could
lead to birth defects. Berri thinks the pregnant
should never be denied fluids or food. In accor-
dance to Islam a pregnant woman can make up
the fast after giving birth. Diabetics who take in-
sulin or multiple medications should avoid fast-
ing. Non-insulin using diabetics who take a few
pills might be able to fast depending on their doc-
tor's opinion. Dr. Berri says those who take pills or
have blood sugar that isn't too high don't have to
worry about health complications as much. "Dia-
betics who aren't on insulin can take their pills
with suhur in the morning and in the evening
when they break their fast, so with this group I
think there is a way around it," Dr. Berri said. "Di-
abetics who are on multiple medications or take
insulin two times a day and have to eat in order to
take the insulin shouldn't fast."
Anyone experiencing severe kidney stone
problems should avoid fasting because they're
generally required to drink lots of water according
to Dr. Berri. "Those who have kidney stone prob-
lems shouldn't fast," Dr. Berri said.
Cancer patients should refrain from fasting as
well. "People with cancer shouldn't fast, they
need the proper nutrition that can help their im-
mune system fight the disease," Dr. Berri said.
If you are elderly and recovering from a serious
health condition you should avoid fasting. "The
elderly who have been in the hospital for a long
time and just came home two weeks before Ra-
madan and are still healing shouldn't fast," Dr.
Berri said. People with Crohn's disease who expe-
rience abdominal pain, cramps, weight loss and
are taking medication as a result are exempt from
fasting. Dr. Berri says people with the disease
can't afford to lose protein.
Dr. Berri advises children under age 12 not to
fast. "This goes back to religion, if you are younger
than 10-years-old you shouldn't fast, so maybe 12-
years and up can," Dr. Berri said.
Avoid over indulging on food to make up for
what you missed out on while fasting. Dr. Berri
warns binging can lead to weight gain. "You
shouldn't think you have to compensate for what
you didn't eat during the day." Dr. Berri said.
Those who have jobs involving manual labor may
not be able to fast.
If you choose not to break fast during suhur
you shouldn't exercise heavily. Dr. Berri said not
all people who skip suhur can handle heavy work-
outs before iftar dinner. Dr. Berri suggests limit-
ing workouts to 30 minutes a day. Women who
breast feed should avoid fasting. "You do not want
to starve the baby when he or she needs milk," Dr.
Berri said.
Ramadan is a great time to lose weight and
detoxify your body. "Sometimes people ask what
the benefit of fasting is, and that is its detoxifica-
tion for the body. It cleanses your body,” Dr. Berri
said.
Who should bewary of fasting?
Dr. Ziad Berri
Ramadan
20
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