Ramadan fasting advice from pro Ali packs a real punch
ROCHDALE pro boxer Muhammad Ali has teamed up with Diabetes UK to support those in the Muslim community living with diabetes during Ramadan and ensure the occasion is marked safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ramadan began on around April 23 (Thursday) and runs for 29 or 30 days. The Qur’an requires Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset.
There are exceptions, and people who are ill or have medical conditions – including those with diabetes - do not have to fast. However, some people still choose to do so.
This year, Ramadan also falls when the suspected peak of the Covid-19 pandemic could take place in the UK, which has prompted Diabetes UK to remind those marking the occasion to do so safely by adhering to social distancing rules and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions by fasting in a healthy way.
Local boxer Muhammad lives with type 1 diabetes, meaning he cannot produce insulin, and has filmed a new video to share the charity’s five key tips on staying well during Ramadan.
He said: “Ramadan is a special time for the Muslim community, but for those with diabetes there are increased risks and it’s important that everyone does their best to stay fighting fit during this pandemic – in order to help the NHS.
“As a boxer with diabetes I always say I’m just like any other ordinary person and that life is not about waiting for the storm to pass by; but learning to weather the storm. These five top tips are easy to do and follow and make living with diabetes during Ramadan that little bit safer.”
The charity’s five tips are: don’t fast if you are unwell or have any coronavirus symptoms; if you do choose to fast, include more slowly absorbed foods (low GI), like basmati rice and dhal, along with fruit and vegetables in your diet; if you already check your blood sugar levels, do this more than usual during your fast; when you break the fast, have only small quantities of food, avoiding only eating sweet or fatty foods; and to stay at home and refrain from visiting family, friends or the mosque during the holy month.
Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
Daniel Howarth, Head of Care at Diabetes UK, said: “If you have diabetes, fasting can risk aggravating complications associated with the condition, such as poor vision, heart or kidney disease, hypoglycaemia and diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA) – conditions that can require emergency hospital treatment.
“If you’re fasting and you feel that you are having a hypo, you must break your fast and take some sugary fluids followed by starchy food as otherwise you will harm your body and may need medical attention. You can find further advice on our website.
“If you’re showing any symptom of COVID-19, our advice would be not to fast.”
Diabetes UK emphasises that anyone who experiences serious diabetes complications like hypoglycaemia (extreme low blood sugar) should seek medical advice and not let worries about catching coronavirus allow problems to get worse.
Detailed information from the charity for anyone living with or affected by diabetes during the coronavirus pandemic can be found at: www.diabetes.org.uk/ coronavirus.