KARACHI: Citizens should have a well-balanced, healthy diet, rich in fibre but low on the glycemic index and in salt, during Ramazan, a health expert said during a lecture held on Wednesday, advising citizens, especially patients to undergo pre-Ramazan medical assessment to minimise the chance of any health risk in the holy month.
He was speaking at a lecture — Medication and Lifestyle Adjustments during Ramazan: The Month of Unlimited Blessings — at LEJ National Science Information Centre, Karachi University (KU).
The event was organised by Dr Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD) in collaboration with Sindh Innovation Research and Education Network (Siren).
“Although some people lose weight during Ramazan, most people regain the lost weight in a few weeks after the month. There is a need for structured, consistent lifestyle changes to prevent rapid post-Ramazan weight gain,” said Dr Mohammed Rehan Omar, senior cardiologist, at the programme.
Expert highlights conditions under which fasting may be unsafe
He rejected the myth that exercise during the holy month was unsafe or ineffective, emphasising that regular physical activity was essential for maintaining strength and cardiovascular health, even during Ramazan.
“People who wish to exercise should preferably do so after Taraweeh prayers. This will help in digestion,” he said.
He warned against excessive consumption of carbohydrate and fat-rich foods, particularly at Sehri and Iftar, and recommended nutritional counselling to help people remain healthy and well-hydrated during Ramazan.
Discussing who should not fast, he said patients with poorly controlled hypertension, recent acute coronary syndrome or myocardial infarction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with obstruction, severe valvular disease, severe heart failure, poorly controlled arrhythmias, and those at high risk of fatal arrhythmias should avoid fasting unless advised otherwise by their doctors.
“Patients with kidney disease, however, may fast under medical supervision with continuous monitoring of their kidney or graft function,” he said.
Expressing serious concern over Pakistan’s high burden of diabetes, he said the country had the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world. Globally, at least 463 million people are living with diabetes, he added.
He informed the audience that the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Diabetes and Ramazan (DaR) International Alliance had developed comprehensive guidelines for fasting patients with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
He pointed out that Ramazan offered an opportunity to address obesity, a major cause of death worldwide and in Pakistan.
“The World Health Organisation figures show that 58.1 perc ent of Pakistanis are overweight, with 43.9pc obese,” he said, referring to some other estimates that suggest 72.3pc of Pakistanis are overweight, with obesity affecting 58.1pc of the population, while 40pc of children in Pakistan suffer from obesity.
“Food is the most abused anxiety drug. Fasting is the most forgotten cure and exercise is the most underused antidepressant,” he remarked during the lecture.
He also expressed concern over Pakistan’s rising cardiovascular disease rates, driven by unhealthy lifestyles, stressing that this situation was leading to a higher number of deaths.
However, he noted that active participation in Ramazan could help reduce depression, anxiety and stress, while improving memory and overall mental well-being.
Earlier, Prof Muhammad Raza Shah, Director of the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), KU, welcomed the guest speaker.
Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2026
