The Effects of Greek Orthodox Christian Fasting during Holy Week on Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Parameters in Overweight Adults.
Kalliopi GeorgakouliFotini SiamataDimitrios DraganidisPanagiotis TsimeasKonstantinos PapanikolaouAlexios BatrakoulisAthanasios GatsasAthanasios PouliosNiki SyrouCharikleia K DeliIoannis G FatourosAthanasios Z JamurtasPublished in: Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) (2022)
This study investigated whether Greek Orthodox Christian fasting during Holy Week can change body composition and cardiometabolic parameters in overweight individuals, and whether these changes are maintained one week after fasting cessation (FC). Body composition and physiological and biochemical parameters were measured before, immediately after (n = 23) and one week after FC (subgroup of n = 10). Fasting resulted in decreased body weight, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index and total body fat, as well as blood glucose, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Nutrition analysis showed a decreased protein and saturated fat intake during fasting. FC (n = 10) resulted in a decreased carbohydrate intake and increased protein and cholesterol intake compared to fasting. Fasting resulted in decreased blood glucose, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels but returned to pre-fasting levels after FC. Greek Orthodox Christian fasting during Holy Week is beneficial for body composition and some aspects of cardiometabolic health. However, these favourable changes are not maintained one week following fasting.
Keyphrases
- blood glucose
- body composition
- resistance training
- glycemic control
- bone mineral density
- body weight
- blood pressure
- insulin resistance
- body mass index
- low density lipoprotein
- physical activity
- type diabetes
- healthcare
- adipose tissue
- metabolic syndrome
- small molecule
- mass spectrometry
- amino acid
- binding protein
- postmenopausal women
- human health
- health information
- protein protein