Medical professionals across UAE healthcare institutions are advocating for strategic physiological preparation beginning weeks before Ramadan to mitigate common fasting-related challenges. According to specialists, the initial days of fasting frequently trigger headaches, fatigue, dehydration, and energy depletion as bodies adapt to altered nutritional patterns.
Dr. Bhanuprakash Kadaba Bhaskar, Medical Director at Medeor Hospital Dubai, emphasizes that optimal preparation should commence six to eight weeks ahead for individuals with chronic conditions, while healthy individuals require two to four weeks of gradual adaptation. “Sudden dietary shifts adversely impact bodily functions, necessitating systematic nutritional transition rather than abrupt restriction,” he notes.
Nutritional preparation should prioritize complex carbohydrates from whole grains, oats, and brown rice for sustained energy release, complemented by high-fiber vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Adequate protein intake is crucial for preventing muscle catabolism during extended fasting periods.
Critical preparatory measures include reducing refined sugars and heavy fatty meals that destabilize metabolic equilibrium. Dr. Bhanuprakash cautions that “overconsumption during non-fasting hours exacerbates next-day fasting exhaustion through metabolic disruption.”
Caffeine management represents another vital consideration. Abrupt cessation triggers severe withdrawal symptoms including headaches and irritability. Experts recommend gradual reduction one to two weeks pre-Ramadan, substituting refined sugars with complex carbohydrates to maintain glycemic stability.
Chronobiological adaptation through meal timing adjustments helps synchronize digestive rhythms with suhoor-iftar schedules. Dr. Haseena N M, Consultant Internal Medicine at Lifecare Hospital Musaffah, explains that “gradual adjustment enables smoother hormonal and energy utilization transitions during fasting.”
Hydration strategies require particular attention, with clinicians clarifying that tea, coffee, and soft drinks potentially exacerbate fluid loss. Optimal hydration involves distributing eight to twelve glasses of water between iftar and suhoor, avoiding excessive consumption at single sittings.
Medical consultation remains imperative for chronic conditions patients, with physicians emphasizing that fasting should never compromise health integrity. Proper planning enables safe fasting practices while prioritizing physiological well-being.