People with Comorbidities Can Still Fast, Here's a Nutritionist's Advice

Illustration of a comorbid patient who wants to fast. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - For people with comorbid diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, fasting often raises its own concerns. However, fasting can still be done safely as long as it is balanced with proper diet and monitoring of health conditions.

Clinical nutrition specialist from the University of Indonesia, Dr. dr. Inge Permadhi, MS, SpGK (K), explained that patients with co-morbidities who fast can adjust their consumption patterns by replacing disease-triggering foods with healthier options and according to their respective body conditions.

"Hypertension is one of the causes because there is too much salt, which means that he is fasting or not fasting, reduce salt. One of the ways to replace the position of sodium or salt is potassium, which is most abundant in fruits and vegetables. So reduce the salt but increase the amount of vegetables and fruits," said Inge as quoted by ANTARA.

He added that diabetics also need to pay attention to the type of carbohydrates consumed. Foods based on simple carbohydrates such as white rice and processed flour should be limited, and replaced with more stable complex carbohydrates in affecting blood sugar levels.

Regarding nutritional composition, Inge suggests that the intake of complex carbohydrates is in the range of 50-60 percent, with an additional protein of around 10-15 percent, and less than 30 percent of total daily food intake.

"So the components must be there, including in it there must also be vegetables and fruits as a source of vitamins, minerals and also water. Eat as usual, but it means that only lunch is missing, which means that in the dawn you have to eat well and when breaking the fast you also have to eat well," he said.

Especially for diabetics, Inge reminded that they should not consume syrup and dates excessively during breaking the fast because it can trigger a spike in blood sugar. As an alternative, he recommends consuming fruit juice that contains natural sugar.

In addition to food arrangements, Inge also reminded the importance of recognizing warning signs during fasting. Patients with hypertension who experience severe headaches or excessive stress that trigger an increase in blood pressure are advised to stop fasting and immediately take blood pressure lowering drugs.

The same applies to diabetics. If blood sugar levels drop below 80 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) while fasting, fasting should be stopped and patients are advised to eat sweet foods such as chocolate.

Conditions of blood sugar that is too low can cause the body to feel weak to the risk of losing consciousness.

Inge also emphasized the importance of continuing to take medication regularly during sahur and breaking the fast, as well as consulting a specialist in internal diseases to ensure the body's readiness before fasting.