During Ramadan, Muslim patients on kidney dialysis change what they eat, which can affect their health. Researchers studied 102 Malaysian dialysis patients to understand how different eating patterns during Ramadan changed important blood chemicals in their bodies. They found that eating certain food combinations—like quick processed foods or chicken-based meals—caused bigger changes in phosphate and potassium levels, which are important for kidney patients to control. Understanding these eating patterns helps doctors give better advice to Muslim kidney patients who want to fast safely during Ramadan.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How different eating patterns during Ramadan fasting affect blood chemical levels in people with kidney disease who need dialysis
  • Who participated: 102 Muslim patients in Malaysia who receive kidney dialysis treatment and observed the Ramadan fast. Researchers measured their nutrition at two points: before Ramadan started and during the fourth week of fasting.
  • Key finding: Eating quick processed foods or chicken-based meals during Ramadan caused bigger increases in phosphate and potassium levels in the blood—chemicals that kidney patients need to carefully control. Eating more home-cooked traditional foods was linked to better albumin levels (a protein that shows good nutrition).
  • What it means for you: If you’re a kidney dialysis patient who fasts during Ramadan, the foods you choose matter significantly. Working with a dietitian to plan meals around home-cooked and traditional foods rather than quick processed options may help keep your blood chemicals safer during fasting.

The Research Details

This was a six-week study that followed 102 Muslim kidney dialysis patients in Malaysia during Ramadan. Researchers measured each patient’s nutrition and blood chemicals at two specific times: two weeks before Ramadan began and again during the fourth week of fasting. Patients kept detailed records of everything they ate for three days, which researchers analyzed to identify eating patterns. Instead of just looking at individual foods, the researchers used special statistical methods to see how combinations of foods worked together to affect blood chemistry. They identified five different eating patterns: home-cooked foods, chicken-based meals, carbohydrate-heavy foods, traditional dishes, and quick processed foods.

Most nutrition studies look at single foods or nutrients, but real eating happens in combinations. By studying food patterns together, researchers can see how the actual meals people eat affect their health. This approach is especially important for kidney patients during Ramadan because fasting changes when and what people eat, and these changes happen all at once. Understanding which food combinations cause the biggest changes helps doctors give practical advice that fits how people actually eat.

This study has several strengths: it followed real patients over time rather than just comparing groups, it included detailed food records from actual eating, and it used advanced statistical methods to find patterns. The study was conducted in one country with a specific population, so results may not apply equally to all Muslim kidney patients worldwide. The study measured blood chemicals at only two timepoints, so researchers couldn’t track exactly when changes happened during Ramadan.

What the Results Show

The research identified five distinct eating patterns during Ramadan. Two patterns—eating chicken-based meals and eating quick processed foods—were strongly linked to increases in serum phosphate, a mineral that kidney patients must keep controlled. Patients who ate the most chicken-based meals or quick foods had the biggest phosphate increases. The quick-foods pattern also caused bigger changes in potassium levels, another mineral kidney patients monitor carefully. In contrast, patients who ate more home-cooked traditional foods showed better preservation of serum albumin, a protein that indicates good nutritional status. This suggests that traditional eating patterns protected patients’ nutrition better during fasting than modern quick-food choices.

The study found that different food combinations affected different blood chemicals in different ways. The carbohydrate-based eating pattern didn’t show the same harmful effects as the quick-foods pattern, suggesting that the type of carbohydrate matters. The home-foods pattern showed protective effects for albumin levels, meaning patients who stuck with traditional home cooking maintained better protein nutrition. These findings suggest that the specific ingredients and preparation methods in food combinations matter more than just the food groups themselves.

Previous research showed that Ramadan fasting affects kidney patients’ nutrition, but most studies looked at single nutrients or foods. This study builds on that knowledge by showing that food combinations matter more than individual foods. The findings support existing guidelines recommending that kidney patients choose whole foods over processed options, but add new evidence specific to Ramadan fasting. The study confirms that phosphate and potassium control remains challenging during Ramadan, even when patients try to eat well.

The study only included Malaysian Muslim patients, so results may differ in other countries or cultures with different food traditions. Researchers only measured blood chemicals twice, so they couldn’t see exactly when changes happened or how quickly they occurred. The study didn’t include a control group of non-fasting kidney patients, so it’s unclear how much of the change is due to Ramadan specifically versus other factors. Patients reported their own food intake, which can sometimes be inaccurate. The study was relatively short (six weeks), so long-term effects remain unknown.

The Bottom Line

Kidney dialysis patients who observe Ramadan should work with a dietitian to plan meals emphasizing home-cooked and traditional foods rather than quick processed options. Focus on controlling phosphate and potassium by choosing fresh ingredients prepared at home. This recommendation is supported by moderate evidence from this study and should be discussed with your kidney care team. Confidence level: Moderate—the study shows clear patterns but was conducted in one population.

This research is most relevant to Muslim patients with kidney disease who receive dialysis and want to fast during Ramadan. It’s also important for dietitians and doctors who care for these patients. Non-Muslim kidney patients may still benefit from the general principle that home-cooked foods are better than processed foods. People with early-stage kidney disease (not yet on dialysis) should discuss Ramadan fasting with their doctor before making changes.

Blood chemical changes happened within four weeks of Ramadan fasting, suggesting that dietary choices affect kidney patients relatively quickly. Benefits from switching to home-cooked foods would likely appear within 2-4 weeks if changes are made at the start of Ramadan. However, these changes are not permanent—blood chemicals typically return toward baseline after Ramadan ends.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • During Ramadan, track daily phosphate and potassium intake by logging all foods eaten, noting whether each meal was home-cooked or processed. Record weekly blood test results for phosphate and potassium to see how eating patterns affect your specific numbers.
  • Create a Ramadan meal plan with your dietitian before fasting begins, focusing on specific home-cooked recipes that are low in phosphate and potassium. Use the app to set daily reminders to prepare meals at home rather than buying quick processed foods, and log each meal to stay accountable.
  • Set up weekly check-ins to review your food logs and identify which home-cooked meals kept your blood chemicals most stable. Compare weeks when you ate mostly home-cooked foods versus weeks with more processed foods. Share this data with your kidney care team to adjust your Ramadan plan if needed.

This research is for educational purposes and should not replace medical advice from your kidney care team. If you have kidney disease and want to fast during Ramadan, discuss this decision with your nephrologist (kidney doctor) and dietitian before starting. Blood chemical changes during fasting can be serious and require professional monitoring. Do not make major dietary changes without consulting your healthcare providers. This study was conducted in Malaysia and may not apply equally to all populations. Individual responses to fasting vary significantly based on your specific kidney condition, medications, and other health factors.