UAE dieticians urged people to fast for the holy month of Ramadan as it might help them build their immunity but not to ignore the need for medical assistance and skip fasting in case they got infected with Covid-19 or felt its symptoms.

“The Covid-19 virus has infected millions of people around the world and killed thousands, especially people with immunodeficiency. Maintaining good hygiene and a strong immune system are considered effective preventive measures to fight the virus. Modern exercise training and proper nutrition are the most important factors to support the immune function,” said Sushma Ghag, a dietician at Aster Hospital Mankhool.

Dr. Haris Chundiyan Moochi, general practitioner, Aster Clinic, Abu Shagarah, said: “The Covid-19 vaccine can be taken while fasting because it will not break the fast as it’s been given intramuscularly.”

“It is better to stay away from observing fasting while you’re detected positive for Covid-19 and symptomatic as the patient might need to take medicines for treating their symptoms. If one is asymptomatic Covid-19 positive, they can continue to observe fasting,” added Dr. Moochi.

“There have been many studies on the effect of Ramadan fasting on the immune system, which have shown that fasting can restore the immune system,” explained Sushma. “The immune system in the human body is an organisation consisting of cells and molecules that play a role in defending against infections,” she added.

The doctors advised people to be mindful of their health and suggested them to avoid fasting in case they feel virus symptoms including fever, body ache, loss of olfactory senses, etc. Though they added that healthy people could go ahead with fasting as three days after fasting, the body starts producing new white blood cells, which helps in building immunity.

“There have been many studies on the effect of Ramadan fasting on the immune system, which have shown that fasting can restore the immune system,” explained Sushma. “The immune system in the human body is an organisation consisting of cells and molecules that play a role in defending against infections,” she added.E