Yes, for most people.Â
Fasting, while an ancient and worldwide religious observance, has also become a popular weight loss tool during the last 15 years.
And now, with the introduction of weight loss injections like Mounjaro, some people fast for religious observance or because they want to boost their weight loss.Â
If you are taking Mounjaro and fasting, be aware of how it can affect your body so that you can combine the two safely without becoming unwell.Â
Mounjaro works by suppressing your appetite so you don’t eat as much as you would normally. When you do eat, the drug slows down the speed at which the stomach empties which makes you feel fuller for longer.
The difference between Intermittent Fasting and Fasting for Ramadan
Intermittent fasting means you eat within certain times. A typical example is 16: 8 fasting where you fast for 16 hours and eat within an 8-hour window.
This timetable can be adjusted to suit your lifestyle. During the fasting period, calorie-free drinks are allowed.
During Ramadan, which lasts a month, Muslims must fast from dawn (suhoor) to dusk (Iftar), which in the UK is approximately between 11 and 14 hours. During this time, no food or drink is permitted.Â
Typically, these hours mean you can eat and drink between around 6pm and 8.30 pm until 4.30 – 5am.
The difference between the two affects how you should administer your Mounjaro dose and how you might feel while you are fasting.
Sometimes the injections cause nausea. It’s just one of the side effects you may or may not have. While fasting, if you administer the injection just before you can eat and drink, it might help to reduce the nausea.
For intermittent eaters on the 16:8, this might mean just before noon. For those fasting for Ramadan you might want to administer your injection around half an hour before you can break your fast.
The main risks for a person who doesn’t have any other underlying medical conditions is:
The biggest risk, and this is more for you if you are fasting for Ramadan, is dehydration. Make hydrating a priority when you can drink. Boost your hydration with electrolytes.
Eat foods that have a high-water content. Cucumber, peppers, lettuce and courgette are good choices, as well as fruits such as strawberries, apples, pineapples, oranges and peaches.
Eating little and often is also advisable if you are restricted to a specific time window. Being able to eat a big meal is often difficult while using Mounjaro, but if you do it, it may well overload your digestive system and leave you with side effects such as diarrhoea and vomiting or constipation. The key is to eat little and often if you can, or have several small plates of food over time.
When the body doesn’t get enough calories, it doesn’t only burn fat. It also turns to muscle as a secondary source of energy, and this results in a loss of muscle mass.
After a month of fasting, the loss of muscle mass may not be as severe as it can be for those who are fasting intermittently for a long time, but it is still something that should be remembered.
To avoid muscle loss, it is important to eat enough protein (around 1.4 grams for every kilo you weigh). So, if you weigh 85 kilos, you should be eating around 119 grams of protein each day.
High protein meals include poached eggs, oatmeal or Greek yoghurt, or curry made with chicken and chickpeas, salmon and lentils or kebabs and quinoa.
If you are a diabetic, taking Mounjaro and fasting, you should also be aware that fasting may cause your blood sugar to drop to a level that’s dangerous. This is called hypoglycaemia.
 If you experience the symptoms of low blood sugar, such as feeling shaky, being dizzy or feeling faint, drink fruit juice, something fizzy with sugar, or take a glucose tablet, even during Ramadan.
If you want to use weight loss injections, but you’re not sure how they work, then join VSM Pharmacy’s weight loss clinic.
You will have a consultation to discuss your weight loss goals and your suitability for the medication. We’ll also supply a support pack with lifestyle and dietary advice and continuing support to review your progress and adjust your medication if necessary.
You can book online, give us a call on 01276 21002 or pop into the pharmacy and speak to a member of staff.
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