Did you know that what you eat not only affects your gut microbiome but may also influence your vaginal microbiome? In this daughter study of Isala, we investigate the impact of Ramadan fasting on both the vaginal and gut microbiome, and how they interact with each other. Would you like to learn more about your microbiome and how your diet influences it? Read more about the Rufaida project here!
For group 1 of this study, we are looking for participants:
- 18 years or older
- Proficient in Dutch
- Not pregnant
- Not breastfeeding
- Willing to bring samples toour Isala lab in Antwerp at four different time points
For group 2 of this study, we are looking for participants:
- 18 years or older
- Proficient in Dutch
Results from the first Rufaida research phase
What is the impact of fasting on our health? In the first phase of the Rufaida study, we looked for enthusiastic Muslim women willing to complete weekly questionnaires before, during, and after Ramadan. Thanks to extensive (social) media attention, 245 women signed up to participate! A thousand times thanks for this incredible enthusiasm ❤️. By analyzing the completed questionnaires, we uncovered some fascinating insights. For example, we found that women from 34 different cultural backgrounds participated in the Rufaida project! These included Moroccan, Moroccan-Flemish, Flemish, Turkish, Algerian, Egyptian, and many more. We also discovered that our participants were highly diverse in age, ranging from 18 to 63 years old. During Ramadan, participants reported feeling most connected to their family and household, while feeling less connected to colleagues and fellow students. Additionally, the questionnaires revealed that participants experienced slightly more mild digestive discomfort during fasting compared to before and after Ramadan. However, no differences in vaginal health complaints were reported. These findings provide a strong foundation for further research into the effects of Ramadan fasting—this time, by analyzing vaginal and stool samples!
What do we expect from you?
The study begins on February 17, 2025. In this study, we will examine two study groups. If you register for Group 1, you will collect weekly vaginal and stool samples for eight consecutive weeks. You can pick up your sample collection kit the week before the study begins (February 10–14). Additionally, you will be asked to complete a detailed weekly questionnaire about your vaginal, gut, mental, and overall health, as well as your diet in the past days. At four specific time points, you will also be asked to take an extra vaginal and stool sample. After collecting these samples (marked as purple time points in the figure below), we will gladly welcome you at our lab in Antwerp to drop them off. If you register for Group 2, you will receive a weekly questionnaire for eight weeks about your vaginal, gut, mental, and overall health, as well as your diet in the past days.
The samples under the magnifying glass
As soon as we receive the samples in our lab, our enthusiastic team of researchers gets to work right away! In this study, we analyze the microbiome of your vagina and gut at all different time points. This allows us to compare the periods before, during, and after fasting. Our goal is to identify which bacteria become more or less prevalent while fasting. Additionally, we want to investigate whether there is a link between your diet and the bacteria present in the vagina. To uncover this, we carefully examine your questionnaire responses alongside your samples to identify possible connections. We are also interested in the effects of Ramadan on mental health and the sense of togetherness.
Rufaida Explores the Connection Between Gut and Vaginal Health
All the organs in our body work closely together by exchanging information and substances. This means that organs do not function in isolation but are part of a larger whole. We also believe there is a connection between the vaginal and gut microbiome, known as the gut-vagina axis. In our very first Isala research phase, we discovered a group of typical gut bacteria in the vagina, suggesting a possible link between these two microbiomes. Now, we are curious to see whether changes in the gut microbiome can also lead to changes in the vaginal microbiome. For example, adjusting dietary habits can influence the gut microbiome, and we want to investigate whether beneficial vaginal bacteria, such as our favorite lactobacilli, might also be stimulated. That’s why we are focusing on a specific form of fasting, Ramadan fasting, to explore its impact on both the gut and vaginal microbiome!
The inspiration and name behind our Rufaida project: Rufaida al-Aslamia
Rufaida al-Aslamia is an iconic figure from the 7th century. She is recognized as the first female Muslim surgeon and nurse. In short, she was a true pioneer in the field of medicine and scientific advancement in early Islamic society. Moreover, she had a significant influence on the development of healthcare. Under her leadership, the first Islamic healthcare center was established, where she trained teams of young women and girls to nurse the sick, provide first aid, and deliver emergency care. Through this, she founded the first training program for female nurses. Her story beautifully reflects the relationship between Islam and healthcare and highlights the Islamic contribution to medicine.
Our enthusiastic team of researchers!
Behind every study is an enthusiastic team of researchers! Sarah Van den Bosch, a PhD student, is leading this sub-project of Isala with the help of Dr. Sarah Ahannach (who has been involved from the start of Isala). Of course, they can count on familiar Isala faces such as Professor Sarah Lebeer (the one and only!), Professor Veronique Verhoeven (Isala’s doctor), and Professor Charlotte de Backer (the expert in communication sciences). They are supported by Isabel Erreygers and Inas Rahou! As always at Isala, the motto is: Teamwork makes the dream work! 🙂 We would also like to thank Biocodex Microbiota Foundation Belux for the grant that makes it possible to launch the second phase of the Rufaida project!