A LEADING doctor is hoping to reassure Asian diabetics that they CAN fast during Ramadan -- as long as they take special precautions with their medication.

Dr Stephen Liversedge, chairman of Bolton's Professional Executive Committee, is concerned that many diabetics in the town's Asian communities will be afraid of the effects on their health through taking part in the religious fasting during Ramadan, Islam's holiest month.

Instead, Dr Liversedge claims that fasting during daylight hours will be beneficial to those suffering from the blood glucose disorder, especially type two diabetes -- a condition which is prevalent in the ethnic community.

However, people suffering type one diabetes and type two requiring insulin, should consult with their GP first to consider how insulin needs to be adjusted.

A minority of those which have "brittle" diabetes -- people whose control of their sugar levels is erratic (and child diabetics) -- are advised not to take part in fasting.

The new leaflet, produced by health leaders at the Primary Care Trust and backed by the Bolton Council of Mosques, gives a detailed list of who is exempt from fasting and these include sick people with permanent or acute illness, elderly people whose health may be affected through fasting, travellers, menstruating women, pregnant women, breast feeding mothers and people with a mental illness.

The leaflet is being sent to GPs, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and muslim patients giving them the plain speaking facts on how to deal with the holy month.

They will be urged not to send out appointments to Muslim patients during the holy month "unless absolutely necessary" and answers common medical questions such as giving advise on anaesthesia, dental treatment and the use of inhalers for asthmatics.

Welcoming the leaflet, Dr Liversedge said: "Fasting can actually improve diabetic control for those receiving tablets if the blood glucose is measured and the dosage adjusted accordingly.

"It is a culturally sensitive issue and many patients may wrongly feel that their GP will prohibit fasting, even though there may not be associated risks. This leaflet will explain issues that doctors, dentists, nurses and other people dealing with Muslim patients and patients themselves may face."