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In recent years, intermittent fasting has been gaining more and more popularity. Although for many it is only a good way to lose weight and improve the general condition of the body. Some studies suggest that eating this type of diet can have a key impact on the health of people with type 2 diabetes.
- Intermittent fasting is the process of consuming a small amount of calories on a regular basis or not consuming food at all for a certain period of time
- The available research shows that intermittent fasting can reduce or even eliminate the need for medication in people with type 2 diabetes
- However, more research is needed, and patients should consult a diabetologist before starting this type of diet
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Intermittent fasting involves eating a reduced calorie diet and forgoing food on designated days. However, it is very important that the meals consumed in the so-called “nutritional window”, i.e. the period in which we eat food, are wholesome, contain large amounts of fiber and healthy protein.
There are several methods of using intermittent fasting. One is eating regularly five days a week and restricting food to 500-600 calories a day for the other two days. The methods of introducing total fasting also include maintaining an 8-hour eating window and a 16-hour fast, or maintaining a 24-hour fast 2-3 times a week.
Intermittent fasting primarily reduces body weight. However, a review of studies prepared by US scientists suggests that this type of diet may help people with type 2 diabetes safely reduce or even remove the need for medication.
- Insulin resistance: if left untreated, it leads to diabetes. But it is possible to turn back from this path
Insulin resistance – cause, complications, treatment
People with type 2 diabetes have very high blood glucose levels and is therefore also called hyperglycaemia. The causes of hyperglycaemia include, among others, reduced secretion of the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels, and reduced sensitivity of the body’s tissues to this hormone – known as insulin resistance. This condition can cause a number of serious complications, including dramatic weight gain, menstrual disorders, high blood pressure, and kidney failure. Despite introducing regular exercise and a balanced diet, a large proportion of people with type 2 diabetes also need to take medications to lower their blood glucose levels.
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However, researchers at Central Michigan University College of Medicine in Mount Pleasant have prepared a review of clinical trials and case series related to type 2 diabetes and intermittent fasting published between 1990 and 2020. In their opinion, most of these drugs raise insulin levels in the blood, which may result in unintended negative consequences. “While it works to reduce hyperglycemia in these patients, the idea of treating insulin resistance by increasing insulin could be counterproductive, leading to the requirement of ever increasing amounts of medication over a long period of time,” they write in the review. Researchers indicate that people taking medications can gain weight and develop insulin resistance. Among other things, they have a lower level of adiponectin, a hormone that counteracts diabetes and inflammation. In addition, these people may have elevated levels of leptin, also known as the satiety hormone, making them increasingly resistant to this hormone.
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Intermittent fasting – type 2 diabetes
Some people with type 2 diabetes can minimize the need for diabetes medications by continuously restricting their caloric intake. However, the authors of the review note that people may find it difficult to maintain their daily calorie restriction for long periods of time. Intermittent fasting may be an ideal solution for these people. In their review, the researchers cited, among other things, a clinical trial in which three people with type 2 diabetes were followed over several months with a diet of three 24-hour fasts per week. During the study, all participants had significantly reduced HbA1c levels, which is a measure of the average amount of glucose in their blood. All three people also lost weight and were able to stop insulin treatment within a month of starting the diet. These individuals also reported that the diet was manageable for them, and neither of them chose to stop at any time.
Michael Albost and Jesse Bakke in their work entitled Intermittent Fasting: Is There a Role in Diabetes Management? Literature review and guidance for primary care physicians »focused largely on finding features of the disease that could be improved by an intermittent fasting diet. It turns out that they are:
- weight loss
- decrease in insulin resistance
- lower leptin levels
- increased levels of adiponectin
See also:
- Nutrition in type 2 diabetes. Carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the diet for diabetics
Intermittent fasting – is it for everyone?
While current evidence suggests that intermittent fasting is an effective non-drug treatment for type 2 diabetes, scientists point to some limitations and the need for further research.
“There is a considerable amount of research that has been done on the effects of intermittent fasting on improving body composition and metabolic health, but most of the data so far comes from animal studies that were not included in this review. While there are many case reports showing a significant improvement in glucose control in diabetic patients, many randomized controlled trials do not include diabetic patients. » – they write.
Scientists also emphasize that Before beginning intermittent fasting, people with diabetes should always consult a doctor, and drug restriction should be under the constant supervision of healthcare professionals.
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