Do people with diabetes need to fast?

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Many people think that fasting can help lose weight and control diabetes. However, if you are thinking of trying fasting to see how effective it is, consider it, because the risks that can be encountered are very large.

1. The link between fasting and diabetes There is a lot of talk about fasting, i.e. not eating for a period of time or drastically cutting down on food intake for better health.
Some studies suggest that fasting can be helpful for people with diabetes, but it is not a mainstream treatment. The American Diabetes Association does not recommend fasting as a technique for diabetes management. Lifestyle changes, including nutritional therapy, health care and physical activity, are fundamental to weight loss and good control of diabetes, the association says.
2. How does intermittent fasting work? Intermittent fasting is an intermittent fasting plan where you fast and then eat normally. Some types of intermittent fasting plans include:
Alternate fasting during the day: You eat your normal diet one day, then eat 600 fewer calories the next day and repeat this pattern for during the week. The popular 5:2 eating plan is related to each other, in which you eat a regular healthy diet 5 days a week and cut about 500 to 800 calories the other 2 days. Time Limiting: This is when you eat all of your calories for the day within a specific number of hours. For example, with an 8-hour plan, you can eat between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and then don't eat again until 10 a.m. the next day. Some people fast for several days or even weeks. But not eating for more than 24 hours when you have diabetes can be dangerous.

3. The Benefits of Fasting Most of the studies on fasting have been done in laboratory animals. Scientists are studying its effects in people, including those with diabetes. Although the initial findings are promising, they are uncertain and more evidence is needed.
Fasting can have a number of general health benefits. For example, it may reduce inflammation, help with weight loss, and lower cholesterol. Fasting can also improve the way your body manages glucose (blood sugar) and reduce insulin resistance. One very small study included three men with type 2 diabetes for 10-25 years. With medical supervision, the men fasted every other day or 3 days a week for a month, they were all able to stop using insulin, and in less than a year they were able to cut back or stopping other diabetes medications. In another small study, 10 obese men with type 2 diabetes who followed a time-restricted eating plan found they had improved fasting sugar levels and weight loss within 6 weeks. Even so, we also need results from larger studies to confirm those findings and to see how long the results last.
It's hard to determine which fasting plan is best or how often you have to follow it. The American Diabetes Association notes that if you're overweight or obese, losing weight can help lower your A1c levels (a measure of blood sugar control over the past 2-3 months) and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Fasting can also affect how much insulin you need. In one study, people with type 1 diabetes who followed a fasting plan were able to reduce their insulin dose. Several organs that play a role in diabetes may also benefit from fasting. The body stores extra glucose in the form of glycogen in the liver and takes about 12 hours to use that glycogen. If you don't eat, your body will start burning fat instead of glycogen for energy and that helps with weight loss. This also gives your liver and pancreas a rest (where insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar) is made.
4. The Risks of Fasting When you fast, you'll probably be hungry (at least at first). You may also feel drowsy and irritable. Not eating gives you headaches, and if you've been fasting for more than a day or longer, your body may not be getting the nutrients it needs without supplements.
But the biggest risk of fasting if you have diabetes is dangerously low blood sugar (called hypoglycemia). That's especially true if you take medications like insulin to control your diabetes. If you don't eat, blood sugar levels are lower and the medicine can lower them even more, leading to hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar will make you shiver, pass out, or even go into a coma. When you forgo a fasting plan, you may again be more likely to develop excessively high blood sugar. Doctors call this hyperglycemia. This only happens if you eat too many carbohydrates. If fasting causes you to eat too many carbohydrate-rich foods, it may not be the right plan for you.

5. What to look out for before trying fasting? Talk to your doctor before starting a fasting plan. If you have type 1 diabetes, other health problems from your diabetes and your risk of low blood sugar will make it possible for your doctor to recommend against fasting.
If your doctor says you can try fasting, ask if you need to check your blood sugar more often or adjust your diabetes medication during and after the fast. Besides you also need to pay attention:
Watch for signs of low blood sugar. If you start to feel shaky, sweaty, or confused, your blood sugar may be too low. Stop fasting immediately and resume your normal regimen to treat hypoglycemia. For example, eat a glucose gel or sugary drink followed by a small, well-balanced meal when blood sugar returns to normal. Be careful about what you eat after fasting. Because eating too many carbohydrates after fasting can cause blood sugar levels to become too high. Choose healthy, balanced meals and snacks Extra caution is required. Do not do difficult exercises while fasting. Hard exercise can cause blood sugar levels to drop which in turn leads to hypoglycemia. Ask your doctor what physical activities are right for you. Keep enough water. Having diabetes puts you at risk of becoming dehydrated, which can make blood sugar more difficult to control. Drink plenty of water and calorie-free beverages when you're fasting.
It can be seen that nutrition plays a very important role for diabetics, so when starting any diet, patients should consult a doctor for appropriate indications. .
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Reference source: webmd.com