This is an automatically translated article.
Intermittent fasting (intermittent fasting) is a type of diet that consists of limiting meals to a certain period of time, followed by a fixed period of eating very little or nothing. Fasting can last from a few hours to several days. So are intermittent fasting and type 2 diabetes safe?
1. What is intermittent fasting?
Fasting is when you stop eating or drinking (or both) for a period of time. People can fast for many reasons such as:
A religious act; Preparation of medical procedures in advance; Efforts to lose weight; Improve health. Intermittent fasting (also called intermittent fasting) is a form of eating that includes periods of eating little or no food, followed by eating as usual. Unlike many other diets, intermittent fasting often focuses on limiting the time you eat and drink rather than restricting the type of food you eat.
Intermittent fasting is often used to lose weight through calorie restriction. It may offer certain benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes, but there are also some associated risks.
2. Types of Intermittent Fasting for Diabetics
Although there are many different types of intermittent fasting, no type of fasting has been shown to work best for people with diabetes. Here are some popular intermittent fastings:
16:8 Intermittent Fasting: Followers of this diet will eat meals within 8 hours, then fast for 16 hours. Many people fast from 8 p.m. to noon the next day, keeping their diet from midday to 8 p.m.; Intermittent fasting 5:2: A mode where you eat normal meals for 5 days, then have 2 days of fasting (you eat less than 500 calories/day); Alternating Day Fasting: A mode in which you eat nothing or only a small amount for 24 hours, followed by 24 hours of eating as usual; Early time-restricted diets: Eat in the morning and early afternoon, followed by fasting that lasts all day and night.
3. Benefits of Intermittent Diet for Diabetes
Diabetic fasting if done safely can offer certain benefits. If this eating plan helps with weight loss, the person may be able to reduce the amount of diabetes medication they are taking.
Some patients can stop using insulin after fasting continuously for about 1 month or so (according to a small study). However, more research is needed to determine if intermittent fasting can help most people with diabetes stop using insulin.
Some other potential benefits of intermittent fasting for diabetics include: Improved insulin sensitivity, lower blood pressure, decreased appetite, reduced oxidative stress, increased chemical oxidation fat. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), more studies are needed to determine the long-term benefits of intermittent fasting on glycemic control and diabetes complications.
4. Is intermittent fasting safe for people with type 2 diabetes?
Intermittent fasting may also pose some risks for diabetics. These are:
If you take insulin or medication and suddenly eat much less than usual, your blood sugar may drop too low - hypoglycemia. According to the ADA, low blood sugar can cause the following symptoms: Tremor, confusion, irritability, heart arrhythmia, anxiety, sweating, dizziness, chills, low energy, blurred vision, drowsiness, nausea,...
Another potential risk of intermittent fasting with diabetes is high blood sugar - hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia can occur if you eat more than usual (when you are especially hungry after a long period of fasting). High blood sugar can increase the risk of diabetes complications such as: Nerve damage (neuropathy), eye damage and blindness, heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, stroke, etc. ..
So, before starting any diet or weight loss plan, you should consult your doctor to make sure the plan is safe for you.
5. Some questions about the effects of intermittent fasting on diabetes
5.1 Can Intermittent Fasting Cause Diabetes? Some animal studies suggest that intermittent fasting may affect the pancreas and insulin resistance (but more research is needed to determine the impact of this diet on diabetes in humans).
The study looked at what happened to rats when they fasted every other day for 12 weeks. The results showed that the mice had increased belly fat, damaged pancreatic cells that secrete insulin, and showed signs of insulin resistance.
More studies are needed to determine if intermittent fasting may increase the risk of diabetes in humans.
5.2 Does intermittent fasting help with diabetes? For some people, intermittent fasting can help put diabetes into remission (possibly due to weight loss).
A 2018 study in 3 people with type 2 diabetes took insulin and fasted at least 3 times a week. Within a month, they no longer needed insulin. In addition, they also had improvements in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and HbA1c levels. After a few months, each person lost about 10% of their body weight.
This study was too small to draw conclusions about how intermittent fasting affects the majority of people with diabetes. However, a larger 2018 study found that nearly 50% of type 2 diabetics who lost weight were able to stop taking their diabetes medication and go into remission.
Since intermittent fasting can be a way to cut calories, it helps people with diabetes lose weight and aids in remission. However, other weight loss methods also work to reverse diabetes. Since everyone is different, it is best for patients to consult with their doctor/nutritionist before choosing the right weight loss method.
6. Tips for intermittent fasting when you have diabetes
When you have diabetes and are thinking about trying intermittent fasting, you should consider the following tips:
Consult your doctor about adjusting your diabetes medication or insulin dose. You may need to change your diabetes treatment when trying a diet that affects blood sugar; Monitor blood sugar. During a long period of not eating, blood sugar can be low, so you need to check your blood sugar level often; Pay attention to your mood: Many people find that restricting their food intake makes them more irritable, anxious, and difficult to deal with stress; Monitor your energy levels: Fasting can make you tired, especially if you're driving or operating equipment; Balance carbohydrate intake: Your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which can lead to blood sugar spikes. When eating, you should try to balance the amount of carbohydrates in the meal by eating more vegetables, protein, and reducing starch to avoid high blood sugar. Intermittent fasting can be a way to lose weight and help you manage your diabetes. However, the person may experience hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Therefore, when starting any diet plan, you should also talk to your doctor for advice, helping to lose weight safely and sustainably.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
Reference source: healthline
