People have talked a lot about the health benefits of fasting, which means going without food for a long time or eating a lot less than normal. Is it safe for diabetics? Will it help them lose weight, keep their blood sugar stable, and maybe even take less medicine?
Perhaps. Some studies show that people with diabetes may benefit from fasting. This method is not used very often, though. The American Diabetes Association doesn’t think that fasting is a good way to control diabetes. The American Diabetes Association says that medical nutrition therapy and more physical exercise are examples of changes in behavior that can help people lose weight and take care of their diabetes.
You should know the risks of fasting, how to avoid them, and why people with diabetes should talk to their doctor before starting a fast.
Seasons for Fasting
Some fasts say you can’t eat at all. Intermittent fasting, on the other hand, means that you don’t eat at certain times but eat normally at other times.
Here are a few examples of plans for intermittent fasting:
I fast every other day. Every day of the week, you switch between eating your normal food and eating less than 600 calories. The famous 5:2 diet is also like this. On days 5 and 6, you eat your regular healthy food, but on days 2 and 3, you eat only 500 to 800 calories.
Time constrains spending. Getting all of the calories you need for the day in a set amount of time. On an 8-hour plan, you might only eat from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and then you might not eat again until 10 a.m. the next day.
Some people choose to fast for long periods of time for a number of reasons, including religious ones. On the other hand, if you have diabetes, going without food for more than 24 hours can be very dangerous.
Benefits
More study is needed to find out if it is safe in the long run. Most research on intermittent fasting has been done on middle-aged people who are overweight. We need to do more study to find out if it is safe for people of all ages and sizes.
Several studies show that fasting can be good for your health in general. For instance, inflammation could be reduced, weight loss could be made easier, and cholesterol levels could be kept in check. During a fast, your body may be better able to deal with glucose (blood sugar).
The American Diabetes Association says that people who are overweight or obese who lose weight can lower their A1c number (a measure of how well their blood sugar has been managed over the past two to three months) and their risk of getting heart disease. You don’t have to fast to lose weight.
Whether or not you fast can also change how much insulin you need to take. Some people with type 1 diabetes were able to use less insulin when they went on a fasting diet.
A number of organs that are affected by diabetes may also benefit from fasting. The liver stores glucose in the form of glycogen. Your body needs about 12 hours to break down glucose. If you don’t eat, your body will start to burn fat for energy. This helps to get rid of body fat. Also, it gives the glands that make insulin, the hormone that controls how much sugar is in the blood, a break.