Diabetes and Intermittent Fasting: What you need to know

You've probably heard a lot of people talk about fasting these days, saying it's good for your health and weight loss . Maybe it's related to your religious beliefs. But is it really safe for someone with diabetes to fast? Can it help control blood sugar and reduce medication? Although some studies suggest that it may be beneficial for diabetics, it's not yet a mainstream treatment. If you're thinking about trying fasting, let's talk about the risks, how to avoid them, and most importantly, why you should talk to your doctor before doing it .

What is this Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is a very popular diet plan these days. Simply put, it involves eating only at certain times of the day or week and not eating anything at all during the rest of the day. The idea is to stop eating regularly and get your body used to a lower calorie intake. In some methods, you don't eat at all. But in intermittent fasting, you fast and then get back into a normal eating pattern.

There are three main methods for this. Let's see what they are.

Is fasting really good for diabetes?

The long-term effects of this are still being researched, but it appears to have some short-term benefits. For example, it may help reduce inflammation in the body, aid weight loss, and lower cholesterol levels .

It also helps improve the way our body manages glucose (sugar). If you are overweight, losing weight can help lower your A1c level (a test that shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months).

Think about it this way, when we don't eat for about 12 hours, our body uses up the glucose (Glycogen) stored in the liver. Then it burns the fat in the body for energy. This also helps in weight loss. It also gives the liver and the pancreas, which produces insulin, a little rest. In some studies, type 1 diabetics who followed this method have been able to reduce their insulin doses.

Can diabetes be completely cured with this method?

No,There is no conclusive evidence that it can cure diabetes completely. Some recent studies have shown that it can help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and improve blood sugar control. Some studies even suggest that it can help control diabetes and put it into remission. However, these studies have been conducted on very small groups of people.

So, if you're interested in this, the bottom line is this: Choose the method that's right for you and talk to your doctor to come up with a plan to do it safely.

What are the risks of fasting for someone with diabetes?

It's normal to feel hungry, a little irritable, and tired when you don't eat. But if you have diabetes, there are some more serious risks.

• Hypoglycemia : This is the biggest danger for someone with diabetes who is fasting. Especially if you are taking medication like insulin, your blood sugar levels can drop even more dangerously when you are not eating. This can cause symptoms like shakiness, sweating, dizziness, and even loss of consciousness.
• Hyperglycemia: This risk can occur when you break the fast after fasting. Especially if you eat a lot of carbohydrate-rich foods at once, your blood sugar levels can rise uncontrollably.
• Malnutrition: If you don't eat properly for several days, your body may not get the protein, vitamins, and minerals it needs.
• Dehydration : The foods we eat, such as soups, yogurt, and watermelon, contain a lot of water. When we fast, we lose water, which can lead to dehydration. Some diabetes medications (e.g., SGLT-2 inhibitors) can increase this risk.

Be sure to keep these things in mind before attempting to fast!

If your doctor allows this, be careful about these things.

• Talk to your doctor first: This is the first and most important step. He or she is the best person to tell you whether this is right for you based on your health condition. He or she can also advise you on changing your medication dosage if necessary.
• Watch for signs of low blood sugar: If you feel shaky, sweaty, or have trouble concentrating, these could be signs of low blood sugar. If this happens, stop fasting immediately.Do what you normally do when your blood sugar is low, such as eating a glucose gel or drinking a sweet drink.
• Be careful what you eat while breaking the fast: Don't eat a lot of carbohydrate-rich foods at once. Eat a balanced, healthy diet.
• Avoid excessive exercise: Excessive exercise while fasting can cause blood sugar levels to drop further, leading to hypoglycemia. Ask your doctor what kind of exercise is appropriate.
• Drink plenty of water and fluids: Drink plenty of calorie-free fluids (water, unsweetened tea, black coffee) during the fasting period.
• Check your blood sugar levels regularly: When you first start this method, check your blood sugar levels regularly to see how your body is responding. It is very helpful to use a `continuous glucose monitoring system` if possible.

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