Does Intermittent Fasting Support Diabetes Control?
A study published in EatingWell, based on research in JAMA Network Open, showed that intermittent fasting helps diabetics lose weight and improve HbA1c levels compared to traditional diets, though consulting a doctor is essential.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
EatingWell magazine published a report based on a recent scientific study published in JAMA Network Open, which revealed that following an intermittent fasting regimen can deliver tangible health benefits for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
The study, one of the most extensive in this field, involved close monitoring of a group of patients over six months, with researchers comparing the effects of intermittent fasting against a traditional calorie-restricted diet.
The report noted that participants who followed intermittent fasting, which restricts eating to a daily window of 8 to 10 hours, lost an average of 5.7 kilograms of body weight—nearly double the amount lost by the group adhering to the traditional calorie-restricted diet, whose average weight loss was only 3.2 kilograms.
In this context, the report highlighted that the results showed a significant improvement in HbA1c levels among the intermittent fasting group, with a decrease of 0.9 percent compared to a 0.5 percent decrease in the other group.
The study emphasized that this difference is both statistically and clinically significant, as lower HbA1c levels are directly linked to a reduced risk of long-term diabetes complications, such as cardiovascular disease and nerve damage.
The report also outlined potential mechanisms explaining these positive outcomes, which go beyond simply reducing food intake, including:
• Greater improvement in insulin sensitivity compared to traditional diets, helping cells use glucose more efficiently.
• Enhanced cellular autophagy, a natural process by which the body cleanses damaged cells and regenerates them, playing a pivotal role in metabolic health.
• A notable reduction in chronic inflammation levels in the body, a key contributing factor to the development of diabetes and its complications.
• Easier long-term adherence to the regimen, as patients do not need to continuously and precisely calculate calorie intake.
However, drawing on expert warnings, the report cautioned that intermittent fasting is not a one-size-fits-all solution and stressed the importance of consulting a specialist before starting, particularly for patients taking blood sugar-lowering medications, to avoid any severe and dangerous drops in glucose levels.
It also noted that the study focused on time-restricted eating rather than other forms of intermittent fasting, such as alternate-day fasting.
