Intermittent Fasting: A New Cure for Type II Diabetes?
According to the World Health Organization, diabetes is one of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. Unfortunately, around 10% of the population in America and Canada has diabetes, specifically type 2 diabetes. One common treatment option is bariatric surgery, which is associated with risks. Additionally, a variety of medications are often prescribed to manage type 2 diabetes, but these fail to prevent the progression of the disease. To help combat this problem, a clinic in Canada tested a new treatment option: intermittent fasting.
To explain their experiment, it is important to first understand diabetes. In the human body, an organ called the pancreas is responsible for secreting a hormone known as insulin. Insulin’s job is to transfer blood glucose (commonly referred to as blood sugar)—the energy that comes from food—into cells so they can utilize that energy to perform cellular processes. Diabetes occurs when the human body stops producing insulin or does not utilize it well. This prevents glucose from getting into cells and causes it to build up in the blood. High glucose levels in the blood lead to health problems, such as heart disease and nerve damage. In general, there are three types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. The main focus of the Canadian study was on type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of diabetes.
To explain their experiment, it is important to first understand diabetes. In the human body, an organ called the pancreas is responsible for secreting a hormone known as insulin. Insulin’s job is to transfer blood glucose (commonly referred to as blood sugar)—the energy that comes from food—into cells so they can utilize that energy to perform cellular processes. Diabetes occurs when the human body stops producing insulin or does not utilize it well. This prevents glucose from getting into cells and causes it to build up in the blood. High glucose levels in the blood lead to health problems, such as heart disease and nerve damage. In general, there are three types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. The main focus of the Canadian study was on type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of diabetes.
Diets low in calories and refined carbohydrates are important for reducing insulin levels.
Image Source: RitaE
Doctors at the Intensive Dietary Management clinic in Toronto, Canada hypothesized that intermittent fasting, an eating pattern characterized by cycles of eating and not eating, would help stop the progression of type 2 diabetes and even reverse it. During the experiment, three men—aged between 40 and 67—followed an intermittent fasting regimen to test this hypothesis. Each patient had type 2 diabetes and was taking various medications, including insulin, to help manage their disease. Two of the patients followed alternating-day 24 hour fasts, in which they would eat once every 24 hours on every other day. The other patient followed a tri-weekly 24 hour fast, in which he would intermittently fast three days a week of his choice instead of strictly every other day. When fasting, each patient was allowed to drink low-calorie fluids like water or broth and eat one very low-calorie meal. When patients were not fasting, researchers recommended a diet low in sugar and refined carbohydrates to minimize blood glucose levels and insulin secretion. Within a month, all patients eliminated the need to take insulin. One of the patients was able to stop taking three out of four diabetic drugs while the other two were able to stop taking all of their medications. Additionally, they lost between 10-18% of their body weight and experienced decreases in blood glucose levels.
Although the results of the experiment were overwhelmingly positive for these patients, it is worth mentioning that it only involved three males out of the entire population. For this reason, it is still unclear whether intermittent fasting will have the same effect for all who suffer from this disease, which affects men and women all over the world. It is also important to take into consideration that the patients did not just eat less, but they also changed the content of their diets. However, with the added benefits of weight loss and reduction in blood sugar levels, intermittent fasting may be a promising way to prevent obesity-related health risks. Regardless of the suggested results, individuals should always consult a health professional before trying new diets.
Although the results of the experiment were overwhelmingly positive for these patients, it is worth mentioning that it only involved three males out of the entire population. For this reason, it is still unclear whether intermittent fasting will have the same effect for all who suffer from this disease, which affects men and women all over the world. It is also important to take into consideration that the patients did not just eat less, but they also changed the content of their diets. However, with the added benefits of weight loss and reduction in blood sugar levels, intermittent fasting may be a promising way to prevent obesity-related health risks. Regardless of the suggested results, individuals should always consult a health professional before trying new diets.
Featured Image Source: stevepb
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