Is Intermittent Fasting Safe For Diabetics? If you are a diabetic who is interested in the intermittent fasting diet, then this article will tell you about the potential risks involved with the diet and whether or not you should adjust your insulin levels if you plan on following it.
Here we will talk in detail about the effects of fasting on blood sugar and if intermittent fasting is safe or even okay for diabetics or not. So continue reading.
Check out more posts about Diabetic diet:
- Can Diabetics Eat Mango?
- Vegetables for Diabetics to Avoid.
- Best Diet for Type 2 Diabetes and Weight Loss.
- 7-day diabetic meal plan pdf
- Fast Food Breakfast For Diabetics
- Diabetic Exchange List of Foods.
- Is The South Beach Diet Good For Diabetics?
- What happens when you eat a lot of sugar with diabetes?
- 9 Ideas for Bedtime Snack to Lower Blood Sugar in the Morning
Is intermittent fasting healthy and safe for diabetics?
There is a lot of debate surrounding the topic of intermittent fasting, especially when it comes to whether or not it is safe for diabetics. Some people argue that intermittent fasting can help to regulate blood sugar levels, while others contend that it can be dangerous for people with diabetes.
The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Every person is different, and what works for one person may not work for another.
So, Intermittent fasting can be healthy and safe for some diabetics but not for others.
That being said, it is important to consult with a doctor before starting any new diet or exercise regime, especially if you have a chronic health condition like diabetes.
Even though there are many health risks for diabetics to fast for long time, there are also some advantages that includes:
Controlling blood sugar levels
The most significant advantage of intermittent fasting is that it can help to control blood sugar levels.
Studies have shown that people with diabetes who fast intermittently (meaning they eat small meals throughout the day rather than one large meal) tend to have better blood sugar control than those who don’t fast at all.
This is because intermittent fasting allows your body to switch from using glucose for energy to burning stored fat.
Intermittent fasting for diabetes weight loss
Intermittent fasting can also help to promote weight loss.
This is because when you fast, your body signals your brain to burn more calories.
So if you are a diabetic and want to try the intermittent fasting diet, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor first.
However, it’s important to note that intermittent fasting is not for everyone with diabetes. If you have serious blood sugar problems, then you should definitely avoid fasting altogether.
Intermittent fasting has negative effects on diabetics
One interesting study that was done to try and determine whether or not intermittent fasting affects diabetics health negatively. The study was about “Habituation of food intake with intermittent fasting .”
- In this study, they found that the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) increased in the bloodstream of the study participants after 10 days of being on an intermittent fasting diet.
- GLP-1 stimulates insulin secretion and is therefore a very important hormone for controlling blood sugar levels.
- When a study was done to determine the glycemic index of five different types of meals that were eaten on alternate days. They found that the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP -1) becomes active only when participants ate on alternating days.
- Other studies showed that an intermittent fasting diet can improve insulin sensitivity in diabetics as well as reduce their blood sugar levels by as much as 30% after a 12-week period. A study done in 2006 found that the non-diabetic subjects taking part in an intermittent fasting diet significantly reduced their insulin requirements by as much as 36% over a period of 12 weeks.
Can a diabetic fast for 24 hours?
A diabetic can fast for 24 hours, but should speak to a doctor before doing so. If you are diabetic the you need to monitor blood sugar levels and this type of fasting can increase their risk of developing low blood sugar.
Unfortunately, fasting can have several negative effects on diabetics, like:
- Trying to fast for long time (24 hours) can make you experience tiredness and weakness.
- Countering the ability to control blood sugar, especially if you depend on insulin to manage your blood sugar levels.
- In people with type 2 diabetes, IF increases the risk of hypoglycemia. People on certain diabetic medications, such as insulin, may be at a higher risk of this potentially fatal complication.
Does a low-carb diet cause low blood sugar?
Low-carb diets in general can lower blood sugar levels drastically due to the lack of carbohydrates. In a short period of time, low-carb diets can actually have dangerous effects on people with diabetes who are taking insulin. The risk of developing low blood sugar should be monitored by a doctor especially if you are following a particular diet.
However, if you are diabetic, you should consult your doctor about following a low-carb or intermittent fasting diet.
Check out Atkins low carb diet.
Metformin and intermittent fasting
These days metformin and intermittent fasting are two popular methods for weight loss. Metformin is a medication that helps to lower blood sugar levels. While intermittent fasting is an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting.
The problem with metformin and intermittent fasting is that in order to lose weight, your body has to be continually starved of carbohydrates.
For example, in the case of metformin, you have to take the medication continuously so that your body is always starving of carbohydrates. This can cause extreme weakness and lethargy.
Your body might not show any change if you are taking this medication, so if you do start it, you might be taking it for some time before you realize that it is not working.
In the case of intermittent fasting, if you do not eat anything for a long period of time, then it is very easy to become weak and lethargic because your body does not have food to fuel it. Intermittent fasting can make you feel weak, lethargic and unhealthy.
Will fasting for short periods of time raise blood sugar?
After going without food for a while, insulin sensitivity goes up and insulin levels go down. Because of these changes, blood sugar levels are better both when a person is fasting and soon after eating.