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is intermittent fasting good for diabetics?


Weight loss can reduce the risk of developing diabetes issues, and intermittent fasting may help.



While we may do intermittent fasting without harm, those with diabetes may be more susceptible to hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia due to variations in blood sugar during and after fasting intervals.



Intermittent fasting may, among other things, aid diabetics in losing weight, claims some research. Large dietary changes, however, may cause dangerous swings in blood sugar levels.



So, is intermittent fasting good for diabetics?



Continue reading to find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of intermittent fasting for type 2 diabetes.

Is intermittent fasting good for diabetics


Is intermittent fasting good for diabetics?


Intermittent fasting and diabetes. Is it safe? Is it dangerous should you do it well?



First of all, what is diabetes hyperglycemia is high sugar hypoglycemia is low blood sugar the purpose of the medication that a diabetic takes is to lower blood sugar and as one complication of this sometimes the medication can drive the blood sugar too low and you end up with hypoglycemia and so they give you these little sugar pill especially if you're a type 1 diabetic?



Now when you do Intermittent fasting you basically decrease the need for insulin you decrease the need for medication for diabetics now if you actually continue to take the same medication and do Intermittent fasting at the same time you are going to have problems because it's going to drive your blood Sugar's too low but the goal I would think which makes total logical sense is to be able to decrease the need for medication right without making sense decrease the Need for metformin for insulin and other diabetic medications.



Because even insulin has side effects when you take too much insulin by the way the insulin that a diabetic is taking is not the same as your body is supposed to produce it's a genetically modified version of your own insulin and that's a whole other topic but the point is that there are side effects from taking too much insulin even if it's regulating your blood.



When a diabetic type one for example consumes a large carbohydrate meal, they're going to need more insulin to deal with that excessive car right, but they don't consume as many carbs, they're going to need less insulin when they do intermittent fasting the Nitra insulin goes down.



Now the question is it dangerous well it's only dangerous if number one you don't do it gradually and you don't adjust your medication you don't get help from your doctor to make those adjustments with the quantity of medication so when you're doing in Intermittent fasting and you're eating fewer carbs the need for this medication goes down make the adjustments you'll have you won't get hypoglycemia.



Now your blood sugar will come down but you're not going to feel bad because you're going to actually your body's going to be running on ketones and fat fuel and fewer blood sugars so even if your blood sugars are let's say for example 70 or even 60 and you're feeling fine so you really have to look at the whole picture and understand what's happening and not just kind of think with high blood sugar and low blood sugar so, in reality, intermittent fasting is not only an essential part of healing the pancreas but giving you the potential to Come off your medications of course with the help of your doctor.



Is intermittent fasting safe for diabetes?


People with diabetes may face certain dangers from intermittent fasting.



Your blood sugar might drop dangerously low if you use insulin or other drugs and abruptly consume significantly less than normal. We know it is hypoglycemia.



The American Diabetes Association (ADA) states that hypoglycemia can cause symptoms, such as:



Trembling, disorientation, irritation, a quick heartbeat, an anxious sensation, perspiration, chills nausea, faintness, drowsiness, poor energy, and dizziness.



High blood sugar levels are yet another potential risk of intermittent fasting in diabetics. It's called hyperglycemia.



If you eat more than you usually do, which may be likely to happen if you're famished after a time of fasting, hyperglycemia can result.



Your chances of developing diabetic complications include the following:



- eye disorders and blindness; - nerve injury (neuropathy).



- Kidney illness.



- Heart condition.



- The stroke.



- Elevated blood pressure.



Consider scheduling a consultation with a doctor or dietitian who is part of your diabetes care team before beginning any diet or weight reduction program to ensure that it is healthy for you.



Procedures to Follow Before Trying the Popular Diet Plan



Before attempting intermittent fasting, have the following in mind:



Consult your physician. Consult your doctor before beginning IF to come up with a safe plan and modify any medication dosages as necessary. Insulin users should use extra caution: According to the CDC, those who are taking it and restricting their food may be more susceptible to low blood sugar, which can cause symptoms like dizziness and disorientation as well as potentially fatal ones like seizures or loss of consciousness. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can be dangerous in diabetics if ignored, according to the American Diabetes Association.



Choose a strategy that works for youIntermittent fasting has several plans. Some people only eat during specific times of the day or restrict their caloric intake to two or three days a week. Stricter programs call for fasting for 7 or 14 days at a time, up to a total of 36 hours at a time, but Sheth says that something does not normally advise the latter for those with type 2 diabetes. Finding a strategy you can stay with over the long run is key.



Be ready for adverse reactions. At least initially, headaches, cramps, constipation, and diarrhea are typical. However, if you're feeling very ill, stop and advise Dr. Fung. Even though you may feel hungry, you shouldn't be sluggish or sick.



Eat healthy foods. Even if you are eating less, you should still follow a balanced diet that includes whole, unprocessed foods, such as non-starchy vegetables, protein, and healthy fats. You should also take a multivitamin and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and headaches. Your blood sugar will remain stable and you can reduce or control your weight with the aid of a nutritious diet.



Restrict your expectations. Everyone responds differently to IF, and your medical team might not think it's a suitable fit for you. Before attempting IF, it's vital to speak with a specialist since going without food for extended periods of time when you have diabetes might be risky, or at the very least, may not produce the desired outcomes.



Get assistance. If given the go-ahead to attempt intermittent fasting, sticking to the plan while doing it with a buddy or signing up for an online community or social support network may help you stay motivated. What do you think of the article "How to do Intermittent Fasting for Serious Weight Loss" I think it will be useful for you.



What are the benefits of intermittent fasting for diabetes?


According to Jason Fung, MD, a nephrologist in Toronto and coauthor of The Complete Guide to Fasting: Heal Your Body Through Intermittent, Alternate-Day, and Extended Fasting, in the past, dietitians and scientists viewed IF as a harmful practice, so there isn't a wealth of high-quality clinical research on how it may affect people with diabetes. However, opinions are starting to shift, and some more recent research indicates the strategy could be advantageous, particularly for those who have diabetes.



Intermittent fasting may be advantageous for diabetics when carried out safely. People might be able to use the less diabetic medication if the dietary regimen results in weight loss.



For instance, tiny research indicated that IF reduced insulin resistance in 13 people with type 2 diabetes. They published it in the journal Hormone and Metabolic Research in August 2021. In people with type 2 diabetes, the hormone insulin is less effective at moving glucose (sugar) out of the bloodstream, which raises blood sugar levels.



According to Michael Mosley, MD, a scientific writer and coauthor of The Fast diet, we believe that IF weight loss can also result in improvements in insulin sensitivity.



Additionally, a review of previous studies revealed that IF decreased fasting glucose levels, weight, and post-meal blood sugar levels in persons with type 2 diabetes, and this analysis was published in the journal Clinical Diabetes and Endocrinology in February 2021.



If intermittent fasting can assist the majority of diabetics in quitting insulin use, further study is required to make this determination.



Additional advantages include:


- enhanced fat oxidation, reduced appetite, lower blood pressure, lower oxidative stress, and better insulin sensitivity.



According to the ADA, additional studies are required to assess the long-term advantages of intermittent fasting on glucose management and diabetic complications. What do you think of the article "Intermittent fasting and the ideal ratio for the greatest weight loss" I think it will be useful for you.



Advice on how to intermittent fasting when having diabetes


Here are some suggestions if you have diabetes and are considering attempting intermittent fasting:



- Discuss changing the dosage of your medicine or insulin with your healthcare professional. If you attempt a diet that may have an impact on your blood sugar levels, you may need to alter your diabetes therapy.



- Check the levels of your blood sugar. Check your glucose levels often because prolonged fasting might lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels.



- Keep an eye on your energies. You might want to keep this in mind if you're driving or using machinery because fasting might make you feel tired.



- Observe your mood. Many people discover that limiting their food consumption may significantly affect their mood. Keep an eye out for symptoms including impatience, increased worry, and trouble with stress.



- Maintain a carbohydrate balance. The conversion of carbohydrates into glucose by your body might cause a rise in blood sugar. Try to balance starchy carbs with vegetables and protein in your meals when you aren't fasting to prevent high blood sugar. What do you think of the article "Is Intermittent Fasting Healthy" I think it will be useful for you.









sources:


https://diabetesjournals.org/diabetes/article/67/9/1745/16105/Intermittent-Fasting-and-Prevention-of-Diabetic


https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/hypoglycemia


https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/low-blood-sugar.html

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My name is John Tolan, 36 years old affiliate marketer and blogger holding a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition from the Australian University of Science and Technology. My interests revolve around writing about health and nutrition topics.

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