Is Fasting Bad for Diabetics?
Healthful Vitality | 11/11/2021 | By NP Contributor | Is Fasting Bad for Diabetics?
Fasting is usually not bad for diabetes; however, the way of fasting matters. Some kind of fasting may do more harm than good. Further, the benefits and disadvantages of fasting also depend on the type of diabetes and its severity.
People fast for various reasons. One of the most common reasons for fasting is weight loss. Some may also do fasting to gain better control over diabetes. However, fasting for religious reasons is not rare.
Is Fasting Bad for Diabetics?
Fasting may benefit some, but not all
It is true that in diabetes, calorie intake must be restricted. Further, one should eat in smaller portions to ensure a consistent supply of energy. However, people with diabetes should generally eat more frequently.
Fasting and type 2 diabetes
Fasting may help in mild to moderate type 2 diabetes, one of the most common forms of diabetes. It is a diabetes of overweight people living with insulin resistance. Fasting helps restrict calorie intake. Thus, fasting may help reverse insulin resistance in such individuals. In addition, fasting may considerably reduce total daily intake, which is vital for managing mild to moderate type 2 diabetes.
Most modern oral drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes do not cause hypoglycemia. Nonetheless, some that boost insulin production may cause. Thus, one should always consult a doctor before starting regular fasting.
Fasting and more severe type 2 diabetes
However, things differ in more severe type 2 diabetes. These are people on multiple drugs and maybe living with organ damage. Thus, in such individuals, fasting may not always be good. It may still benefit a small number of cases, but not in all instances. Therefore, people living with diabetes and other health issues like severe heart diseases and kidney disease should never practice fasting without consulting a doctor.
Fasting and those using insulin
Further, fasting may be challenging for those using insulin for managing diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is always treated with insulin. At the same time, more severe cases of type 2 diabetes are also managed with insulin. In such individuals, the use of insulin along with fasting may cause severe and life-threatening hypoglycemia.
Those on insulin may practice fasting in some rare cases. Especially if they think that it is necessary for religious reasons, or they are also living with excessive body weight. In such a situation, they would first need to consult a doctor, who would recommend changes to insulin therapy. It is because insulin is not required much during periods of fasting. Moreover, it may also require reducing the dosage of basal insulin.
Further, it is worth understanding that not every kind of fasting is good. For example, very strict fasting, like not eating any food for 24 hours each alternate day, may do more harm. However, less strict fasting allowing consumption of some healthy calories may be suitable.
The bottom line
Fasting could be an excellent way to manage diabetes, as most are living with mild to moderate type 2 diabetes. Moreover, most people living with diabetes are overweight or obese. However, fasting in diabetes should not be started without consulting a doctor. In addition, in some severe cases of diabetes, or those taking insulin, fasting is not always good and more complex to practice.
(Related Article: Is Intermittent Fasting Bad for Women’s Hormones?)