Can Intermittent Fasting Help Control Diabetes?
Diet trends continue to emerge and have phased in and out over the years from Atkins, Paleo to Ketogenic diet. These trendy diets seem to catch the attention of many people, including patients with diabetes. Clinicians constantly counsel patients with type 2 diabetes on the importance of a healthy lifestyle that oftentimes requires significant weight loss. Obesity is highly correlated with type 2 diabetes; therefore, patients with type 2 diabetes are often overwhelmed not only with a diabetes diagnosis, but with the task of weight loss. This is when patients are tempted to look for the latest fad diet for an easy fix. One of the most recent trending diet plans is intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting consists of several different styles, including 16/8 method, where fasting occurs 16 hours per day, or the 5:2 intermittent fast, where fasting occurs for two whole days per week. Food is not allowed during fasting periods; only water, coffee, tea and other non-caloric beverages are permitted. Is intermittent fasting beneficial for patients with type 2 diabetes?
Excerpted from Diabetes in Control
