Therapeutic Fasting As A Potential Effective Treatment For Type 2 Diabetes: A 4-month Case Study
Journal of Insulin Resistance | Vol 2, No 1 | a31 | DOI: | © 2017 Michael Ku, Megan J. Ramos, Jason Fung | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 About the author(s) Michael Ku, Department of Psychology,Neuroscience and Behaviour, Faculty of Science, McMaster University, Canada Megan J. Ramos, Intensive Dietary Management Clinic, Canada Jason Fung, Department of Medicine, Scarborough General Hospital, Canada Lifestyle therapy is an integral part of type 2 diabetes (T2D) management, but there remains no consensus on an optimal diet. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic fasting as a treatment for T2D. This case follows a male T2D patient treated at the Intensive Dietary Management Clinic in Scarborough, Ontario, over a 4-month period. The patient’s initial fasting regimen consisted of a 24-h fast, three times a week. Over the course of treatment, the patient gradually extended his fasting period, eventually fasting for 42 h, two to three times a week. By the end of treatment, the patient’s weight was reduced by 17.8% and his waist circumference was reduced by 11.0%. In addition, the patient’s glycated haemoglobin levels decreased from 7.7% to 7.2%, and he was able to completely discontinue his insulin treatment, despite over a decade of insulin usage. The patient did not find it difficult to adhere to the fasting schedule and did not experience any hypoglycaemic episodes or other significant adverse effects. These observations suggest that therapeutic fasting may be a viable treatment option for T2D patients. Total abstract views: 638 Total article views: 1061 Reader Comments Before posting a comment, read our privacy policy. Post a comment (login required) No related citations found. Continue reading >>
- The UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS): clinical and therapeutic implications for type 2 diabetes
- Advice to walk after meals is more effective for lowering postprandial glycaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus than advice that does not specify timing: a randomised crossover study
- Turmeric Extract 100% Effective At Preventing Type 2 Diabetes, ADA Journal Study Finds
The 2-day Diabetes Diet: What To Eat To Lose Weight
For folks with diabetes, weight loss is a natural form of “medication.” Reams of research prove that losing even just a few pounds is an effective way to control blood sugar or reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the first place. But in an ironic twist, losing weight may be more difficult if you have type 2 diabetes. And the reason isn’t just a lack of willpower. Too often, diet plans don’t work for people with diabetes because the metabolism changes associated with blood sugar problems may increase appetite, slow down fat burning, and encourage fat storage. Now breakthrough research has revealed a better way for people to lose weight and reduce insulin resistance. The secret is a concept called intermittent fasting. British researchers created this revolutionary new diet, which strictly limits caloric intake for two days of the week but permits larger portions for the remainder. Women who followed the plan lost almost twice as much fat as those who restricted calories every day. Within three months, participants reduced insulin resistance by 25 percent more on nonfast days and inflammation by 8 percent more than people who dieted continuously. Why Does this Particular Diabetes Diet Plan Work? It counteracts the effects of “diabesity,” where blood sugar problems and excess body fat meet. Just a small amount of excess weight and a genetic tendency for metabolism problems can trigger a cascade of health issues, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, immune system problems, and hormonal imbalances. This constellation of health problems is caused by a modern lifestyle that is out of sync with our genetic inheritance. Researchers theorize that because humans evolved during alternating periods of feast and famine, many of us inherited variou Continue reading >>
How Not To Lose Weight With Type 2 Diabetes
Whether you've been trying to slim down for a while, or your doctor has recently urged you to do so to help control your diabetes, you understand that the stakes are high. Not only will losing weight help you look and feel better, but it can improve your blood sugar levels and, in some cases, you may not even need medication anymore. Yet some diets are better than others, and there are some that are especially bad for you if you have type 2 diabetes. Don't make these six diet mistakes. Mistake #1: Making all carbs the enemy. Carbohydrates turn into sugar, so they're bad for people with diabetes, right? Not exactly. While too many carbs can cause problems, a certain amount is essential. "Almost every process in your body requires carbohydrates,” says Constance Brown-Riggs, RD, certified diabetes educator and author of The African American Guide to Living Well with Diabetes. For instance, your brain needs carbs, she says, and not getting enough can mess with your memory. "Even if you have diabetes, nearly half of your calories should come from carbohydrates," says Jaclyn London, senior dietitian at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. Going too low-carb can lower blood sugar to dangerous levels in people who take medications that increase insulin levels, such as sulfonylureas (Diabinese, Amaryl) or meglitinides (Starlix, Prandin), London says. Ask your doctor, a registered dietitian, or a certified diabetes educator if the diet you want to try gives you the right mix of carbs, protein, fat, and all the nutrients you need. Mistake #2: Going too long without eating. "It's important to eat every 3 to 4 hours," says Carolyn Brown, RD, a New York nutritionist. Aside from keeping your metabolism fired up, eating regularly prevents your blood sugar from spiking too high or dr Continue reading >>
12 Steps To Beat Diabetes Naturally
12 Steps to Beat Diabetes Naturally: Diabetes is a modern day epidemic with the American Diabetes Association claiming 29.1 million Americans (9.3% of the population) have diabetes and another 86 million people (18.8%) have insulin-resistant pre-diabetes (1). The vast majority of diabetes is the type II variety known as degenerative diabetes. Research has shown that degenerative diabetes is an inflammatory disorder and is completely preventable & reversible through an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. When we eat sugar or carbohydrates our digestive system converts these larger molecules into glucose which is then absorbed into the bloodstream and taken to every cell of the body. Blood sugar fuels the cells keeping them healthy. For healthy function it is critical to maintain stable blood sugar levels. In this article, you will discover 12 steps to beat diabetes naturally. Diabetes and Your Blood Sugar: Diabetes is classically diagnosed by one of three different mechanisms. Hemoglobin A1C (Hg A1C): This is a form of hemoglobin (Hg) or red blood cell that is measured to identify the average plasma glucose concentration over a 3 month period of time. When Hg is exposed to plasma glucose there is a glycation reaction that takes place. As blood sugar increases the fraction of glycated Hg increases. Healthy HgA1C levels are considered below 5.7 although most functional medicine doctors like to see them below 5.4. Hg A1C levels above 6.5 are clinically diagnosed as diabetes mellitus. From 5.7-6.5 it is considered pre-diabetic. Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG): This test measures fasting morning blood sugar levels. The individual is instructed not to eat any food within 12 hours of the test. So the individual typically told to skip breakfast and the test is usually performed in th Continue reading >>
Intermittent Fasting Vs Daily Calorie Restriction For Type 2 Diabetes Prevention: A Review Of Human Findings.
Abstract Intermittent fasting (IF) regimens have gained considerable popularity in recent years, as some people find these diets easier to follow than traditional calorie restriction (CR) approaches. IF involves restricting energy intake on 1-3 d/wk, and eating freely on the nonrestriction days. Alternate day fasting (ADF) is a subclass of IF, which consists of a "fast day" (75% energy restriction) alternating with a "feed day" (ad libitum food consumption). Recent findings suggest that IF and ADF are equally as effective as CR for weight loss and cardioprotection. What remains unclear, however, is whether IF/ADF elicits comparable improvements in diabetes risk indicators, when compared with CR. Accordingly, the goal of this review was to compare the effects of IF and ADF with daily CR on body weight, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese adults. Results reveal superior decreases in body weight by CR vs IF/ADF regimens, yet comparable reductions in visceral fat mass, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance. None of the interventions produced clinically meaningful reductions in glucose concentrations. Taken together, these preliminary findings show promise for the use of IF and ADF as alternatives to CR for weight loss and type 2 diabetes risk reduction in overweight and obese populations, but more research is required before solid conclusions can be reached. Links Barnosky AR , Hoddy KK , Unterman TG , Varady KA MeSH Caloric Restriction Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Diet, Reducing Fasting Humans Obesity Pub Type(s) Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Review Language eng PubMed ID 24993615 Continue reading >>
The Cure For Type 2 Diabetes Is Known, But Few Are Aware
The cure for type 2 diabetes is known, but few are aware I recently posted to Facebook about a cure for diabetes and suggested someone try it. Just six days later, I received the following message from a friend: I just wanted to drop you a line and thank you for that post… My lab results at the beginning of the month were 230. After just this last week it’s down to 155. I think I’ll be in normal range within a month. Really miraculous… It’s really been a game changer for me already and I wanted you to know how much I appreciated the info and how much of a difference I think it will make in my life. Four months later, the friend posted this to Facebook: I started on this regiment when Nathan posted about it [four months ago]. My blood glucose level at that time, while taking two daily glucose meds, was 235. Two weeks ago, my [fasting] glucose level, WITHOUT the meds, was 68. If you google “diabetes cure” you are directed to websites like WebMD and the Mayo Clinic where you find information on diet, exercise, medication, and insulin therapy, but nothing about the cure. This lack of information may have to do with the fact that Americans spend $322 billion a year to treat diabetes, $60 billion a year on weight-loss programs, and $124 billion a year on snack foods. This is about 3% of the US economy! Because so many peoples’ livelihoods are supported by diabetes and its main cause, obesity, the viral effect of people getting cured and telling others is greatly diminished. Because of this understandable stifling of the message, if you are like my Facebook friend and have already experienced the type 2 diabetes cure for yourself — there are thousands of you out there — it is important for you to share your success stories as far and wide as possible. You c Continue reading >>
Intermittent Fasting And Its Beneficial Effects On The Body
Dr. Mark Mattson intermittent fasting research: old tradition potentially benefits body’s organs, providing possible cure and treatment. Research and a sit down with Dr. Mark Mattson at the NIH shows intermittent fasting is resurfacing as a medical treatment used in certain comorbidities, rather than medication. So often individuals consume food throughout the day without much energy expenditure, which over time becomes a problem due to the types of unhealthy food consumed, and the amount of food consumed. Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and even diabetes become the end result of those behaviors. Fasting could be the new savior to these conditions, with the benefits going through the roof. — Click here to access Dr. Mark Mattson intermittent fasting video series & downloadable transcript – exclusive discussion with Diabetes in Control — Fasting means to eat only small meals, or none at all, for long periods of time. This can be done every day or even one day a month. Different types of intermittent fasting consist of alternate day fasting or ingesting less than 600 calories a day, eating a regular diet five days a week and only 600 calories the remaining two days, and lastly eating all of one’s calories during a 4-8 hour window. These different types of fasting can be tailored to fit each individuals needs and schedules, with the addition of not needing to eat breakfast. Dr. Mattson also debunked the rule of eating three meals a day with a valid point comparing earlier times to now. “There is evidence that the 3 meals/day routine began during the early period of the agricultural revolution when people were working hard on the farms every day. They undoubtedly had a high calorie requirement to support their high energy expenditure (e.g., 4000 � Continue reading >>
Intermittent Fasting, Cortisol And Blood Sugar
There’s been a lot of discussion about the benefits of intermittent fasting (IF) in the paleo community lately. Paul Jaminet mentions it’s role in boosting the immune system in his book, The Perfect Health Diet, and IF can also be helpful for those trying to lose weight and tune their metabolism. From an evolutionary perspective, intermittent fasting was probably the normal state of affairs. There were no grocery stores, restaurants or convenience stores, and food was not nearly as readily available or easy to come by as it is today. Nor were there watches, schedules, lunch breaks or the kind of structure and routine we have in the modern world. This means it’s likely that our paleo ancestors often did go 12-16 hours between meals on a regular basis, and perhaps had full days when they ate lightly or didn’t eat at all. So, while I agree that IF is part of our heritage, and that it can be helpful in certain situations, I don’t believe it’s an appropriate strategy for everyone. Why? Because fasting can elevate cortisol levels. One of cortisol’s effects is that it raises blood sugar. So, in someone with blood sugar regulation issues, fasting can actually make them worse. I’ve seen this time and time again with my patients. Almost all of my patients have blood sugar imbalances. And it’s usually not as simple as “high blood sugar” or “low blood sugar”. They often have a combination of both (reactive hypoglycemia), or strange blood sugar patterns that, on the surface, don’t make much sense. These folks aren’t eating a Standard American Diet. Most of them are already on a paleo-type or low-carb diet. Yet they still have blood sugar issues. In these cases, cortisol dysregulation is almost always the culprit. When these patients try intermittent fas Continue reading >>
Caveman Fasting Diet May Leave Women Diabetic
Its promise to melt away pounds with minimal pain is seductive and, unlike so many fad diets, comes with promises of extraordinary health benefits. Just like the Atkins, cabbage soup and blood group diets before it, however, the latest flavour of the month weight loss regime could leave a bad taste in the mouth. The few studies which confirm its benefits also reveal a potentially dangerous divide. Intermittent fasting is very effective for men but potentially dangerous for many women. There is increasing evidence that women are less likely to lose weight and more prone to unpleasant side effects such as insomnia, impaired fertility and increased stress hormones. According to Michael Moseley, the doctor turned-television presenter who popularised this new approach to weight loss, the proof is in the pudding (which remains on the menu for five out of seven days). After trying the feast-and-famine regime for five weeks for the BBC documentary Eat, Fast and Live Longer, he lost almost a stone and reduced his body fat, cholesterol and blood sugar. He also halved his levels of IGF-1, an insulin-like growth factor, which increases the risk of cancer. However Dr Catherine Collins, Chief Dietician at London’s St George’s Hospital, warns that basic differences in biology make it effective for men, but unsuitable for many women. For starters, men have a higher percentage of muscle, which gives them a faster metabolism, so if a man and woman of comparable size restrict their intake to 800 calories a day the man will lose more weight. Their greater muscle mass also protects men from some of the downsides of the diet. Dr Collins explains: “The average adult turns over 300grams of protein a day. Eighty per cent of that is recycled, broken down and reused; a bit like Lego bricks, Continue reading >>
Study Shows How A Low Calorie Diet Can Reverse Type 2 Diabetes
New research reveals the mechanisms through which low calorie diets can reverse type 2 diabetes in animals, and if those effects can be transferred over to people, we could have a host of new drug options for treating the chronic condition. Links between type 2 diabetes and diet have been well established – it is triggered when the body can no longer manage its blood glucose levels – but this latest study adds to growing evidence that the condition could be reversed in some cases. The team of researchers gave a very low calorie diet (VLCD) to rats with type 2 diabetes and found the animals' blood glucose levels rapidly lowered. What's more, they were able to reveal extra details about why exactly it was happening. "Using this approach to comprehensively interrogate liver carbohydrate and fat metabolism, we showed that it is a combination of three mechanisms that is responsible for the rapid reversal of hyperglycemia following a very low calorie diet," says one of the researchers, Gerald I. Shulman from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Maryland. The three liver mechanisms affected by the diet were the conversion of lactate and amino acids into glucose, the conversion of liver glycogen into glucose, and a decrease in fat content, which then improves the liver's response to insulin. That response is important: it's when the body can't produce enough insulin, or becomes resistant to it, that blood sugars build up and type 2 diabetes occurs. In other words, the research shows how three causes of high glucose levels are targeted by a VLCD – and results were noticeable in just three days. The rodents' body weight was not affected throughout the study. Before we declare type 2 diabetes cured though, we need to find out whether this would work in humans too, and the Continue reading >>
Intermittent Fasting Shown To Improve Diabetes And Reduce Cardiovascular Risk
A new review evaluating intermittent fasting found that overweight or obese individuals with type 2 diabetes who fast on consecutive or alternate days lost more weight while also experiencing enhanced cardiovascular health benefits The therapeutic potential of intermittent fasting remained even when total calorie intake per day did not change, or was only slightly reduced Other benefits of intermittent fasting include limiting inflammation, reducing blood pressure, improvements in body composition and more A typical intermittent fasting strategy is to restrict your daily eating to a specific window of time, such as a six to eight-hour span from around 11am to 7 pm By Dr. Mercola Intermittent fasting is a powerful approach to eating that is becoming very popular because it can help you lose weight while reducing your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. While this approach is just now starting to catch on in the media, there's nothing "new" about it. Our ancestors rarely had access to food 24/7 like we do today, and it's likely that our genes are optimized for the more sporadic, intermittent meals that they ate. Fasting has been an important part of religious traditions for centuries, while the health benefits of intermittent fasting have been appreciated since the 1940s,1 although they are just now achieving more mainstream popularity. So far, the research overwhelmingly supports this notion that ditching the "three square meals a day" approach in favor of intermittent fasting may do wonders for your health. The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting Confirmed by the Latest Research A new review evaluated the various approaches to intermittent fasting, particularly the advantages and limitations for its use in fighting obesity and type 2 diabetes.2 What t Continue reading >>
The Fascinating Relationship Between Intermittent Fasting And Diabetes
Weight management and Type 2 diabetes Weight loss and weight management are very closely linked to diabetic health and treatment. Besides genetic factors, obesity is the most significant reason for Type 2 diabetes as it interferes with the body’s ability to use insulin to properly regulate blood sugar levels. This explains why weight management is the most recommended strategy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Losing weight helps Type 2 diabetes patients reduce their insulin resistance and enhances their body’s ability to use insulin better. Moderate and Intermittent Fasting for Diabetes In this context of weight management for diabetics, one of the most effective strategies is the concept of intermittent fasting. This concept turns on its head the vastly popular myth that eating 5-6 small meals during the day is beneficial for diabetic patients. Studies have shown that this practice of spreading out meals over the day may not be ideal for diabetics as it increases the risk of spikes in their blood sugar levels. This practice additionally keeps blood sugar levels high, effectively, doing little to address the underlying cause – the inability of the body to adequately process sugars and maintain glucose levels. This is where intermittent moderate fasting can benefit Type 2 diabetes patients. Clinical studies have shown that intermittent fasting produces the desired results for diabetics- weight loss and a reduction in insulin resistance. Moderate fasting ensures a number of health benefits, including improved insulin sensitivity, lowered triglycerides, weight loss and reduced sugar cravings, all extremely beneficial for diabetes and its management. Intermittent fasting and regulation of insulin levels Fasting is a simple and effective way to force your body to Continue reading >>
Intermittent Fasting & Diabetes: Does It Work?
Fasting is not a new phenomenon. Many faiths recommend spiritual strengthening through periods of prayer and fasting—sometimes a day, sometimes seven, sometimes more. In the early 1900s scientists used fasting to treat diseases such as diabetes, obesity and epilepsy, although much of the published research was in laboratory animals. Recently, fasting—particularly intermittent fasting—is experiencing renewed interest as a medical treatment for disease rather than medication. What is Intermittent Fasting? Intermittent fasting is not a diet but rather a pattern of eating. It involves periods of eating and fasting. These cycles can be done every day or even one day a month. Two of the most popular types of intermittent fast are the 5:2 fast and the time restricted feeding fast. The 5:2 fast, also known as The 5:2 Diet or The Fast Diet, calls for eating normally five days a week and restricting calories—500 calories per day for women and 600 calories per day for men—on the other two days. These fast days do not have to be right in a row. Time-restricted feeding calls for eating food within a narrow window of time, typically a six to eight-hour window. Then fasting the remaining 16 to 18 hours a day. For example, with an eight-hour window, food is eaten between 11 AM to 7 PM. Research shows this type of fast is more manageable because most of the fasting period is overnight and into the morning. Join the conversation and share this story Does Intermittent Fasting Work? There is an emerging body of evidence that shows the benefits of intermittent fasting for type 2 diabetes and obesity are similar to those of a calorie restricted diet, but easier to follow. Research shows intermittent fasting is beneficial in reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, lowering h Continue reading >>
Tno: Potential Of Intermittent Fasting As Intervention For Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a growing problem worldwide. In the Netherlands alone over 900.000 people suffer from it. That is more than twice as many as 15 years ago. Diabetes can lead to many complications such as cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, loss of vision, amputations, and may even increase a patient’s risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. The disease puts an increasing burden on society, and finding a solution to the diabetes epidemic would be fantastic. Today, treatment methods are based on medication. Unfortunately, these medications only target the symptoms and don’t solve the underlying problem. Type 2 diabetes is a disease that is caused primarily by unhealthy lifestyles, and research has shown that with a lifestyle intervention diabetes can actually be reversed. TNO, a Dutch nonprofit organisation, has developed the “Lifestyle as a Medicine” program as a first step to curing diabetes. They do this in cooperation with the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). One potential lifestyle intervention is intermittent fasting; an eating pattern where users regularly go through periods of fasting (non-eating). On behalf of TNO, it is our task to examine the potential of intermittent fasting as a treatment method for type 2 diabetes. We are to find out, among other things, whether intermittent fasting is an effective treatment, whether it’s safe, how hard it is to fast, what sort of support to offer patients, and if doctors are willing to apply it. Continue reading >>
Fasting Diet 'regenerates Diabetic Organ'
The pancreas can be triggered to regenerate itself through a type of fasting diet, say US researchers. Restoring the function of the organ - which helps control blood sugar levels - reversed symptoms of diabetes in animal experiments. The study, published in the journal Cell, says the diet reboots the body. Experts said the findings were "potentially very exciting" as they could become a new treatment for the disease. People are advised not to try this without medical advice. In the experiments, mice were put on a modified form of the "fasting-mimicking diet". It is like the human form of the diet when people spend five days on a low-calorie, low-protein, low-carbohydrate but high unsaturated-fat diet. It resembles a vegan diet with nuts and soups, but with around 800 to 1,100 calories a day. Then they have 25 days eating what they want - so overall it mimics periods of feast and famine. Previous research has suggested it can slow the pace of ageing. Diabetes therapy? But animal experiments showed the diet regenerated a special type of cell in the pancreas called a beta cell. These are the cells that detect sugar in the blood and release the hormone insulin if it gets too high. Dr Valter Longo, from the University of Southern California, said: "Our conclusion is that by pushing the mice into an extreme state and then bringing them back - by starving them and then feeding them again - the cells in the pancreas are triggered to use some kind of developmental reprogramming that rebuilds the part of the organ that's no longer functioning." There were benefits in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the mouse experiments. Type 1 is caused by the immune system destroying beta cells and type 2 is largely caused by lifestyle and the body no longer responding to insulin. Further t Continue reading >>
