Can intermittent fasting reverse or manage type 2 diabetes? Here's what we know

Intermittent fasting (IF) has recently gained buzz as a weight loss buzzword. However, increasing research indicates it can also be a force to be reckoned with in terms of managing and potentially even reversing type 2 diabetes.

From enhanced insulin sensitivity to decreasing medication reliance, here's a closer look at what science has to say. (Source: Medical News Today)

What is intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting isn't so much about what you consume, but when. Traditional methods include

What do the studies reveal about this fasting method?

Recent clinical trials and meta-analyses have reported promising impacts of intermittent fasting on blood glucose, weight, and metabolic indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes.Randomized trial: 5:2 Fasting vs. Diabetes drug-One trial with more than 400 adults with new-onset type 2 diabetes compared intermittent fasting with usual medications such as metformin and empagliflozin. The findings were astounding:

Diabetes remission with IF

In a smaller Chinese study, about half of the participants attained medication-free remission after three months of intermittent fasting. A year on, many of them were still in remission, and most in the control group were still receiving treatment.

In another case series, three long-term insulin-dependent patients managed to discontinue insulin altogether within one month of initiating intermittent fasting. They experienced improvement in blood sugars, together with decreases in weight and waist circumference.

How does this type of fasting work?

Several physiological processes account for why intermittent fasting might be useful for managing diabetes:Insulin Sensitivity: Fasting makes it possible for insulin levels to decrease for a prolonged duration, enabling cells to grow more sensitive to insulin over timeFat loss: Fat loss is enhanced by IF, particularly visceral fat surrounding the pancreas and liver, which can enhance organ functionMetabolic switching: When fasting, the body changes from glucose use to fat and ketone use, a process that can help blood sugar regulationHormonal regulation: IF can reset circadian rhythms and affect hormones that regulate hunger, satiety, and metabolism

Before initiating intermittent fasting, individuals with type 2 diabetes should:

Intermittent fasting also has high promise as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, especially in the newly diagnosed.

It is not an absolute cure or definitive route to remission, as research indicates, but evidence does indicate that IF can enhance glycemic control, facilitate weight loss, and even discontinue or reduce medication in some cases.Nevertheless, it has to be done safely, with medical monitoring and an emphasis on long-term lifestyle modifications. As with any diabetes management plan, what suits one best is highly individualized. If you're trying intermittent fasting for the first time, talk to your doctor or registered dietitian to develop a plan based on your health status.