Intermittent Fasting Helps Lower Hba1c In New Type 2 Diabetes Study

[DCUK NewsBot]

Intermittent fasting could be a beneficial option for lowering HbA1c in people with type 2 diabetes, scientists report. Fasting was compared to continuous calorie restriction in a new Australian study, and researchers are buoyant fasting could return health benefits. Improved HbA1c was the standout benefit, with a two-day per week fast shown to be comparable to a diet where participants restricted their calorie intake. Additionally, there were similar weight reductions between groups. A total of 137 adults with type 2 diabetes were recruited for the study. Participants were then randomly assigned to either an intermittent calorie restriction diet consisting of 500-600 kcal per day for two non-consecutive days per week and increased intake for five days, or continuous calorie restriction consisting of 1,200-1,500 calories per day for 12 months. The University of South Australia researchers primarily analysed HbA1c, with weight loss a secondary outcome. Medications that could cause hypoglycemia were lowered at the beginning of the study. The results showed that the intermittent fasting method was as effective as continuous calorie restriction in reducing HbA1c. This not only provides reassurance that intermittent fasting is effective for reducing HbA1c in a safe manner, but suggests that intermittent fasting may represent an effective alternative to daily calorie restriction. There were similar differences for blood sugar levels, total medication effect score and step count at the study's end. No differences were observed for low or high blood sugar within the first two weeks, which affected 35% of participants using sulphonylurea and/or insulin. The researchers stressed that because only people with diabetes who had good blood sugar control were involved, adjustments for medication could interfere with interpretations of HbA1c. Another limitation was that participants had regular access with a dietitian than would be expected outside of a clinical setting. The researchers concluded: "Intermittent energy restriction is a useful strategy for weight loss in type 2 diabetes and may be superior to continuous energy restriction. However, careful medication management is required to avoid hypoglycemia." The findings appear online in the journal JAMA Network.

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[britishpub]

Yeah we know.

 

[hazelzac]

Thanks for sharing

 

[bulkbiker]

Except that this wasn't intermittent fasting... it showed that 2 days of caloric restriction a week were as effective as daily caloric restriction. That could of course mean as ineffective as caloric restriction is anyway in the long term. Hey ho.. when will they get it...!

 

[hazelzac]

Except that this wasn't intermittent fasting... it showed that 2 days of caloric restriction a week were as effective as daily caloric restriction. That could of course mean as ineffective as caloric restriction is anyway in the long term. Hey ho.. when will they get it...!

Hi , could you please further explain this.

 

[bulkbiker]

Hi , could you please further explain this.

Yes of course.
Fasting is not taking in anything solid (well that's how I do it).

The 5:2 diet is simply limiting calorie intake on 2 days out of 5 so not fasting per se... just eating less 2 days a week.
They compared this with just eating an average of fewer calories over a week so... 5:2 you have severe calorie restriction for 2 days...the other just less severe calorie restriction over 7 days.

Fasting would be say only eating once per day (Intermittent Fasting) or not eating for multiple days (Extended Fasting).

I hope that makes my point a bit clearer.

Fasting also has benefits.. by not eating we can reduce the number of times a day insulin production is stimulated.

 

[hazelzac]

Yes of course.
Fasting is not taking in anything solid (well that's how I do it).

The 5:2 diet is simply limiting calorie intake on 2 days out of 5 so not fasting per se... just eating less 2 days a week.
They compared this with just eating an average of fewer calories over a week so... 5:2 you have severe calorie restriction for 2 days...the other just less severe calorie restriction over 7 days.

Fasting would be say only eating once per day (Intermittent Fasting) or not eating for multiple days (Extended Fasting).

I hope that makes my point a bit clearer.

Fasting also has benefits.. by not eating we can reduce the number of times a day insulin production is stimulated.

Thanks a lot