Professor Guo Lixin of Beijing Hospital, National Center for Geriatrics, and other scholars published a study in the JAMA sub-journal (JAMA Network Open) indicating that the 5:2 intermittent fasting meal plan (5:2 light fasting) can significantly improve blood sugar and weight of newly diagnosed overweight or obese T2DM patients, with effects even surpassing those of drug therapy!
The 5:2 light fasting involves consuming meal replacements for two non-consecutive days a week (500 kcal for women, 600 kcal for men); on the remaining five days, calorie intake is restricted, with normal breakfast and lunch while using meal replacements for dinner to reduce calorie intake.
This study suggests that in newly diagnosed overweight or obese type 2 diabetes patients, adopting the 5:2 light fasting strategy for 16 weeks can significantly improve blood sugar control, even outperforming antidiabetic medications; resulting in an average weight loss of nearly 20 pounds, while also improving blood pressure, triglycerides, and HDL-C levels.
Why does light fasting help improve diabetes?
Imagine your body as a busy factory, with blood sugar being one of the common fuels required for the factory’s operation.
In the case of diabetes, the factory’s fuel management system (the body’s blood sugar regulation mechanism) malfunctions, causing fuel (blood sugar) accumulation, inability to effectively distribute it to where it’s needed.
By practicing light fasting, the factory is introduced to a new fuel management strategy, reducing fuel procurement for 2 days a week, teaching the factory workers (body cells) to use existing fuel more efficiently, clearing out excess fuel in storage, and even incorporating another more efficient and cleaner fuel, namely fat.
These 2 days of fuel restriction also prompt the factory to reassess and optimize its operations, such as repairing or replacing damaged equipment (improving cell response to insulin).
After optimization, the factory (body) experiences significant health improvements, reducing long-term damage risks due to poor fuel management (diabetes complications).
In fact, numerous studies have already found beneficial aspects of light fasting for diabetes. For instance, in a 2018 case study, 3 type 2 diabetes patients stopped using insulin after practicing intermittent fasting.
Benefits of fasting for diabetics
1. Improves blood sugar control
Fasting can reduce carbohydrate intake, stabilize blood sugar fluctuations, aiding in blood sugar control.
A study published in the “World Diabetes Journal” indicates that fasting is a safe dietary intervention beneficial for improving fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels. Research from the University of South Australia revealed that fasting can effectively reduce blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients while reducing the need for antidiabetic medications.
2. Weight loss
Obesity is a significant risk factor for diabetes; fasting helps patients lose weight, decrease insulin resistance, thereby improving diabetes conditions. Fasting methods have been included in the “Chinese Expert Consensus on Medical Nutrition Therapy for Overweight and Obesity” as a formal weight loss method.
3. Improves cardiovascular health
Fasting can lower lipid levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
4. Enhances insulin sensitivity
Fasting can enhance cell sensitivity to insulin, improving insulin effectiveness.
Solving diabetes problems from the root
This latest study from a Chinese team is the first globally to straightforwardly compare the 5:2 light fasting lifestyle intervention with the well-known antidiabetic drugs metformin and acarbose.
The results are surprising, with 5:2 fasting excelling, not only in blood sugar and weight control but also in improving blood pressure and lipids.
This also prompts a reconsideration of the relationship between drugs and diabetes; they only treat symptoms, possibly leading to relaxation and entering into a more vicious cycle.
To truly cure diabetes, it must be resolved from its root.
In 2021, the “Expert Consensus on Alleviating Type 2 Diabetes” mentions “diabetes reversal” (referring to maintaining blood sugar at or returning it to standard levels without using antidiabetic medication) by highlighting dietary nutrition therapy, including balanced energy consumption with exercise, low-carb diets, very low-energy diets, intermittent fasting, and ketogenic diets.”
Our innovative MSC+NT Nutritional Intervention Monthly Management Plan employs a three-day complete fast at the beginning to compel a pancreas overburdened with work to rest fully, restart the pancreas’ self-repair capabilities, enabling better insulin secretion.
Although methods like complete fasting may aid in weight loss or glucose control, for individuals with severe illnesses or specific dietary needs, professional guidance from doctors or nutritionists, considering personal health and physical conditions, is essential for healthy management or nutritional intervention plans.
