Could Fasting Be the Key to Lowering Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes?

A fasting diet that emphasizes early morning meals may be the key to lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Two diets were compared by researchers from the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI): a time limited, intermittent fasting diet and a diminished calorie diet to see which one was more gainful for individuals who were inclined to create type 2 diabetes.

“Following a time restricted, intermittent fasting diet could help lower the chances of developing type 2 diabetes,” said senior author the University of Adelaide’s Professor Leonie Heilbronn, Adelaide Medical School.

“People who fasted for three days during the week, only eating between 8am and 12pm on those days, showed a greater tolerance to glucose after 6 months than those on a daily, low-calorie diet.

“Participants who followed the intermittent fasting diet were more sensitive to insulin and also experienced a greater reduction in blood lipids than those on the low-calorie diet.”

When the body’s cells are unable to effectively respond to insulin and lose the ability to produce the hormone that controls blood glucose, type 2 diabetes develops.

It is estimated that diet and lifestyle changes could delay or prevent nearly 60% of type 2 diabetes cases.

The condition, which does not have a cure, currently affects nearly 1.3 million Australians.

There were in excess of 200 members selected from South Australia in the 18-month study, which was distributed in logical diary, Nature Medication.

Both the time-limited intermittent fasting diet and the low-calorie diet resulted in comparable weight loss for participants.

It is necessary to conduct additional research to determine whether a slightly longer eating window yields the same benefits, which could make the diet more long-term sustainable.