Conventional Wisdom says, “No!”
Intermittent fasting is not recommended for people with type 1 diabetes who take insulin. If you have type 1 diabetes, other health problems due to diabetes, or have had hypoglycemia, your doctor may recommend you not fast. If your doctor says it’s okay to try, ask if you need to check your blood sugar more often or adjust your diabetes medication during and after fasting. You must watch for signs of low blood sugar during fasting.
(Microsoft, Retrieved on 8/15/24 from: https://microsoftstart.msn.com/en-us/health/ask-professionals/in-expert-answers-on-type1diabetes/in-type1diabetes?questionid=3ufatq1v&type=condition&source=healthpaa_conditionqna.)
Today the Answer is “Yes…very possibly!”
What Changed?
- Real-time glucose data available 24-7
- Evolving Knowledge of Type 1
Study Underway
A University of Illinois Chicago pilot will examine how time-restricted eating compares to calorie counting and a control group for those with type 1 diabetes.
(UIC Today. Retrieved on 8/14/2024 at: https://today.uic.edu/type-1-diabetes-intermittent-fasting-research/)
Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
From Ginger Vieira, in Diabetes Strong:
Reduced risk of hypoglycemia: Fasting could help decrease episodes of hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes by allowing for more predictable blood sugar levels due to reduced frequency of meals.
Increased insulin sensitivity: There’s evidence to suggest that intermittent fasting can improve insulin sensitivity (how responsive the body’s cells are to insulin) and reduce glucose production by the liver.
From Dr. Roshani Sanghani, in Turn Around Diabetes, 2024, pp. 138:
I have successfully used fasting as a treatment for thousands of people with diabetes, both type 2 and type 1, under close supervision. It takes a team and 1 on 1 support to do this safely.
Your Next Steps:
Determine if intermittent fasting can fit into your daily life with your Healthcare Team, then…
- Discuss the types of intermittent fasting.
- Based on feedback, reduce your basal rate.
- Practice – find out what works for you.
- Keep hydrated.
- Be aware of glucose with CGM.
- Based on the test, make a long-term plan with HCP.
References
Sanghani, R., & Miller, W. R. (2024). Turn Around Diabetes: The Step-by-Step Guide to Navigate Type 2 (and Type 1) Diabetes with Less Medication.
Intermittent Fasting + Type 1 Diabetes. (n.d.). Beyond Type 1. https://beyondtype1.org/intermittent-fasting/
Microsoft. (n.d.). Fasting is a bad idea for people with Type 1 diabetes. Microsoft Start. Retrieved August 15, 2024, from https://microsoftstart.msn.com/en-us/health/ask-professionals/in-expert-answers-on-type1diabetes/in-type1diabetes?questionid=3ufatq1v&type=condition&source=healthpaa_conditionqna.
UIC today (2021, March 15). Intermittent fasting shows promise for those with type 1 diabetes. UIC today. Retrieved 8/14/24 from: https://today.uic.edu/type-1-diabetes-intermittent-fasting-research/.
Vieira, Ginger. Website: Diabetes Strong, Intermittent Fasting with Type 1 Diabetes 12 Website: Diabetes Strong. URL: https://diabetesstrong.com/intermittent-fasting-type-1-diabetes/ 1 Published Date: April 17, 2024 3 Updated Date: May 21, 2024. Retrieved on August 15, 2024.