Intermittent fasting can achieve complete diabetes remission

— According to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism of the Endocrine Society, patients achieved complete diabetes remission after intermittent fasting dietary interventions, i.
e.
, HbA1c (mean blood glucose) levels below 6.
5%
after stopping diabetes medication for at least one year.

As an effective way to lose weight, intermittent fasting diets have become increasingly popular
in recent years.
Intermittent fasting is when you eat
only for a specific amount of time.
Fasting for a few hours a day or just one meal a few days a week can help your body burn fat
.
Studies have shown that intermittent fasting can reduce the risk of
diabetes and heart disease.

"Type 2 diabetes doesn't have to be a permanent, lifelong disease
.
If patients lose weight by changing their diet and exercise habits, diabetes is likely to go into remission
.
"Our study suggests that intermittent fasting, known as Traditional Chinese Medicine Nutrition Therapy (CMNT), can lead to diabetes remission in people with type 2 diabetes, findings that could have significant implications for
the more than 537 million adults living with the disease worldwide.
"

The researchers administered an intermittent fasting diet intervention to 36 people with diabetes for 3 months and found that nearly 90 percent of participants, including those taking hypoglycemic drugs and insulin, reduced their diabetes medication intake
after intermittent fasting.
Of those, 55 percent experienced diabetes remission, stopped their diabetes medications, and stayed on for at least a year
.
The study challenges the conventional wisdom that diabetes remission can only be achieved
in patients with a shorter duration of diabetes (0-6 years).
Among study participants who achieved diabetes remission, 65% had diabetes duration of more than 6 years (6-11 years).

"Diabetes drugs are expensive and a barrier
for many patients trying to effectively manage their diabetes.
Our study found that after intermittent fasting, drug costs were reduced by 77% for people with diabetes.
"

The research was supported by a grant
from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
The article, titled "Effect of an Intermittent Calorie-restricted Diet on Type 2 Diabetes Remission: A Randomized Controlled Trial," was published
online in print.