The initial response to “intermittent fasting due to type 1 diabetes” wasAh, my blood sugar level is probably very low! I could never do that! ” After that I will definitely continue reading.
This guide covers everything you need to know about intermittent fasting with type 1 diabetes.
What are the key points for intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting has attracted attention for its potential to manage type 1 diabetes along with traditional treatments. This approach may offer several advantages supported by new research.
Reduced risk of hypoglycemia
Fasting helps reduce episodes of hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes by allowing for more predictable blood glucose levels due to lower frequency of diet.
Strengthening fat metabolism and blood glucose control
Intermittent fasting can improve fat metabolism, reduce blood glucose variability, and contribute to more stable blood glucose levels.
Increased insulin sensitivity
There is evidence to suggest that intermittent fasting can improve insulin sensitivity (how much the body’s cells respond to insulin) and reduce glucose production by the liver.
Weight control
By supporting weight loss and improving body composition, intermittent fasting can play a role in managing additional weight gain challenges that are often associated with specific diabetes treatments.
Thoughts on using CGM
For people with type 1 diabetes, using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) during intermittent fasting provides valuable insight into blood glucose patterns, identifying potential periods of hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia) and adjusting fasting schedules accordingly.
It is worth noting that intermittent fasting is important for type 1 people to be careful and under medical supervision. Adjusting insulin regimens and careful monitoring of blood glucose levels is essential to avoid adverse effects such as hypoglycemia.
As research continues to evolve, the use of intermittent fasting as part of a diabetes management plan should be personalized based on feedback from healthcare providers.
Notes on blood sugar levels
Before you begin: If your blood sugar levels drop just because you don’t eat a handful of times, you may be taking too much basal (background) insulin via a pump or injection. Consult your primary care physician about a certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES) or “basic tests.”
A basic test consists of intentionally skipping meals (or two) to see if insulin is stabilizing blood glucose levels, or if blood glucose levels rise or fall off significantly from your personal target range.
As a general rule, if it rises, you are not getting enough basal insulin. When it falls, you’re way too much.
Special notes
An important note before discussing intermittent fasting nuts and bolts: If you have diabetes and are thinking of trying this approach, consult your healthcare team first.
They can support strategies to avoid potential complications such as hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia (hyperglycemia), dehydration, and diabetic ketosidosis (DKA, serious diabetic complications that can occur when blood glucose levels are too high).
They can also assess whether intermittent fasting has increased risk and advise whether this approach should be avoided or postponed. (The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) has published fasting categories for people with diabetes in four risk categories.)
For example, people with type 1 diabetes and not within the target range are considered very high risk.
How intermittent fasting works
As someone with type 1 diabetes, if you wake up at a blood glucose level within the range (ideally 70-130 mg/dl (3.9-7.2 mmol/l) – 130 mg/dl is in the high end, but offers room for imperfection with complex illnesses) you too Please don’t Eat breakfast, it means you Please don’t Take a bolus of insulin and your body will continue to burn fat for fuel.
This is because we have not yet introduced a new supply of glucose from our food. You haven’t switched on your switch yet, so you’re telling your body to rely on glucose for fuel instead of fat. When you eat or drink something that contains calories, your body will say, “It’s okay!”
Intermittent fasting utilizes this physiological process by eating alternate periods of fasting.
What is the intermittent fasting schedule?
There is a lot There are various ways to get closer to intermittent fasting. After years of on and off myself, I found myself flexible in creating my own unique approach that feels most natural to me.
Types of intermittent fasting
There are many different types of intermittent fasting, including time-limited fasting, overnight fasting, alternative day fasting, circadian rhythm fasting, and regular fasting.
For people with type 1 diabetes, intermittent fasting presents both opportunities and challenges. Several preliminary studies suggest possible benefits, but careful planning and monitoring is essential.
Some of the most common fasting schedules are:
Time-limited fasting (for example, 12-hour or 16-hour fasting)
Eating all meals daily within a specific time window often results in a daily fasting period of 12-16 hours.
It is important to note that you still need to eat the usual day’s worth of calories during your meal window.
If you are trying to lose weight, that amount of calories may be just 1300-1600, for example, but you will need to follow the fasting program to assign calories and nutrients.
24-hour fasting
For example, from dinner to dinner, once or twice a week, 24 hours a day without meals. This should usually be done only once a week.
(Read this guide from Dr. John Berardi and his colleagues to see what happens when you frequently go 24 hours a day.)
Fasting on an alternative day
Alternating days of regular meals with either full fasting or significant calorie reduction.
Fasting of the circadian rhythm
The fasting period is aligned with the body’s natural circadian rhythm, including incorporating nighttime fasting. This method involves eating a day’s meal during the daytime hours and fasting at night.
Regular fasting
Select a specific day to fast every week or month.
For example, the 5:2 method allows an individual to significantly reduce their calorie intake by choosing between 2 days after eating normally for five days. This method offers flexibility and has been investigated for potential benefits in weight management and metabolic health.
However, for people with type 1 diabetes, it is important to carefully approach regular fasting, taking into account the need for consistent carbohydrate intake to manage their blood sugar levels and prevent hypoglycemia.
I’ll move forward
Research into intermittent fasting and type 1 diabetes is very limited. However, recent research has begun to shed light on the potential benefits of improving weight management and metabolism in type 1 people.
Pilot research (initial studies such as “small-scale testing of methods and procedures for large scale use”) Obesity drugsshowing promising results in safety and efficacy perspectives, suggesting that carefully monitored intermittent fasting may provide a viable strategy for weight loss without increasing the risk of negative events such as hypoglycemia.
Similarly, a review of the story Nutrients It highlighted the possibility of intermittent fasting, which increases insulin sensitivity and reduces blood glucose variability.
In early 2024, researchers at the University of Illinois University of Chicago finally launched a pilot study that ultimately provided data on how time-limited diets are compared to calorie counts in people with type 1 diabetes.
However, it is important to note that research in this field is still in the early stages, particularly with regard to the long-term impact and the best fasting protocols for type 1 diabetes patients.
Therefore, intermittent fasting presents an interesting and potential tool for nutritional management in type 1 diabetes, but further clinical trials are required to fully understand the effects and safely integrate them into treatment plans. It is important to consult with a current research and healthcare professional for guidance.
But won’t I get hungry?
What do you think – being a little hungry is fine. You may find yourself feeling like your stomach isn’t open 24/7 after pushing it through (keep your blood sugar level), around 10am, actually feeling a bit great. A little more clear head, a little more focus, perhaps even a little more energy.
Drink water – it’s good for you anyway – and embrace that feeling that your body is just empty. Yes, there are many ways to lose weight by eating every 3-4 hours, but that’s not the only way to eat and not the only way to lose weight.
Are you always thinking about your next meal? Always a snack?
As Dr. Berardi explains, “Intermittent fasting is useful for people who really want to lean without following the traditional bodybuilding diet, or for those who need to learn the difference between physical and mental hunger.”
For athletes and people who engage in intense exercise, individual energy needs and fasting can vary.
Some people work well under intermittent fasting regimens, while others feel that they need more consistent fuel to maintain peak performance. It’s important to listen to your body, consult with a medical professional to find the best approach for you.
But isn’t eating breakfast really important?
Eating breakfast is an important part of weight loss and can maintain a healthy metabolism, but according to some experts, it is not the only way.
“No conclusive research has found that eating breakfast has a positive effect on weight loss and weight retention,” explained sports and registered dietitians Leslie Bonsi, MPH, RDN, CSSD and LDN. Popular science 2017.
Also, the idea that skipping breakfast causes weight gain is oversimplified and not necessarily true. It may not be an act of skipping breakfast itself, which can cause weight gain. In a study that observed this effect, it is possible that the majority of people who skipped breakfast overall lacked other healthy habits and instead led to weight gain.
“Eating breakfast is simply a marker of a healthy lifestyle and may not protect itself from obesity,” explains a 2016 article on the website Sciencealert.
And more recent studies continue to present complex findings regarding the importance of breakfast for weight management.
Systematic review and meta-analysis for 2019 (analysis of data from several studies) BMJ We showed that breakfast effects on body weight and energy intake vary. This study, which examined several randomized controlled trials, suggested that eating or skipping breakfast in weight loss had no clear effect.
The results show that a general recommendation to eat breakfast may not have a universal effect on weight management. These findings highlight the complexity of dietary habits and their impact on weight, suggesting that individual dietary preferences and lifestyle choices play an important role in weight management strategies.
How to fast intermittently with type 1 diabetes
First, make sure you are completely clear from your doctor before trying intermittent fasting when living with any type of diabetes.
Using CGM can help you identify when you are at risk for hypoglycemia and help you understand how blood sugar levels respond to diet and periods of fasting.
When adapting to intermittent fasting, you may find a sense of mental freedom, especially if you have type 1 diabetes. This is because there is less concern about experiencing high or hypoglycemia levels after skipping breakfast.
Studies have shown that intermittent fasting can affect insulin sensitivity and blood glucose stability, including those with type 1 diabetes.
While some studies suggest that fasting may lead to predictable blood glucose levels due to reduced dietary frequency, it is important to note that individual responses may differ significantly.
Consistently sticking to a fasting program will increase your sensitivity to insulin as you will notice weight loss. This means that you can reduce your basal insulin rate. This is a good thing.
This is part of weight loss due to diabetes, but if you’re not expecting it, you’ll be irritated and irritated by hypoglycemia, so be prepared.
How to regulate high or hypoglycemia during fasting
Wake up with blood sugar levels within range is very helpful, but obviously we are not perfect and things happen. If your blood sugar levels are not in the ideal range when you wake up, here’s how to manage your plan for fasting:
- If you wake up a little high, certainly, you can take Reduction Continue at high speed with a corrected dose (consult your healthcare team for more information on determining a corrected dose), but be aware that simply introducing a bolus of insulin and that glucose must be burned for fuel is sufficient.
- For legitimate “dawn phenomenon” hyperglycemia, bolus correction of insulin every morning, which is part of the “basal” insulin dose, but is applied as a bolus via a pump or injection as a bolus. If this prevents the height of morning fasting, it is part of your fasting regimen.
- you Please don’t With an adjusted dose of insulin, if you have an overall goal, you’re just spending the next few hours with hyperglycemia. health … right? So, definitely take the insulin you need to get into your target blood sugar level. That’s your number one priority.
- If you wake up lowthen you obviously have to eat, and fasting no longer works. I’m eating a healthy breakfast and burning glucose for fuel, so I’d be better off fueling my metabolism and trying again tomorrow.
- Similarly, if you develop hypoglycemia during highways, quickly disrupt the speed and use a hypoglycemia treatment plan to return the level to the target range. The 15-15 rule is recommended to use 15 grams of carbohydrates, check your blood sugar levels after 15 minutes, and repeat if you still have a low level. Also, if you experience severe hypoglycemia, be sure to have glucagon treatment handy.
- If you wake up on a daily basis with too high or too low blood sugar levels, you should go back and do a basic test or Test the ratio of insulin to carbohydrates used in foods you eat before bed.
- Additional sleazy blood sugar issues to keep in mind: If this applies to you, you should stop eating late at night. If you are currently leaving or eating yourself in the middle of the night, focus on this first before pursuing intermittent fasting. People often blame hyperglycemia in the morning and evening phenomenon when it is actually the result of a late-night outbreak.
It’s not a magic trick. It’s not trending. It is the basic science of how the body reacts in a fasting state.
Exercises on the morning of fasting are actually easy (in my experience)
It has been commonly observed that aerobic or cardiovascular activity tends to lower blood glucose levels when fasting during exercise.
However, certain exercises, especially high-intensity exercises, such as weightlifting, can cause an increase in blood sugar levels. This is partly due to the body’s stress response, which causes hormones like adrenaline to be released, leading the liver to release more glucose.
Therefore, weightlifting and other anaerobic training may actually require a bolus of insulin. that Type of training.
This is not taken away from the efforts that fasted. This helps to use glucose, which is produced when glycogen accumulated in the muscles is broken down during anaerobic exercise.
It is important to find the right balance to manage your blood sugar levels during different types of exercise and consult with your healthcare team as needed for guidance.
I love fasting aerobic exercise! In fact, I make sure all exercise sessions fast in the morning or fast in the evening (by eating nothing after 1pm and riding the treadmill around 7pm).
This ensures that all enhanced, rapid acting insulin is completely out of my system. It works. When I was lifting weights, I found out that if I was fasting weightlifting training, I would need one unit of insulin in the morning.
So, in a nutshell:
- Wake up with blood sugar levels within range (or correct a slight height) half (of normal modifications);
- Start training while fasting. Alternatively, if you find it difficult to manage your fluctuating blood sugar levels, consider a different time schedule.
- Check your blood sugar levels during your training to be safe.
- If your anaerobic training is proven to increase your blood sugar level, take half of what you need to fix that high – but take it When you start In the first place, exercise to prevent high prices.
- If your workout is aerobic (aerobic), continue with the workout. Although aerobic exercise does not increase your glucose levels, you should be aware that there is a high risk of hypoglycemia.
- If you are not using CGM, check your blood during training.
- Enjoy the shower (thank you), and the rest of your fasting.
FAQ
Is intermittent fasting safe for people with type 1 diabetes?
For people with all types of diabetes, attempts to attempt intermittent fasting should be made with physician guidance and feedback solely.
It often appears to be safe. However, you should talk to your healthcare team to ensure that intermittent fasting is contraindicated and there are no other conditions in which the insulin dose and medication are properly adjusted.
For people with type 2 diabetes, which usually takes medication in the morning to lower their blood sugar levels, it is recommended that you consult your doctor about taking the medication First meal If you are planning a morning fast, instead of your regular morning schedule for the day.
In the physician OK, this adjustment will help you better manage your blood sugar levels according to changes in your feeding schedule.
As explained extensively above, for type 1 people, your insulin dose needs to be finely adjusted (even if you don’t plan it quickly).
Adjusting the insulin dose to meet this criteria is called a “basic test.” If you have never done a basic test to assess the accuracy of your individual insulin dose, you will definitely do it first. And do it even if you’re not going to fast. It is essential for diabetes management.
During the first week of fasting, check your blood sugar levels frequently during the fasting window to see how your body responds. If you stick to it in the long term, you will find that intermittent fasting often has the great advantage of increasing sensitivity to insulin, which means you need to reduce your basal speed (even within 1-2 weeks).
What can I drink during intermittent fasting?
In the time frame when you are not eating calories, you should not drink calories either. Black coffee, tea, water or seltzer (or diet soda, if necessary) is all safe.
I am leaning towards minimizing artificial sweeteners and choosing natural hydration sources like water, but it is essential to recognize that health and nutrition are very individualized.
There are several concerns about artificial sweeteners, including health effects, but the scientific community’s views on this vary. It is always best to consult a healthcare professional about advice tailored to your needs.
Read the label carefully. When in doubt, reach for the all-natural plains.
Make sure to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, one of the potential risks of intermittent fasting.
If you’re already following the ketogenic diet, do you need to fast intermittently?
It’s clear that after eating a ketogenic breakfast, you burn more fat than others, but intermittent fasting is still true for keto forks as even a portion of that breakfast is converted to glucose and requires a little insulin to digest it.
Currently, research data on adding fasting to already disciplined ketogenic diets is currently very limited, but my personal hype is that it is likely to help advances in weight loss.
However, be careful if you still don’t know how to eat sufficient In a ketogenic diet, adding fasting to the mix can be a rampage recipe during the meal period of your fasting plan.
It is highly recommended to study and practice the ketogenerating diet for several months before adding fasting. It is very common for new low-carb eaters to be too low, as they fear that they will have too much fat. (And as you’ve probably heard, fat is a very important part of the success of a ketogenic diet.)
Why as a mom I love intermittent fasting
You can wake up in the morning, drink black coffee, drink regular water, pack your bags, and leave the door to the playground or playgroup or library. I can chase my kids all morning and don’t have to worry about my blood sugar.
If I wake up at 90 mg/dL (5.0 mmol/L), I know my blood sugar levels are still in that zone.
You don’t have to spend time cooking your own breakfast. or try out To find time to cook your own breakfast. From morning activities to getting home, you don’t have to worry about putting real healthy food in your belly. Have lunch for the kids and calm everyone down.
(If you’re not a mom of two kids, let’s tell them that finding your own breakfast time is actually quite challenging between diaper changes and bottles, playtime, etc.!
By 1pm or 2pm I’m not starving and I’m actually feeling pretty energetic that morning fast. And I feel that making myself a healthy diet is very viable as the busiest part of the day is behind us.
Final Thoughts: Should I try intermittent fasting?
If all of the above sounds appealing to you, give it a try with your doctor! (And remember that intermittent fasting is not appropriate or effective for everyone in Type 1.)
Some things to keep in mind when adopting type 1 diabetes and intermittent fasting:
- Do you currently have a healthy relationship with food? If not, I’ll deal with it beginning. Fasting is not ideal for those looking to recover from a yo-yo diet or eating disorder.
- Take good notes! During the first week, try fasting, write down any insulin you took before bed, and write down any AM blood sugar levels and more. Therefore, we can identify diabetes-related variables that cause lower blood sugar levels during fasting. For example, if you’re still eating chips and ice cream in the middle of the night, you can definitely bet on raising your blood sugar levels from 6am to 12pm when you’re fasting. Some people blame the dawn phenomenon for actually eating radical late-night meals.
- Check your blood sugar levels more frequently during the first few fastings. Fasting itself should not cause hypoglycemia, but insulin doses may not be appropriate. And nothing reveals it as quickly as fasting. Check your blood sugar levels frequently and take good notes. I believe learning how to study and adjust insulin doses is a key part of long-term success in living with type 1 diabetes.
- It offers flexibility: do not let the advantages of a deviation like you really get hungry or indulge in breakfast while outings with a special family. It’s about finding a balance that works for you, listening to your body and not stressing the exceptions from time to time. It is important to stay consistent with the program, but it is important to understand that life’s unpredictability can sometimes demand adaptability. It’s not a big deal! Let it work for you. Follow the program as much as possible. Don’t be surprised when life gets in the way.
- It may be helpful to adopt fasting for several months and then return to your normal schedule. Intermittent fasting proved to be truly amazing for me for a few months at a time. I then took a break for a few months and eventually feel, of course, ready to follow that schedule again. Listen to your body, stay in close contact with your healthcare team and find the right one for you.
- Be patient with your weight loss journey and recognize it as a long-term commitment rather than a quick race. If you find yourself breaking fast and eating one of those dern office muffins, don’t forget that it is part of the learning process. I greatly believe that making your own life around nutrition is a very long job. Always open to evolving, learning, and trying new things; Never shame yourself Because it is incomplete. It’s one big science project. Enjoy the project, stop punishing yourself and learn to love the food you eat. Even when you’re trying to lose weight, food can be fun!
learn. study. experiment. repeat!
update: I recorded this video. In this video, we talked about why I fasted aerobic exercise, how I do it, and benefits. Please let us know what you think in the comments below.
