Is intermittent fasting safe if I have diabetes?

Intermittent fasting (IF) refers to the intentional restricting of mealtimes to improve health. Those who practice IF often eat only at certain times and refrain from eating for the rest of the day. This can look like fasting for 16 hours and eating for 8.

IF has been shown to lower fasting blood glucose levels and increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin in some cases.¹ That said, it is important to note that fasting can have negative side effects for people living with diabetes. IF can cause a drop in glucose levels during periods of calorie restriction, which can pose a risk to people prone to hypoglycemia.

For people using insulin therapy or those who are on hypoglycemic medications, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before beginning an IF regime. As well, continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels should be prioritized, especially at the start of an IF regime.

Sources: https://clindiabetesendo.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40842-020-00116-1
https://www.dexcom.com/en-ca/faqs/intermittent-fasting-safe-if-i-have-diabetes

1 Albosta M, Bakke J. Intermittent fasting: is there a role in the treatment of diabetes? A review of the literature and guide for primary care physicians. Clinical Diabetes And Endocrinology. 2021;7(1). doi: 10.1186/s40842-020-00116-1

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