Australian study confirms the therapeutic benefits of intermittent fasting for diabetic patients

( Natural News ) Intermittent fasting is one of the most popular styles of fasting for weight loss. This type of fasting can also benefit people with diabetes. According to a study published in the journal JAMA Network , intermittent fasting can help lower Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. HbA1c is the average blood sugar levels for the last two to three months. A high HbA1c means there is too much sugar in the blood, which indicates a greater risk of developing diabetes complications. For the study, researchers from the University of South Australia recruited 137 adults with Type 2 diabetes, who were then randomly divided into two groups. One group followed an intermittent calorie restriction diet that consisted of 500 to 600 kilocalorie (kcal) per day for two non-consecutive days a week and increased intake for five days. The other group followed a continuous calorie restriction diet that consisted of 1,200 to 1,500 kcal every day for a year. The researchers initially analyzed HbA1c, then weight loss. Based on the results, the intermittent fasting method produced the same outcomes as continuous calorie restriction in reducing HbA1c. In addition, there were similar weight reductions between groups. However, within the first two weeks, no changes in blood sugar levels occurred, which affected 35 percent of the participants using sulphonylurea or insulin. The findings of the study suggested that intermittent fasting is safe and effective for reducing HbA1c, so it may be practiced as an effective alternative to daily calorie restriction. The researchers noted that careful medication management is also needed to prevent blood sugar levels from dropping too low, resulting in hypoglycemia. 100% organic essential oil sets now available for your home and personal care, including Rosemary, Oregano, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Clary Sage and more, […]

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