- A Chinese study suggests that a 5:2 intermittent fasting diet with meal replacement may be helpful for people with type 2 diabetes..
- Researchers reported that diet participants had better glycemic control and weight loss at 16 weeks compared to those who took diabetes medications.
- Experts say the 5:2 diet is an option for people with type 2 diabetes, but it may not be suitable for everyone.
A 5:2 intermittent fasting diet with meal replacements may be helpful for people with type 2 diabetes.
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“In this randomized clinical trial of 405 adults, the 5:2 meal replacement approach achieved better glycemic control at 16 weeks compared to metformin and empagliflozin,” write the authors of the study. ‘study.
“5:2 meal replacements may serve as an initial lifestyle intervention for patients with type 2 diabetes, providing an alternative to the use of metformin and empagliflozin medications,” they said. added.
The study included 405 Chinese adults suffering from obesity or overweight. Participants had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the previous year.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either metformin, empagliflozin, or a 5:2 meal replacement diet for a period of 16 weeks. All participants also received advice on exercise, diet and diabetes education every four weeks.
People in the 5:2 meal replacement group had two nonconsecutive days per week in which they used meal replacements. Meal replacements are prepackaged foods or drinks that can be used to provide energy in place of a regular meal.
On meal replacement days, participants took a meal replacement instead of eating three regular meals. This equated to an intake of 500 calories for women and 600 calories for men.
On the other five days, participants in the 5:2 group were encouraged to watch their calorie intake but eat whatever they wanted for breakfast and lunch. At dinner, they then had a meal replacement.
Researchers reported that people in the 5:2 meal replacement group had the greatest reduction in average HbA1C blood sugar levels over three months. Members of this group also experienced greater weight loss than the other two groups, with significant reductions in waist and hip circumference.
Dr. Marilyn Tan, an endocrinologist at Stanford University in California who was not involved in the study, says intermittent fasting may be beneficial for some people with type 2 diabetes.
“Intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating has generated considerable interest in type 2 diabetes, and numerous studies have shown its benefits. Metabolic benefits may be due to both the precise timing of the meal and the reduction in caloric intake. Many patients also find intermittent fasting to be more sustainable than other popular diets because the focus is more on timing rather than diet content,” she said. Medical news today.
“Extreme diets that are very restrictive in content can be difficult to follow long term and can lead to nutritional deficiencies. So the fact that intermittent fasting diets focus less on dietary content often makes them more sustainable,” a added Tan. “There is no one-size-fits-all diabetes diet and it is essential that the diet chosen is sustainable in the long term. Many people can follow a more restrictive diet in the short term, but if they abandon the diet, blood sugar control and weight often return to their previous state.
More … than
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being 45 years or older, a family history of diabetes, being overweight, and physical inactivity.
Type 2 diabetes can be managed through exercise and a healthy diet. Insulin and diabetes medications can also be used to manage blood sugar levels.
Dana Hunnes, PhD, a senior dietitian at RR-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles who was not involved in the study, says diet is an important factor for a person living with type 2 diabetes.
“Diet and eating habits are very important for a person with type 2 diabetes. What we eat can increase inflammation and make us more resistant to insulin, have higher blood sugar, or reduce blood sugar. inflammation, improve our insulin sensitivity, and cause us to need less insulin or fewer medications to help control our blood sugar. So what we eat, when we eat it, how we eat it, can make a difference,” she said. Medical news today.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes use the “diabetes plate” as a framework for preparing their meals.
This involves starting with a 9-inch plate and filling half with non-starchy vegetables. Another quarter of the plate should be lean protein and the last quarter should be quality carbohydrates which may include whole grains, fruits, starchy vegetables or low-fat dairy products.
Tan notes that while members of the 5:2 meal replacement group saw benefits in weight loss and blood sugar control, meal replacements may not be a long-term solution.
“Meal replacements generally provide a fairly accurate calorie count and can help limit carbs and calories. However, they do not necessarily help patients by providing a long-term solution to real-life situations. It is much easier to follow a specific diet when you are isolated. However, once you add in social and work situations, travel/vacations, special events, etc., patients still need tools to navigate these solutions. For most people, it is neither financially viable nor satisfying to rely exclusively on meal replacements in the long term,” she said.
Grant Brinkworth is a Professor and Research Director at Diabetes Australia. He said Medical news today that people living with type 2 diabetes should consult their doctor about the best method to achieve lasting weight loss and long-lasting diabetes management.
“There is no single approach to weight loss that works for everyone with type 2 diabetes. It is established that type 2 remission can be achieved through significant weight loss, even if the Remission is not possible for everyone. The method a person uses to achieve sustainable weight loss is a personal decision and it is recommended that this decision be made in consultation with a health care professional,” said Brinkworth, who was not involved in the ‘study.