Therapeutic use of intermittent fasting for people with type 2 diabetes as an alternative to insulin

• Published in: BMJ case reports Vol. 2018; p. bcr-2017-221854
• Main Authors: Furmli, Suleiman, Elmasry, Rami, Ramos, Megan, Fung, Jason
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 09-10-2018; BMJ Publishing Group
• Series: Case Report
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Case reports; Chronic illnesses; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diet therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - drug therapy; Drug therapy; Education; Family medical history; Fasting; Gastrointestinal surgery; Glucose; Glycated Hemoglobin A - analysis; Humans; Hypertension; Insulin; Insulin - therapeutic use; Insulin resistance; Kidney diseases; Male; Metabolism; Myth Exploded; Obesity; Patients; Systematic review; Weaning; Weight control; Weight Loss; Canada; United States > US; endocrine system; metabolic disorders; obesity (nutrition); diet; diabetes
• ISSN: 1757-790X; 1757-790X
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2017-221854

This case series documents three patients referred to the Intensive Dietary Management clinic in Toronto, Canada, for insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes. It demonstrates the effectiveness of therapeutic fasting to reverse their insulin resistance, resulting in cessation of insulin therapy while maintaining control of their blood sugars. In addition, these patients were also able to lose significant amounts of body weight, reduce their waist circumference and also reduce their glycated haemoglobin level.